by Lindsey Klyn, marketing manager for MH4H
Many Hands Market’s commitment to give support to a local organization each month continued during the month of January with a $1,000 donation to the Cherish Center in Okoboji. The Cherish Center is a local, non-profit organization in Northwest Iowa that formed in 1999 to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and families.
Cherish Center Staff Counselor Melissa Graves plays with this child in a sandbox during a play therapy session.
The Cherish Center offers professional counseling services at a low cost to individuals from the surrounding communities. Their services include help for those with unplanned pregnancy and parenting/adoption issues, as well as mentoring for young mothers, young dads, and married couples. The Market loves how the Cherish Center seeks to provide outstanding counseling services at a low cost for people in their community who otherwise might forego seeking help.
“We really appreciate the donation to the Cherish Center from Many Hands Market!” said Cherish Center’s Executive Director Jon Pausley. “The money that has been donated to the counseling program will be used to purchase needed equipment and upgrades for the play therapy room.” Pausley’s familiarity with the Market started when he went on a mission trip to Haiti with Many Hands for Haiti last summer, which is the ministry that started Many Hands Market in Spencer.
Melissa Graves serves as the staff counselor for the Cherish Center and provides the counseling for children, adults, couples, and families. Graves is a fully licensed counselor and certified in Parent Child Interactive Therapy (PCIT), which is a form of therapy that strengthens the parent and child’s bond. Graves believes the $1,000 will really help improve her play therapy sessions.
Store Co-Manager Christi Gabhart commented, “We love what the Cherish Center is doing in the Okoboji Community. They are great people with great hearts, and we at the Market are just happy to support the work they are already doing.”
Many Hands Market has made a donation every month to a local ministry since opening on August 2, 2013. Since August, $4,500 in donations have gone to help ministries help individuals in surrounding communities. These stories will continue to happen as people continue to donate to, shop at, and volunteer with Many Hands Market, located at 1019 S. Grand Ave. Suite 6, Spencer. For more information about the Market, please call 712-580-4563 or go to www.manyhandsmarket.com. If you’d like to know more about the Cherish Center, email [email protected] or go to www.cherishcenter.org.