Words of thanks from those we've helped...

"You have truly made a huge difference in my life. I'm sure that my mom would have been taken from our home and would have been placed in a nursing home against her will. She probably would have died by being unhappy and losing her will to live. You have given me hope and done much more for us than we ever could have expected."
— Gail. We repaired her broken sewer line and fixed faucets in her kitchen and bathroom.

"There are so many reasons to thank the MOB, as there have been SO many women and children's lives that have been touched. What a blessing you have been to our lives! I truly feel that the most important compliment that you need to hear is how our women have been inspired by the Men of Ballard to volunteer at organizations that help others and support the tenure of the human spirit: --gardening and maintenance at the recovery garden and volunteering at local food banks. Thank you. My best, Ali."
— Ali, Perinatal Treatment Services, where we did yard work

"Dear MOB, especially Peter and Doug, the two 'angels' who came to my home. It was a dirty, stinky job you tackled for me, putting back the insulation in the crawl space under my home. Also, you raked the needles of the roof of my shed. This work you did for me is greatly appreciated. My shed's roof won't cave in under pressure this winter. It will be warmer on my feet this winter with the insulation back up. My home owner's insurance would not cover this work and I could not afford to pay to have it done. Thank you. Thank you for helping me. God bless every one of you!"
— "Ruby," a low-income senior suffering from fibromyalgia

"...the MOB saved me when I had no where else to turn. Thank you! This could be the beginning of a sequence that could change my life forever, allowing me to return to work..."
— Gail S.

"Thank you so much for the peace of mind you have given me. As I have watched my husband's health deteriorate I have worried about his negotiating the one step into our home. Thank you for the new handrail you installed."
— Lynne H.

"I must say to you I feel you people surely are making a difference in other people's lives. I for one have been given help and love and HOPE to continue living on my own. You have made a difference in my world this past year. By your making my home easier to live in has given me more energy to wake up each day looking forward without despair of what needs to be done. You strengthen my belief that surely God works through people like you. I pray the Good Lord bless you all."
— "Rachel," retired senior woman

"I cannot thank you enough for all you and your "Mob" have done for me. Your help has been a life saver. My phone and refrigerator are now functioning due to Philip's expertise. I can also cancel plans for an "outhouse" thanks to the wonderful plumber you sent me. Thank you so much."
— Joan, Ballard senior

"We wanted to thank you for your kindness and the beautiful chest of drawers and floor lamp. We have no idea how to pay you, so I guess we'll thank the GodFather."
— Beatrice & Arnold, Senior couple

"I cannot tell you how much I appreciate and thank you guys for everything you have done for me. May God reward you."
— "Ruthie," 91-year-old widow

"From the bottom of our hearts, we are thanking all of you who had a part last weekend in helping us getting moved to our roomy apartment at the Senior Apartments. You certainly have found a wonderful way to help seniors in this need, for which there are usually not enough finances nor strength to do it ourselves. THANK YOU. THANK YOU."
— Senior married couple

"I would like to thank you for your continuing kindness and thoughtfulness. What more can I say other than you are truly representatives of the Father we serve. Your latest repairs of electrical, plumbing, and hardware problems made our home much safer for our residents and staff. We are so appreciative of your willingness and hard work. May God bless all of you."
— Dennis, Residence for Disabled Adults

"Thank you so much for the amazing bunkbeds. To say this has been a huge blessing that has changed our lives for the better is not an exaggeration."
— "Debra," Single mom with two kids

"It is hard to express my appreciation for the wonderful assistance you have provided me and my daughter this year. On a personal note, this has been a tough year for me financially and health wise. However, the men of the MOB lifted my spirits with their generous gift of household help and I will be forever grateful. My daughter loved the entertainment center you brought and set up for her. Thank you also for cleaning out my garage (a horrible mess), fixing the light switch and the latches on the gate. I never thought I'd be saying this to the MOB, but your kindness and concern for others are commendable and I give thanks to the "Godfather!"
—  Barbie, Woman afflicted with MS

"My grandson and I thank you for helping us. You men are professionals doing such a great job. What a relief; no more worrying about the lint and sand in the clothes dryer. Again, we thank you for your hard work which was appreciated."
—  Jane V.

"I'd like to thank you soooo much for allowing four of the MOB to come to my home and put up gutters. There were no doubt other places these four could have gone to help but you allowed them to show up at my home. I can't thank you enough!"
—  Ginger, Senior widow

"Thank you for providing such a comfortable chair for Henry. It is easier for him to get up and down because of it. We appreciate your thoughtfulness."
—  Rose & Henry, Ballard seniors

"Thank you for the gift of your help. Ray/Gino came first to examine space and access; then Ralph and Eric came on Saturday, and built four bookcases; shelved many pounds of wonderful written words, wrapped up heavy terra cotta trays and put them in a storage closet (down two flights of stairs); cleaned up the bookcases' packing material; and took out bags of garbage. This work is of real importance to me, but it was only half the gift. The other half of the gift was your matter-of-fact attitude, simply picking up the work to be done and doing it, which minimized my embarrassment at my circumstances. That was an important gift, too. Thank you."
—  Leslie, Disabled former school teacher

"Thank you for your concern, support and prayers. What you and your group do to reach out to others is an amazing gift. It was a joy meeting and visiting with you. Until we meet again may God hold you in the power of His hand. All my thanks."
     Joyfully,
—  Ruthann, Disabled adult

"A big heartfelt thank you to The MOB! Thank you for doing the yard work on Saturday. It looks so much better out there. Thank you for the donations, too. The women and children are so grateful for your kindness and compassion in this time of need. The staff at PTS are also very grateful for your kindness and support."
"Thank you so much for making our place of stay feel like home." – T & C
"Thank you for your generosity. I am grateful to be graced by the good side of humanity." – M
"Thank you for your kindness! It is appreciated!"– M
"Than you so much. You're awesome." – KT
—  The Staff and women and children at Perinatal Treatment Services

"Thank you. This Saturday three men came and did a wonderful job. I am so grateful as I have just found out I need surgery in a bit over a week and having that (bathroom floor replacement) not hanging over my head is such a blessing. Lord bless you all."
—  Jan, retired senior woman with bad back

"A very grateful thank you to the Men of Ballard. In the last year you have helped me two times, saving me two thousand dollars in moving costs that I did not have. I still find it hard to believe there are good people out there. The MOB has given me support spiritually and emotionally. The men I met were so great: Ray, who has become a good friend, to Matt, who for short stature lifted such heavy items, to Josh, who helped with the electrical wires on the tv/vcr. Thank you!"
—  Jerry M., 48-year-old disabled man

"Thank you for all the baby stuff for one of our volunteers. It will make an enormous difference in the life of this couple's baby."
—  Anne R., Senior Services, Seattle

"On behalf of the residents, staff and board of directors, I would like to thank you for your kindness, thoughtfulness and support. As you are well aware, our group home had fallen into disrepair due to the lack of funding and our aging board of directors. You were like angels descending upon us doing all the many repairs that made life much easier for our residents and staff. We will never be able to express how appreciative we are. Again, thank you for your hard work and generosity."
— Dennis B., President, Disabled Group Home

"Thank you so much for everything you did for us yesterday. It means so much to me to have a handicapped ramp; where I can actually walk outside. Your work was an answer to our prayers!"
— Cathy, Disabled Adult

"I want to thank the two wonderful men that came out to help make my kids and I safe. Ray and another gentleman came out and re-keyed all my locks. They also fixed my front door that had been kicked in. This act of kindness was the best. It took a huge load off me. I was already short on rent, concerned about Christmas and then this happened. I didn't have any idea what to do. Then I got a call from Ray. He was wonderful. Thank you doesn't say enough but there are no words that would."
—  "Emily," Single mom, victim of domestic abuse

"You guys are fabulous! How are your wings? Are you getting used to them? Tell all your 'angels' that I said 'thanks'!"
—  Beth G., Senior woman

"Thanks MOB.  'You sure fixed them good.'  Say Gino, thank the guys for getting rid of our sink problems, over sized bushes and those rotten porch steps. They won't be coming around to bother us anytime soon."
—  Brandlyn Kay, Seattle Metro Women's Center

"Bless you for your help."
—  Linda, Parkview Services, women with children drug rehab center

"Wowey-Zowey! I just want to express how grateful I feel to each one of you for your time, energy and gift of help. I feel so much better about my home. I can leave my home and be able to lock it. I'm in awe of the amount of work you completed. I'm so delighted with what you guys did. You did a fabulous job. I'm so grateful. Thank you, thank you!"
—  Raleigh, 63-year-old disabled woman

"I want to thank you very much for what you did for me. You worked so hard and I so appreciate it. It's marvelous what you do."
—  Ruth, 89-year-old disabled woman

"Words can not express our heartfelt thanks for the MOB and the work you did in replacing our patio. The feeling we get when we walk out there knowing we will not sink on rotting timbers is wonderful. Again, thank you for all your work."
—  Esther, Crown Hill working mom with disabled husband

Notes from friends cheering us on...

"All I can say is 'WOW!!!!!!!!!' – Faith in ACTION – it’s the best! So wonderful what you are doing."
—  Colleen H., Eldercare Advisor

"Thanks so much Ray. The service you and MOB are providing for the community is wonderful, and so badly needed. Kudos to you."
—  Kathi, City of Seattle

"Thank you for putting it together and for rallying the men to serve our community. You're doing a great job!"
—  Rev. Barry Pardue

"May your MOB do well — live long — and prosper!!"
—  Rosie G.

"Bless you and the MOB for truly being the hands and feet of Jesus. We will be continuing to lift you all up in prayer this year."
—  Linda B.

Notes from the men...

"Thank you so much for the privilege of participating last weekend with the Men of Ballard. The GodFather really does have good works that HE prepared in advance for us to do and it is our joy to be the ones to get to bring them to fruition."
— Scott B.

"This is a great ministry and I have been pleased to have been involved in the couple of events I made so far. Looking forward to opportunities going forward."
— Glenn F.

"Thanks for getting the mob organized. I am very proud to be a part of it."
— Dale N.