SPRING WISH LIST Q Drop-offs are accepted Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., or by appointment. NEW ITEMS NEEDED: Socks Toiletries (individual or travel-size) Toothpaste, deodorant Chapstick, sunscreen Hand warmers GENTLY-USED ITEMS NEEDED: Men’s shoes or boots (sizes 8-12) Men’s jackets (sizes L, XL, XXL) Women’s jackets (sizes M, L, XL) Backpacks, carrier bags USB-C charging cables Ball caps, hats Fold-up umbrellas, backpacks VENMO YOUR VENDOR: If you would like to help out a specific vendor by donating a few extra dollars, scan the QR code below to make a payment through Venmo. Please be sure to write your vendor’s name in the comments. Thank you! A ASK A VENDOR THIS COLUMN IS A PLACE FOR DENVER VOICE VENDORS TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS FROM OUR READERS AND STAFF. Editor’s Note: to commemorate Mother’s Day, vendor Alyssa Smith submitted this month’s Ask a Vendor question about motherly figures and the impact they’ve had on the vendors’ and staff’s lives. On the following page, you also will see a tribute from VOICE vendor Steve Anson to his mother. Did you have a motherly fi gure or someone who was like a mother to you, and what kind of impact did they have on your life? CONNIE GAITAN, PROGRAM COORDINATOR My mom has made a huge impact in my life. She has taught me how to get through so many of life’s lessons and to never forget to have faith. My mom has always had a special relationship with God and has taught me why prayer is so important. She prays for me all the time, but when I really need her comfort and care, I know that it’s not only coming from her, but also from that special relationship she has with the one above. ALAN HUDSON My mother was the best mom ever. She was a strict mom. She was always telling me to go to school or work. I was just a kid, and she always gave me advice on real life. Man, she was my world! JASON MARTIN My mother passed away on Oct 7, 2011, from a massive heart attack. She was 56, and I was extremely close to her. I haven’t found another woman that comes close to a motherly figure. I really wish I could [find such a person]. JERRY ROSEN I have some friends who could be motherly figures to me, but no one could be a true mother figure the way my mother was. She was really special, and I miss her very much. LARMARQUES SMITH My mother is still very much a part of my life, even though we have a storied relationship. My mom and I are very close. Everywhere she went, I was by her side. When I came out to my parents, my mother was hurt and upset, but over the years, she has learned to live with it. She taught me to treat others the way I wanted to be treated. She still is hopeful that I will give her a grandchild, but I tell her not to hold her breath. LOL. I love Ms. Linda Smith with all my heart! CHARLES SPRING When I moved to Colorado from Louisiana in December of 2023, I was placed at the 48th Ave. Denver Rescue Mission. After about a week, I applied for a case manager, and luckily, I got Julia. She reminded me of my mother, Norine, who passed away on Nov 16, 2018. Julia was caring and able to get me to open up about myself. My mother was also special that way. I also had two sisters that impacted who I’ve become. One made me believe I could do anything, and the other one taught me [how to feel] sympathy. RODNEY K. WOOLFOLK @DenverVOICE Mother Johnson! She let me stay rent-free for so long. She even baked me a cake on my birthday. I call her mom. 4 DENVER VOICE May 2024
5 Publizr Home