July 20, 2016- 100,000th Diaper Distributed at The River

On Wednesday, July 20, 2106 we distributed our 100,000th diaper at 11 am to Jonnette Steptoe. Ms. Steptoe was one of the first mothers to be enrolled in our program in 2013 with her son Isaiah and continues in the program with her infant daughter Alivia. This diaper program for families in Washington County was started in February 2013 in direct response to the needs of the women we serve. The River has served nearly 250 children and currently have 103 children from 77 families receiving diapers monthly. A typical month sees 4,000 diapers leaving through The River’s doors. PHOTO: (from left to right) Our dependable River diaper crew at The River includes Amanda Brown, Sharon Minton, Susan Gibson, diaper participant Jonnette Steptoe holding her diapers that include the 100,000th diaper, and Marsha Garrison who heads up this program and has never missed a diaper day for the past three and a half years. Jonnette said, “I can’t believe that it is me who gets the 100,000th diaper! That is amazing! Praise the Lord and thank you!”

The River's 5th Annual Craft Sale & Open House is coming up on First Friday, November 7th from 5-8 pm at 125 West Main Street in Johnson City. Please stop by and start your Christmas shopping while supporting The River for women and children in need. It is also a diaper drive for our Changing Lives From The Bottom Up diaper subsidy program. We could especially use size 4, 5, 6, and Pull-Ups. Contact 928-8111 for more information.

Gardening at The River Summer 2014

Kim is showcasing the finished puzzle- the hardest puzzle completed at The River to date! It was a New York Times Crossword Puzzles in 2 parts. One was the clues and the other was the puzzle. It took our ladies weeks to complete them! If you visit The River you can see the over 130 completed puzzles hung on the walls in the back end of the building. 

The Joyful Noise River Choir at Presbyterian Women's Spring Gathering May 2014

The Joyful Noise River Choir performed for the 2014 Presbyterian Women's Spring Gathering hosted at First Presbyterian Church on May 6, 2014. From left to right: Mama Shirley, Paula, Karen, Stella, Barbara, Karen, Shirley, Linda, Karen and Stacy.

Women In Hot Water River Art Sale April 2014

Lydia Wilson, artist and student at ETSU, led River Volunteers in an art therapy project called Women in Hot Water that was on display at the Nelson Fine Art Gallery in April 2014. 

Wonder Twin Power: Sister Love and Sister Light by Stacy Larsen

Sister Love by Stacy Larsen

Sister Light by Stacy Larsen, River Director

Queen of Stars by Annie Banaszak, River Assistant

Close us of stars and hearts in the pocket of Annie's doll.

Close up of the Queen of Stars by Annie Banaszak.

Face close up of Betsy Beaver, River Visionary, Volunteer, and Board Member. Note the laundry line over her head!

Close up of the family members in the pocket of Betsy's doll.

Betsy Beaver's doll.

Mischele Hart, River Board Member and Volunteer, created a doll quilt. 

Close up of Mischele Hart's doll quilt. 

Mischele Hart's doll face in close up.

Jamie Rowan, River Volunteer, beautiful doll. 

Sue and her dog Rory at The River with Alex

Alex is one of Rory's special friends when he visits The River with his owner Sue. Rory enjoys a big hug!

Rory visits The River on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 10:30 am. Research shows that petting an animal can reduce blood pressure, calm your nerves, and lift your mood. Rory has done this and more for the ladies at The River.

I Am: An Exhibit of Self Portraits by Five Women from The River- Art display at Johnson City Public Library in December 2013

The River held an art show at the Johnson City Public Library during the month of December 2013. The theme was I AM. Each artist used three words to describe who they were as a person and then created a self portrait to represent themselves and these three words. 

Angel Coats self portrait. Angle's three words were Survivor, Puzzle Master, and Nature Lover.

Angel standing next to her self portrait.

Teresa Champillion's self portrait. Her three words were Compassionate, Caring, and Healing.

Teresa standing next to her self-portrait.

River Director's self portrait was all done in needlework. Her three words were Bohemian, Jovial, and Caregiver.

Susan Clark's artwork was collage and her three words were Woman, Justice, and Faith.

Susan Clark, a River volunteer, stands next to her self-portrait.

Diane Henderson stands next to her self portrait- a poem. 

Teresa, Diane, Angel, Susan and Stacy all stand together at the First Friday reception for the art show at the Johnson City Public Library. 

Happy Birthday to The River

October 2004-October 2013

do a drive by to see the new window display

Don't forget to bring diapers (especially sizes 4 and 5 and Pull Ups for boys or girls) to The River Craft Sale and Open House to help our diaper subsidy program called Changing Lives From The Bottom Up. Thanks!

CRAFT SALE AND OPEN HOUSE NOVEMBER 1, 2013

THE RIVER CRAFT SALE AND OPEN HOUSE IS FIRST FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2013 FROM 6-8 PM AT 125 WEST MAIN STREET. These are just a couple of the items that will be on sale: Antique Baby Cradle hand painted by Cynthia Erdei with bedding made by Debbie Lewis. Pillows hand-made and painted by Betsy Beaver. Shell swan (perfect for your holiday table) is a one of a kind item crafted by Betsy Beaver. Other items include designed mugs, quilts, hand sewn dolls, ornaments, dried herbs from The River Garden, and so much more. All sales go toward The River ministry. Performance by The Joyful Noise River Choir, hot cider and fellowship. Please contact 926-8111 to learn more.

If you have a craft or artwork to donate to the sale, please contact Stacy Larsen at 926-8111. All donations are tax-deductible donations.  WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!

River Needs

Hey River Friends-We are in desperate need of the following items- paper towels, garbage bags, Windex, Clorox wipes, bleach, individually wrapped snacks, water bottles, Clorox all purpose spray. Items can be brought to The River between the hours of 8-2:30 (we are out the door at 3 pm) on Monday through Friday.

Les Miserables and The River

On January 31st a group of ladies from The River who have been weekly participants of Friday's GOOD TO KNOW life skill classes were treated to a movie courtesy of an anonymous donor. We went to Les Miserables and we loved it! We had such a great time and all of us had our tissues for the sad parts. Here are our ladies in front of the movie poster outside of the Carmike Theater in Johnson City. The Good To Know classes are every Friday at 10 am and provide information on a variety of life topics that help to enrich the lives of the women at The River. We have had such good attendance, that we wanted to give the ladies a reward- Ginger said she had not been to the movies since 1981, and Shelia said, "We have worked hard all our lives, we deserve to be treated to a movie today."

Changing Lives From The Bottom Up!

     Mothers in need have children in need. Did you know that a recent national study found that 1 in 3 families struggle to afford diapers for their children? The lack of diapers effects the child's health and safety and the mother's well being and self-esteem. The River is proud to announce that it has been awarded $5,000.00 from the Harris Fund of Washington County East Tennessee Foundation to create a diaper subsidy distribution program called "Changing Lives From The Bottom Up." We will be preparing to start the program by early spring and will work on changing the lives of the women and children we serve from the bottom up!

January Calendar of Events at The River

An Elvis Blue Christmas at The River

 We hosted 50 women to a special BBQ Elvis Blue Christmas Luncheon on December 18th at The River.

 Each guest received a bag of kisses from Elvis, gift baggies with snacks and gloves from a local Baptist church, and a special goody bag with all kinds of treats and $5 McDonald Cards provided from the Deacons of First Presbyterian Church. 

 Stacy played Elvis on her record player.

 Susan made some delicious cupcakes- banana with peanut butter frosting. Ana and Bella helped pass them out to our guests. 

 Our BBQ came from Firehouse BBQ and it was delicious!

 Elvis showed up at The River for the luncheon- impersonator Josh Rush put on a great show!!!!!

 Brenda and Elvis!

 Annie, Elvis, and Stacy strike a pose!

Elvis and Sheree!