First Light

Welcome to one of the best places in Birmingham!

First Light Women's Shelter in Downtown Birmingham is one of the best, most effective programs for the poor that I have ever seen (and I have seen a lot). This letterbox is intended to give everyone a chance to see and learn about this program and to be a part of it by helping with the shelter's needs.

First Light Official Website: http://firstlight.digitrends.com/shelter/

From the shelter's website: "First Light’s mission is working with homeless women, their children, and others at risk to create hospitality in a safe and nurturing community, encouraging guests to maintain dignity, find hope, seek opportunity, and grow spiritually, thereby achieving their full potential."

I am a regular volunteer at First Light women's homeless shelter and I can attest that a wonderful, positive and pleasant atmosphere abounds in the place. It is one of my favorite places to spend time. And as for results-- every time I come in to volunteer there is almost always at least one woman packing her things because she has been able to get a good, stable apartment, or someone is celebrating her GED or graduating from drug rehab classes. This is not just a flop house-- it is a place where lives are truly transformed.

In order to get stamped in to this letterbox, we are asking each letterboxer to bring one item from the shelter's needs list below (each person from a family group may stamp in if the family brings only one of the items, but everyone is encouraged to be as generous as they can). All donations are tax deductible and the shelter will provide you with a receipt for tax purposes.

This needs list highlights some of the items from the shelter's needs list which I have personally noticed a need to be re-supplied more often than others. The quantities listed are estimated to be a donation cost of about $20-$25.

Needs List:

2 Bottles of Emetrol Anti-Nausea medicine
(or store brand Phosphorated carbohydrate solution)

2 Bottles Robitussin CF, Diabetic Tussin EX
or other diabetic safe cough/cold medicine

4 packages Cold Medicine (1 week supply each)

3 Boxes (40 count or more) Super Absorbency Tampons
(choose a brand that you would want to use yourself)

3 Packages (20 count or more) Overnight/long Super Absorbency Maxi-Pads
(choose a brand that you would want to use yourself)

4 Packages of Twin-Blade disposable razors

1 Big box (approx. 40 loads) Powdered Laundry Detergent and two boxes of dryer sheets

3 bath-size towels and 3 washcloths in good, clean useable condition

1 set of twin-size bed linens (fitted sheet, flat sheet, pillowcase) in good, clean useable condition

A Money donation of $25 or more


Feel free to be as generous as you can! The shelter always needs things such as travel-size anti-perspirant, shampoos, conditioners and lotions (like you get when you stay in a hotel), so it is always nice to add some of these to your donation.

MAKEUP AND COSMETICS: Keep in mind that most of the ladies staying at the First Light Shelter either have jobs already or are trying to find a job. Looking their best is not a luxury-- it is a necessity to help them get "back on their feet." If you buy your make-up at a department store that gives you a "free gift with purchase" you might consider donating any extra, unused lipsticks, eyeshadows, face creams, perfume samples etc. Whenever there is makeup in the donation bins for the ladies it is rare to find foundations, blushes, powders, etc. that are the right shade for medium and dark-complexioned black women. It would be a special blessing if you add some make-up for dark-skinned women or some "curl relaxer" for black hair, both medium strength and full strength to your donation .

WHAT TIME TO VISIT The best time of day to bring your donation and stamp up in the box would be between 10am and 2pm Monday through Friday. (this is to avoid some of the more chaotic times of day when the shelter guests need more attention and loads of people are coming and going, etc.) But I talked with Ruth Crosby the Executive Director and she said anyone who wants to bring a donation and get a stamp can come any time they want and just get the attention of the security guard who is there 24/7/365. You can also call ahead at (205) 323-4277 for directions and to let the security guard know you are a letterboxer on your way with a donation.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER!It is my sincere hope that once you see this wonderful example of LOVE IN ACTION that you will be inspired to try volunteering for First Light-- perhaps your family would like to bring, prepare and serve a meal at the shelter, or maybe you can volunteer overnight, or maybe your church or civic organization would like to collect donations for the shelter (wanna go door to door asking all your neighbors for tampons? sounds like fun!)

GO POSTAL! Those who cannot travel to Birmingham to visit the shelter are encouraged to participate by "postal" means-- stamp your signature stamp on a 3x5 card and send it with your donation along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE), and we will send you back a 3x5 card with the First Light stamp for your logbook as well as your receipt for tax purposes. Send your donation and stamp to:

Attn: Shannon Horsley
Letterbox Donation
2230 Fourth Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203

FYI- In case it motivates some of you to come visit: there's LOTS of room for hitchhikers in this box... let's make this the most "found" box ever-- the shelter deserves lots of attention and help!

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