Focus On: Christian Help of Mingo County
As the holiday season approaches, my heart feels pulled to the Appalachian mountains. The snow begins to fall and the cost of electricity puts many in the precarious position of choosing between food and heat. Gifts for Christmas are not essentials, but families long to brighten their children’s faces this time of year.
I spent three summers of high school serving families in West Virginia, Virginia and Kentucky through Appalachia Service Project’s home repair program. It was truly life changing to see the number of folks in our own country without running water or indoor toilets which was something I took for granted. I was touched by the generous spirit of those we met who offered to share with us what little they had.
I discovered Christian Help of Mingo County years later as a grassroots group offering food, clothing, transportation, and financial help for basic necessities to people in need in Mingo County, West Virginia. They have no “marketing department” to get the word out, just a couple staff and determined volunteers. Christian Help is a very frugally run group that provides rides to medical and other appointments, assist with dental and electric bills, operates a food pantry, has a free clothing distribution store and has special drives for Back to School and Christmas. One newsletter thanked donors because many of the children at the Back to School drive walked in barefoot and walked out with shoes on their feet.
Each year I box up several items including toys and clothes and throw in a few linens as packing material that can be put to good use. I don’t feel like my little box goes very far, but perhaps this year if we each put several little boxes together the gifts could reach more FAMILIES in need. As I “mature” as a parent, I realize these presents are not just treats for the children, they are a true gift to the parents who want desperately to give something special to their child yet can’t afford to do so.
Yes, there are needy children and toy drives in our own city and please support them as you are able. There are also children in Appalachia, and their surrounding community is not as financially blessed to support them. The jobs are limited and the educational system is lacking. “The U.S. Census Bureau identified West Virginia as having the second highest number of people living in poverty among all U.S. states, the very lowest level of median household income in the nation, and the very highest level of children under age 5 living in poverty.”
Please consider joining me this year as we gather new toys and children’s clothing to mail to Christian Help for the Christmas Distribution. Our collection begins in November in the Gathering Space.
It is my dream to ONE DAY drive a van full of items and BVUM Church volunteers to the center and help in the distribution! I certainly can’t do it alone. Thank goodness for Church.
The Mission of Christian Help is ” To respond to situations of emergency or need with immediacy and simplicity, respecting the dignity of all, in the spirit of Jesus Christ”. Items need not be wrapped but may be placed in a gift bag.
Learn more at www.christianhelpmingo.org