Another shack year and our 10th year had several twists. Together we have raised $78,780 towards our goal of $100,000. We are equipped to serve 15 more families making their homes warm, safe, dry and beautiful. We are eager to extend Jesus’ love displaying compassion and grace with some special homeowners who are also our friends. Hurricane Nate was fortunately not significant for us and with the three previous storms, we were grateful. Still, we prepared the shack for the worst; tarping the roof, putting in window shutters, and reinforcing the floor with more plastic, Walmart bags to keep water from seeping under my mattress. I imagine many families were making similar preparations.
Two other parts of the shack warmed my heart. Having KK and her brother set up a lemonade stand on game day was such a treat. They earned $377 which they gave to ARM…they could have kept that money. KK told me that it made her feel good to serve someone else and it was worth it. With the money they raised, they pointed out how they could by two kitchen sinks for families. Seeing such generosity and tenacity from elementary students; I was left speechless and hopeful.
Most special to me was Ms. Andrea joining me to help with our fundraiser. She brought her famous cookies and spoke to passersby about the ways ARM serves others. Ms. Andrea repaired her home with our volunteers last year and then served on our day camp staff in Tuskegee. Being a retired teacher, she was well equipped for serving with our elementary children and mentoring our college interns. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote, “everyone can be great because everyone can serve”. I saw this at work through Ms. Andrea. We all have opportunities to give and receive as we participate in restoring hope and building dreams!!!
Our Sweet Homes for Alabama aka No More Shacks Campaign will run through Oct. 31st so there is still time to give. Click the “Donate Now” button at www.arm-al.org/sweethomes or text “give” to 334-731-7637. Your gift helps us finish Ms. Sanford’s home and several more families. If you are local and would like to join us doing home repair, email joe@arm-al.org.
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