Grab the Torch© Caught Our Attention

In the midst of some challenging circumstances that we see in the various sectors of our lives, there still remains a constant sense of humanity that resonates beyond our reach. Throughout our communities, worship institutions, educational institutions and social networks, we witness many young people stepping up to the plate, to help those who may be suffering, lonely or less fortunate than they are. We applaud these young people who are not afraid to reach out and use their creative juices to set some profound examples of humanitarianism, hope and encouragement.

One of the organizations that recently caught our attention is Grab the Torch©. According to their website,

Grab The Torch© recognized the importance of preparing the next generation for their upcoming role and responsibility as volunteers, board and committee members and visionaries for the non-profit world long before the current economic crisis. There has never been a more critical time in our history to understand and support philanthropy and the global greater good than right now. The students need an understanding and foundation to prepare themselves for their upcoming role in society. It will be a road map for their future; a tool to guide, not to dictate. The students will take many directions, some following their families, some going 180 degrees due to personal affinities. We will encourage participation on any level. There are endless pieces of the greater good puzzle, each student holds a valuable role for the greater good.

Why not think about hosting a philanthropy camp for the children in your neighborhood, church or school. Be sure to set the example as well, so that our young people can see your convictions in action. The rewards will be greater than you think. For more information about Grab the Torch©, you can check out their website: http://www.grabthetorch.org/index.htm.

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Saluting Rev. Loretta Harris-Caldwell, Founder of Blessings in the Storm

When Rev. Loretta Harris-Caldwell initially began visiting homeless shelters to minister to the women in Charlotte, North Carolina, she used her life experiences as an example that all things are possible through Christ. About 2 years ago, she started getting calls from other parts of North Carolina, and some calls from out of state. She brought in ladies who were mostly in abusive situations needing to change locations in order to prevent their abusers from locating them.

Blessings in the Storm is a Christian based outreach ministry for women and children. They minister to the women of Charlotte, NC, who have fallen victim to homelessness and worldly addictions. This ministry has been successful in seeing many souls saved and fully transformed. Blessings in the Storm seeks to be a bridge that takes women and children across the abyss from homelessness and worldly addictions, to being independent and self sufficient through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The mission of Blessings in the Storm is to:

· Provide a safe place for women and children with structure, in order to build a new foundation through Biblical principles.

· To offer personalized programs that teaches life management, parenting, and independent living.

· To support active, participatory spiritual development (Church, Sunday School, Bible Study, etc.).

· To ensure each person's journey will be fostered through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Loretta’s ministry is a “ministry of helps.” The purpose is to come together, breaking down generational barriers of bondage, by using one's strength for another's weakness. Additionally, to come together by becoming as one through the power of the Holy Spirit is to achieve freedom and liberty. In 2009, she won three awards: Bank ofAmerica 2009 Local Hero, Links 107.9 - The Link Leading Lady 2009 and WBTV Hometown Hero for her work with Blessings in the Storm.

A tragedy occurred last year that makes Loretta more determined to do what she can to save the women she reaches out to. A beautiful young woman from Ethiopia named Tigist, who was a resident at Blessings in the Storm for two years, was brutally murdered by her boyfriend in the early hours of one fateful Saturday morning in 2009. Unbeknown to Loretta and Tigist, this man had a very dark side, while appearing to be humble and well-mannered. He took Tigist to church, to meet his parents and even helped her learn English. Tigist’s story is one that Loretta holds dear to her heart and use to teach the homeless mothers and children she reaches out to about the dangers that lurk out there. She calls the women she rescues her “daughters” (although she has one biological daughter, Katie D. Brave and a son Donnie Harris, Jr.).

Blessings in the Storm does not receive any federal, state or local funding. The organization has four transitional homes: Naomi’s House, Esther’s House and Sarah's House are all used for women with children. Ruth's House is used for single women. Blessings in the Storm currently has the following urgent needs:

· Donations of food, school supplies, and other basic household necessities are always appreciated.

· Monetary donations are needed for mortgage payments, transportation to doctor and job appointments, home maintenance, and monthly utilities. All donations are tax deductible.

For more information about Blessings in the Storm and where to send your donations, please visit their website at http://www.blessingsinthestorm.org/.

We salute Rev. Loretta Harris-Caldwell for the incredible mission she has undertaken, in order to reach out and help the least of these, regain a sense of hope and self-respect.

Heroes of the Recession

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”
-Joseph Campbell

I’m sure that many of you saw the commercial by Allstate Insurance spokesperson Dennis Haysbert, asking the question, “Will we remember this as the Great Recession or will we remember it as the recession that made us great?” Let’s face it, things have not been easy, but as we witnessed how many people overcame the Great Depression that began in 1929 and lasted until about 1939, we too can learn from and rise above the financial carnage of this recession, and begin rebuilding our lives once again.

Incredibly, we continue to witness the growth in the amount of ordinary people unselfishly reaching out to those who are suffering, by helping out, instead of handing out. I ran across this article, “Heroes of the Recession” (http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/2010/01/Heroes-of-the-Recession.aspx) and wanted to share it with you. It’s the boldness of these individuals deciding to be contributors, instead of spectators, that make them heroes in their communities. This is the thing that will make our communities resilient and stronger.

I am reminded about an email I receive a while ago where it had two pictures of people sitting around a table holding very long-handled spoons, with food placed before them. The people seated at one table were frail and looked unhealthy. The people seated at the other table were strong and looked healthy. The spoons that both groups had were about five times longer than the normal length of an eating utensil. Here’s the difference between these two sets of diners:

The frail group were struggling trying to feed themselves, but could not get the food to their mouths with the long-handled spoons. The strong group were comfortably feeding “each other” with the same long-handled spoons. See the difference? The stronger group were not self-absorbed and worked united, instead of divided.

Let’s continue to remember those who just may need a kind word to stay strong. Let’s continue to fight the perils of hopelessness just because this economy has not recoved from years of financial decline. And even when the economy recovers, let’s continue to build on those statutes that helped us to survive together and not perish solitarily.

Peace & Blessings Always!

http://www.kymgmoore.com/

Margot Le Baron Collects Books for Disadvantage Children

Drive for others is one for the books

We came across this story about an amazing teenager with a big heart. Margot Le Baron is a remarkable young lady, who wanted to do something significant and powerful in the community. The following story appeared in The Charlotte Observer on Sunday January 17, 2010. We are including the following link, but in the event that this link becomes archived or inactive, we posted the story in its entirety below. We would like to thank John Anderson, a columnist from Waxhaw, NC contributing to The Charlotte Observer Neighbors section, for sharing this incredible story with the community. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/276/story/1183237.html

Student collected more than 800 books for kids who don’t have access to them.

Margot Le Baron looks over some of the books she collected to help “A Child’s Place” assist homeless children with their ongoing education. Margot conducted her first book drive in her Hunter Oaks neighborhood in November. CAROL LE BARON

When young people develop a vision and then see a project through to completion, the effect can be powerful – for the youthful visionary and the community. Margot Le Baron is a student at Marvin Ridge High School who took it upon herself to hold a neighborhood book drive to benefit children who don’t have books as a part of their daily routine. When I heard about the project, I contacted Margot to learn more about the how and why of her efforts.

Margot wrote to tell me:
“It all started in the past year when I was thinking about doing something for the community. I really enjoy reading so I decided to collect books. I found a great association called “A Child’s Place” that helps homeless children with their school work and other necessities. I got 125 paper bags donated from Harris Teeter. Then, I made up flyers and hand delivered them to houses around the neighborhood. The flyers explained that if anybody wanted to donate books they could place them next to their mailbox and I would pick them up, which I did on a Sunday in November.”

The Hunter Oaks neighborhood where Margot lives embraced her project with enthusiasm. Melody Graham, a neighbor, described the collection process this way:
“I saw her on the day she scheduled for pickup, driving around the neighborhood gathering up a huge number of books. She’d jump out of the back of her mother’s mini-van and run up to the front door where neighbors left shopping bags of books.”

“The minivan was full by the end of the day. I later saw her and her mother riding their bikes around the neighborhood to pick up a later collection.”

Margot was surprised and gratified with the outpouring of gently used books that were donated to her cause. “My original goal was to collect 250 books, but I ended up with over 800,” she said. “The best feeling in the world was walking home with all of those bags and boxes of books. The community really responded and was so supportive.”

How did she feel when the project exceeded her expectations? “I got a great deal of satisfaction knowing that I’m helping others and that so many were willing to contribute. I’m looking forward to handing over the books to “A Child’s Place.” A Child’s Place is a private Charlotte-based agency (go online to info@achildsplace.org) with the goals “to provide stable, appropriate education to homeless students; to provide support services to enhance their opportunities for academic success and to provide services to families to ensure long-term stability and self-sufficiency.”

I asked Margot if she planned to continue with her efforts in the future. “I plan to collect books every fall and spring from now on that I will donate to interested associations or organizations. Please mention that I’m always looking for them. It was a great experience, and I can’t wait until spring.”