The Friday Finish – September 20, 2024
New Socks and Shoes
They were racing up the hall and expressions of joy and wonder was seen Thursday at Red Bird Community Outreach and Red Bird Christian School. Volunteers with the Good Shepherd Church Work Camp team from Charlotte, NC once again brought shoes donated by Samaritan’s Feet for people served by Red Bird Mission. Previously, they brought shoes for the elderly served by Red Bird’s Elderly Ministries, but this time they worked with our Principal Jennifer Wilder and school staff to identify Red Bird students needing some help with a new pair of shoes.
Not only did they get new shoes but each child got a new pair of socks. One little boy said,
"Thanks I needed these socks!!"
Some of them also got lessons on how to tie their new shoes. Connie, one of the volunteers, turned to Colleen Sturgill, Red Bird Community Health Coordinator, and said,
"I think this is more for me than for them. What a blessing!”
The children also received a bracelet debossed with Gal 6:2 to remind them of the verse from the book of Galatians – “Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” The ladies explained the Bible verse to them by encouraging them to help each other, and one little boy stated with great sincerity,
"I will always help my friends!"
The Rainbow Truck
The bright rainbow on the Mission of Hope delivery trucks makes one smile, but the contents in the truck bring smiles to children and adults in the mountains of southeast Kentucky. The rainbow clad truck made a stop this week at Red Bird delivering food for the food pantry and school supplies that can be used for packing up Christmas assistance next month.
Mission of Hope in Knoxville, Tennessee is an organizational partner providing frequent deliveries of in kind goods that include vital food and bottled water for the pantries, infant care items, baby furniture, and school supplies for the children. Building materials have been shared with Red Bird Mission Work Camp, and one of their volunteers even responded with a gift to buy a bed. Red Bird has also been a beneficiary of mini-grants from Mission of Hope that sustained outreach programs giving families a chance at becoming self-sustaining.
Tracy Nolan, Red Bird Community Outreach Director emphasized,
“From the Director to the man delivering the goods, their hearts are filled with care and compassion, taking time to speak with clients, assist with unloading and touring our facilities.”
“Got any more beans?”
If you weren’t there when the Red Bird Farmers Market opened at 9 a.m. this morning, you might have heard somebody asking that question. It’s the season when the popular full bean varieties are maturing and the supply never seems to last longer than a few minutes. And, Red Bird Farmers Market continues to be the only farmers market in Clay County that is qualified to receive the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program cards driving the demand higher for those favorite beans and other fresh vegetables.
The available produce for market may be winding down as the summer season ends, but crafters and those selling value added products like jams, jellies and even baked goods had full tables today. John and Elaine sell a diverse selection of wood burned art, and Kesha was selling crocheted items while she crocheted more. They have also items for sale at Red Bird Mission’s Cardinal Café and will be sharing a table at a local festival giving them more opportunity to support their families.
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