The Issue//
We received an email today from a single mother of a four and six year old boy, asking for assistance fixing a water pipe that busted during the freeze last night. We immediately told her that we could help, only to discover she needs help with other things too but was too scared to ask!
She hasn't been able to keep up with her bills lately and for that reason her and her children are sleeping in the mobile home, with no power. They have been heating water for bathing over their kerosene heater. They are keeping food fresh in a styrofoam cooler. They all three sleep together on a full size bed to stay warm at night.
She is in the situation for whatever reason, some may say it's her fault and some may choose not to help. But we feel led to lend this family a hand up, not just a hand out, and we are hoping you will help!
Our Response//updated
With the help of so many people, we raised $609.12 in roughly three hours. The donations came in as low as $3.13 and we didn't have one larger than $100. All together we had 26 donations! That allowed us to pay the $313.78 due to turn her power back on, purchase groceries, bedding, and warm pajamas for children and also provide a new kerosene heater! The four year old was excited, but the six year old couldn't quit running around jumping on things excited!! He began to sing a song I believe he created... "I can see inside and it's dark outside... whoo-i whoo-i! I can see inside and it's dark outside... whoo-i whoo-i"
It was an experience that we can't explain, but it's because of you that young adults are able to keep helping others!! It changes not only the families and people we help, but it also changes the lives of those choosing to help! Thank you all for everything that you do!!
We don't need one person to donate all of the money. We need one person to tell another. And together donate five dollars. Ten. Twenty here and there. And then we can go help this family tonight! Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing tonight, to the mid 20's. Regardless of how this family got to where they are now, let's choose not to judge. Let's choose to love!
Posted on
Mon, January 11, 2010
by iC Staff