JLC's ABCD's Event is "Best Thing Ever!"

A few weeks ago Josh Whitlock, Director of Ezekiel Ministries, attended the Junior League of Columbia's ABCD's event. Here's what he had to say after everything was said and done...

I'm so thankful that our good friend, Miss Sandee Hensley from Jubilee Academy, included us in the Junior League's Annual event ABCD's for kids this year. I am very blessed to have been a part of it. I am currently the Director at Ezekiel Ministries and we hope to get involved again next year. As most of you know, the Junior League organizes an event at Wal-mart every year that provides some essentials for kids who are in great need and very underprivileged. Kids receive a coat, shoes, socks, a book, and a recipe and all the ingredients for a healthy meal for family. What a great idea!

I brought an 11-year old boy, Jaquaris, whose mother had to work, so I got to experience the whole thing first hand. My favorite part of the day was that some brilliant individual came up with the idea of having a personal shopper for each family. I think that is the best thing ever! I had an entire list of things Jaquaris had to find, but I never even had to look at it. Our personal shopper not only found and carted all of Jaquaris's items, they treated this boy like a king, and made what would normally be a pretty stressful situation, fun and easy for him. I am so thankful. Even if I could find a place that had this service, I am sure they couldn't do this job with the care and love for these families the Junior League showed our kids and their families today.

It's really awesome that the kids got the royal treatment for once, but the bigger picture is that some of the main staples parents have to buy his time of year were taken care of. These parents span from all different spectrum of life. All are in poverty, but most for different reasons. Some are just single parents with no education working hard to make ends meet. Some suffer from addiction and their low income and decision-making skills are held captive by their addictions. Others are have been beaten down by life so much that they have given up hope.

In the Bible we are told, so many times, we are to care for the fatherless and the widows. We are so thrilled to have partners, like the Junior League of Columbia, who share in our mission to be the hands and feet of Christ in our community. The blessing for these kids and families is one that makes a big impact on their finances. When I was telling one of the mothers about the opportunity, she informed me that one of her children was just about to grow out of the jacket she'd gotten at the same event a few years ago. That same mom has just recently finished job training at the adult education center and has been diligently seeking a job for three months. She is out there working toward getting on her feet and providing for her family. She has a lot of circumstances working against her, but she's moving forward. I am glad to say that she got a job today!

In some cases I know the generosity gets abused, but in many cases, like this one, it's just that little bit of support and love someone needs to keep trying. It was a great service for the families that got to come. On behalf of the families at Ezekiel Ministries, and I'm sure everyone else who participated would join with me, THANK YOU!

Guest Post By:

Josh Whitlock
Director, Ezekiel Ministries