.png)
Lumberton, NC — 11/21/2020 — President Paul McAlister, the 1st Counselor of The Fayetteville North Carolina Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, visited multiple care centers today in Lumberton, North Carolina to offer support from the Church.
Pictured: President Paul McAlister and Daniel Penrod visit Borderbelt AIDS Resource Team, Robeson County Church and Community Center, My Refuge, and Lumberton Christian Care Center
With recommendations from the City Manager's office in Lumberton, President McAlister visited four locations and gave each place a $4000 donation from the Church. "It's humbling to see first hand what these organizations do every day for their community, and I wish we could do more to help," said President McAlister.
At his first stop, he met Brenda Hunt, CEO/Program Director for the Borderbelt AIDS Resource Team (BART). BART is a nonprofit community-based organization addressing the collective needs of individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. Brenda stated, "When we started BART in 1996, we attended a funeral almost every month for the men and women we were trying to help, and we knew that we had to increase awareness." As an advocate for those who have HIV/AIDS, BART's case management services offer preventative education and emergency assistance such as food, rental assistance, clothing, housing, utilities, and transportation. Now instead of funerals, Brenda is reconnecting with the men and women BART has helped over the years. When asked what they need, Brenda replied, "We could use nonperishable goods and other items that Food Stamps cannot buy."
To learn more about BART and what you can do to help, please visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/borderbeltBART/.
The next stop was the Robeson County Church and Community Center. This organization provides emergency assistance to Robeson County's most vulnerable residents. Homeless and needing help, Wendy Hardin sought help from this organization 11 years ago. Through diligent effort and hard work, Wendy found her footing in life and can now give back more than ever. Today she is helping others as the Community Center's Facility and Supply Coordinator. "We typically give out 60 boxes of food per week, but yesterday, we gave out 80 boxes because of the holidays! We don't let them leave here without the food," remarked Wendy. In addition to food, the Center also provides adult medical supplies, maternal and baby supplies, clothing vouchers, hygiene kits, and rent/utility assistance.
To learn more about this organization and how you can help, please visit their website at https://www.robesontogether.org/.
At stop three, President McAlister visited My Refuge, a nonprofit organization that gives clothes and food to those in need. Rosemarie G. Glenn, My Refuge Director, stated, "We depend on donations from the community to keep our doors open to anyone who needs a meal, a prayer, clothing, or whatever. It's what we do as Christians and disciples of God." As a victim of COVID-19 herself, Rosemarie knows firsthand what it's like to navigate life during this pandemic. Rosemarie stated, "I have been helping here for eight years, and this by far has been the most challenging year." Most of the challenges come from helping large groups of people, while other challenges come from a lack of volunteers or funds. Despite all of this, Rosemarie continues to serve her community every day.
To learn more about this organization and how you can help, please visit their website at https://myrefugelumberton.com/.
The last stop was at Lumberton Christian Care Center, a mission of local volunteers who give their time in Christian service for those in need. They serve over 22,000 lunches annually and provide emergency housing to individuals and families. After many years of prayer and hard work, they opened a 22-bed facility in December of 2015 with showers and laundry facilities. Clementine Thompson-McCormick, Office Director, emphasized their need for prayers, food, monetary donations, and help. "We have dishes to wash, food to cook, tables to clean, and everything to maintain," Clementine stated.
To learn more about this organization and how you can help, please visit their website at https://www.lumbertonchristiancare.org or visit them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lumbertonchristiancare.
These organizations and the one we visited last week help us understand what dedicated service is. Our Church is grateful for the services these organizations give to our communities. It was humbling to see all the good they do every day, and we look forward to our continued partnership in the months and years to come.
STYLE GUIDE NOTE: When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.
Comments