Faith and family combine to keep shelter families warm

By: Bob Campbell

Sarah Greer is a typical 16-year-old. She’s a student at Forbush High School in Yadkin County, North Carolina, dealing with the challenges of distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. On second thought, maybe she’s not so typical.

With many teens around her concerned with the latest Tik Tok sensation or who’s cool and who’s not, Sarah was thinking of her family. Her sister Hallie was about to turn 1 and Sarah was sad because her grandfather, her Papaw, who had passed away five years ago, would not be there to celebrate her sister.

Then Sarah had an idea and posted to her Facebook page. “I wanted to do something to honor him and Hallie at the same time," she said. "I didn't really tell anyone at the beginning of this year, but to honor him on the day he passed away, I went and bought $60 worth of blankets and gave them to the Salvation Army Center of Hope, the only family shelter in Forsyth County. If Papaw was here, I'm sure he would spend at least $60 on Hallie. I decided that I would use the $60 and go buy blankets and give them to Salvation Army on Hallie‘s birthday. Even though she never met him here on Earth, I want her to know what a sweet person he was. He would do the same thing if he were still here, I'm sure of it.

She still felt, however, that she wanted to do more. She called her father and her maternal grandfather, and they agreed to match up to $150 of any donations she could raise. She returned to her Facebook page and made the appeal, noting the matching pledge.

The response Sarah received was wonderful. The next day she posted again, “Wow, wow, wow!! In 24 short hours I've had quite a few kind people donate for blankets that will be given to the homeless shelter!! I've already received $85 and since we're matching everything, that's $170 plus the original $60! Y'all!! That's $230 for blankets already! I'm absolutely shocked and overwhelmed with excitement and thankfulness. I love being a part of such a wonderful community!! This wouldn't be possible without all of YOU!”

That wasn’t the end. Sarah’s then posted, “I just can't believe this! As of this morning, we're already up to $320 total for blankets to give to the homeless shelter!!! I can't thank you all enough for the support, shares, people who have given money so far, and the people praying over this. God is so good, giving all the glory to him. ‘Don't forget to do good and to share with those in need’ Hebrews 13:16.

Sarah’s concluding post read, “Yesterday was the day I took 291 blankets to the homeless shelter. The amount of money spent on the blankets (money everyone helped raise) was $637.48!!!! THANK YOU JESUS!!!! I can't say thank you enough to each and every single one of you. Thank you if you were able to give money, if you prayed about this, if you donated blankets to put with the rest, and all the people who shared and told others about it. It was such a blessing to have a small part in such a big thing. So many people will be kept warm as it's getting colder. A small thing to us could be life-changing to others.

“Talking to the workers at The Salvation Army yesterday and hearing some of the saddest stories truly made me have a new perspective. I hope as Hallie grows up she can see that all of this was done in honor of her and Papaw. Also to show a great act of kindness to people who are going through tough times. I pray one day she'll want to take part in this on her birthday. I plan on doing this every year from now on for the exact same reasons. Thank you again to everyone, it's truly amazing what our community can do. I will never forget this! In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive' Acts 20:35.”