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| Program brings holidays to families in need |
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| News | |||
| Written by Aaron Cedeño | |||
| Wednesday, 02 December 2009 09:00 | |||
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In the 12 years that Debbie Randolph has been involved with the “From the Heart” program, she’s collected many stories. While all of them are heartwarming and filled with the spirit of charity and hope, Randolph admits that some do tend to stand out from the crowd. One in particular resonates so deeply with her that she still finds it difficult to keep the tears from forming in her eyes when she thinks of it – despite the fact that it takes place during the holiday season of 2002. “Every year, it’s like there’s a story,” Randolph said. “One that’s just a ‘wow’ story.”  Like any good story, this one deserves a little background. Twelve years ago, the Ministerial Alliance – a local collaboration of churches – came to Randolph and asked her sisters in the Iota Eta sorority if they could take over administration of “From the Heart.” The pastor in charge was leaving the area, and thought the sisterhood would be a good fit. Each year, “From the Heart” collects the information of families in need to help them provide their children with a Christmas to remember. Be it new clothes and shoes, or perhaps a new toy or bike, the program has made Christmas morning special for hundreds of local families since its inception. The information they collect is then distributed through local churches, frequently taking shape in the form of their angel tree, as well as to local service organizations, the Agape Food Pantry and other individuals. Upon gathering their items, the presents are then dropped off at Louisburg’s First Baptist Church, which is also utilized as a pick-up site for the families. Randolph and her sisters voted on it, and agreed to take over the program. It’s been a true labor of love ever since. Though the group transferred sororities five years ago, to Beta Sigma Phi, the program itself remained unchanged. In fact, it’s grown steadily as more families have stepped forward to ask for help. It’s an experience that can teach one to value the little things in life, and the impact they can have, Randolph said. Such was the case in 2002. On the surface, it seemed like just another “From the Heart” success story. A mother had come to Randolph with a request for help, and the organization answered. A few days before Christmas, she arrived at First Baptist Church and left not only with an armload of gifts for her daughters, but also a carload of food. It was almost enough to make her feel like she could give her kids the perfect Christmas, Randolph said. But the mother felt like there was just one thing missing. No Christmas meal could be complete without mashed potatoes, and so she went about trying to find the money for a trip to the store. As she prepared to get in the car, however, she realized that she had missed an item when unloading it just moments before. Something that had gone entirely unnoticed amid the other excitement. There, on the car seat, sat a sack of Idaho’s finest. All she could do was sit down and weep, giving thanks that her family would have a real, honest to goodness Christmas during a tumultuous time in their lives. These are things that most of us take for granted, Randolph said, but to others they can make all the difference. “It was just like, ‘Oh my gosh,’” she said, tearing up as she recounted the story. “Those are the special things.” Art Walsh is the parish administrator at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Wea, where his parish has a close relationship with “From the Heart.” Last year, he said, their small parish helped four large families. The angels on their Angel Tree, each bearing a request for a different item, were gone so quickly that they had parishioners searching for other ways to reach out. “It was amazing,” he said. “I told Debbie this year ‘The need is out there. We can provide more assistance to more of these families.’” Walsh’s story is not an unfamiliar one locally, where members of the community seem to always answer the call of those in need. Randolph has seen it too many times to count. “They’re our special angels,” Randolph said of the various organizations and individuals who come to them looking for a way to help. “Without them, we wouldn’t be where we’re at.” For more information on “From the Heart,” contact Debbie Randolph at 837-5173.
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