As soon as I found out that Joey and I had been invited to participate in “Forty Days of Caring, Countless Ways of Sharing,” I knew what I wanted to do with the $100.00 entrusted to us. Of all the mission programs and trips in which I have participated, there is one that has always been especially close to my heart: Christianville Foundation, Inc.

Christianville Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization in Gressier, Haiti established in 1978. Christianville maintains a school, a college, medical clinics, and, of course, a church that serve the surrounding communities. The evangelism, health services, education, and agricultural training that Christianville provides to Haitians is wonderful and inspiring.

In 1999, I visited Christianville through a mission trip with my childhood church in Orlando, FL. I was seventeen years old. My week-long stay there was eye-opening and spiritually-affirming. I have never forgotten the horrific poverty that I witnessed, which to this day keeps me grateful for all the blessings of my air-conditioned, car-driving, grocery-filled American life. I have also never forgotten the simple joy that the Christianville church-members had in Christ or the love that this small Christian community had for each other. To learn the sufficiency of Christ at seventeen is a wonderful gift—a gift that I owe to Christianville. ~ T.J. Wallace

A few weeks ago, I met Cheri Brown Thompson, Founder of The Healing Species. She was speaking at my in-law's church and as a lover of dogs and current owner of seven rescued animals, Gary and I were very interested in hearing about the program.

The Healing Species is a violence intervention and character and compassion education outreach program. They use rescued dogs to help teach children a process from which to understand and overcome abuse, neglect and grief and at the same time they teach life skills in self-esteem, conflict resolution, anger management, respect for the feelings of others, and to gain success through acts of compassion and responsibility instead of returning "violence for violence."

As a law student, Cheri learned from personal interviews with violent offenders that they had two things in common: 1) they were abused as children and 2) they first "acted out" abuse on the only creatures more vulnerable than they, animals. It was the relationship between animal cruelty and human violence the led her to found The Healing Species.

Lessons of Healing Species are implemented in classrooms, conducted once a week for 11 consecutive weeks. Professional instructors begin each class with the visiting dog's story of abuse and neglect, a situation to which the children can often relate. The dog is a living example of overcoming one's past and returning nonviolent responses. What a better way to reach "shut-down" children than through the wagging tail and unconditional love of dogs nobody else wanted. The children learn firsthand that even the most vulnerable and most wounded among us is important and does have something important to give.

Studies have shown that The Healing Species program has decreased out-of-school suspensions and violent behavior and increased actions based on empathy.

I am sending the $100 I received to The Healing Species, Rescued Animals Helping Heal the Human Heart. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! (from The Blessing of Pets) Thanks, Tricia Ferguson

This is my families third year participating in 40 Days of Caring, Countless Ways of Sharing and I have decided to donate this year to Camp Kemo.  I have donated in the past to this wonderful organization which provides a normal camping experience for children with cancer and their siblings.  As a camper in my earlier years and a parent of young healthy children, the experience that these children will have at Camp Kemo is priceless.  The children spend one week in Leesville, South Carolina with their siblings enjoying days filled with swimming, boating, hiking and just simply being a child without needles and bright lights.  This time away for the monotony of treatments and hospitals provides these children with a week worth of memories and a sense of a normalcy that can help get them through the tough times living with cancer.   Camp Kemo is funded by private donations, memorials and civic organizations and is at not cost to the campers.   If you would like more information about Camp Kemo, visit their website at www.palmettohealth.org or call 803-434-3503. Sincerely, Susan Locker

$100 to give away to help someone, is phenomenal! It was an honor to participate in this mission. For days we brainstormed ideas and found the list of possibilities overwhelming, but after days of careful thought and prayer we felt lead to give the money to Myrna Ives. Myrna will be working with Long Beach Presbyterian Church’s Disaster Assistance Program in Mississippi this summer. Myrna has a passion for helping others and this token of love from Westminster will assist her in this mission.

Henry and I want to thank everyone who plays a part in making Forty Days of Caring, Countless Ways of Sharing available to our church. God has richly blessed this church and we are proud to call it ours. Yours in Christ, Martha Sinclair

Science and technology are primary driving forces in our modern world and in our daily lives. Undeniably these will be increasingly important in the future. Sadly, not everyone has computer skills, can take and manipulate digital images, or use other forms of technology that many of us take for granted.

Fast Forward is a community technology center whose mission is “To provide technology education and access to those who have been underserved through traditional programs.” This summer they will continue to provide a number of half-day summer camps at Shandon Presbyterian Church where children from first through eighth grades will be able to learn more about science and technology. $135.00 will provide three scholarships for children who otherwise would not be able to attend. In addition, I have agreed to visit some of the camp sessions and photograph learning activities for use by Fast Forward.

Fast Forward has facilities at 3323 Devine St. in Columbia. They also offer full-day summer camps for kids and provide classes for both adults and children throughout the year. To learn more visit their web site at www.fastforwardctc.com. Brooks Metts

About two years ago I heard from a former student who had fallen on hard times and who needed some help. At that time he was homeless and in the hospital with only a few belongings to his name. He called me at work and asked me to help. He said I was the only person he could think of to call. A friend and I took him some basic items. He eventually got a trailer, and some people from the church helped turn the almost uninhabitable shell into a livable dwelling. I used the money from 40 Days of Sharing to help continue to support him some. He has an extremely limited income and is in rather poor health. Thank you to the 40 Days of Caring for helping me continue to help him. Jean Westmoreland

I am honored again to be given the opportunity to choose a deserving charity for Westminster’s “Forty Days of Caring, Countless Ways of Sharing.” I am pleased to be able to make this contribution to the Free Medical Clinic of Columbia, South Carolina. With a handful of paid employees and hundreds of volunteers the Free Medical Clinic provides primary care, medications and specialty referrals to patients for a variety of medical conditions and chronic diseases. The clinic has provided quality healthcare to residents of the community who cannot pay for such services and who has no health insurance. My late husband and son, Dr. Lawrence Jowers and Dr. Gregg Jowers, lovingly gave their time and talent to the patients at the clinic and that it will always be near and dear to my heart. Thanks, Lula Mae Jowers

On Good Friday, one of my co-workers came into my office. Her son’s family had recently moved into her mobile home with her and I asked her how things were going. She sighed and said everything was going wrong that week. Her well water pump had stopped working; her car broke down and had to be towed; and she had a flat tire happen when she borrowed a friend’s car. There was no doubt about it, she had a rough week.

I told her we all sometimes have multiple bad thing happen and I told her the story of this past December and my family. I told her it really is true, “Life does come at you fast.” Sometimes all you can do is hold on for dear life and hope and pray for God to straighten everything out. She smiled and said that her unexpected tax refund must have been God’s way of helping her with the well pump. She thanked me for reminding her of God’s helping hands and said that I had been a blessing to her.

When I got home after work, I found in the daily mail a letter from Westminster. I opened it and saw that I had been chosen to be a part of the 40 Days of Caring Program. Tears came to my eyes, I didn’t have to think about what to do with the money. God had made known the needs of a co-worker earlier in the day. The hand of God was already at work in the life of my co-worker and I was given the opportunity to participate in it.

On the day I gave my co-worker the $100.00, I reminded her of our earlier talk. I explained the 40 Days of Caring Program and told her I was sure that god wanted her to have the money. She cried, hugged me and repeatedly said, “Thank You.” I feel blessed to have been a part of this wonderful program. Jennifer Carr

I am donating the $100.00 entrusted to me to Doctors Without Borders. I am increasingly aware of the plight of people all over the world who have inadequate or no medical care.

Doctors Without Borders is an independent international medical humanitarian organization. In emergencies worldwide, it provides essential health care, runs clinics, performs surgery, battles epidemics, etc. Volunteers frequently work in the most remote or dangerous parts of the world, usually dedicating six to twelve months to each assignment.

In order to maintain its operational independence and flexibility, this organization relies on the general public for most of its operating funds. I feel that Doctors Without Borders is a worthy recipient. Patsy Pennington

When David and I were visiting Catherine and the grandchildren at Fort Hood, she took us to see The Gold Star Family Support Center for spouses, siblings, parents and anyone connected to a soldier that has died.

Debbie Busch, a military wife stationed at Fort Hood, Texas realized after befriending a friend who husband was killed in Iraq, and as the amount of casualties sustained by the units from Fort Hood increased, something more was needed to support these families and something big.

That was in 2003. Four years later, Busch serves as the executive director and founder of the God Star Family Support Center, the first of its kind in the nation. This center is at Fort hood but is not funded by the U.S. military or the U.S. government. Busch runs the center as an unpaid volunteer, working 40 plus hours each week, as well as leading a volunteer staff of five. Everything in the center, from the furniture to the toys in the kids play area, has been donated by groups or individuals. The center relies 100 percent on monetary donations for their operating budget. “We are a total support center,” Busch said. “We continue to reach out to these families and let them know that we care.

The center has staff offices and brightly painted rooms for children to play in during support group meetings. The main meeting room includes an array of plump couches, chairs and soothing paintings. One hallway wall is devoted to fliers, pamphlets, and books on grief and loss. A full kitchen is in the works of being installed, with all appliances and labor donated. Busch is working fervently on raising funds for a special bereavement summer camp for the children of the fallen soldiers.

We felt this was a most worthwhile group and were pleased we could donate the money entrusted to us. Ruth and David Gettys

This is our second time being asked to participate in the Forty Days of Caring program of Westminster Presbyterian Church. This time, we decided to give our matching contribution to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This is a project that has been very close to our hearts since our oldest daughter, Dana, was in college. She was very involved in ESA service sorority, and, their major fundraiser went to one of two places, one of them being St. Jude. Because of their continued support, St. Jude has a floor dedicated to them.

As everyone knows, this is the world’s premier center for research and treatment of catastrophic diseases in children and was founded by Danny Thomas in 1962. It is primarily funded by volunteer contributions. Families never pay for expenses not covered by insurance, and those without insurance are never asked to pay for treatment.

As the parents of two healthy daughters, and two healthy granddaughters, we feel privileged to play a small part in helping the more than 500 patients who are seen annually at St. Jude.

Thank you for the opportunity you have again given us. Sincerely, Sharon and Henry Strohecker

Thank you for giving Mike and me the opportunity to be part of the 2007 campaign of caring. Having tutored in the after school program at H.B. Rhame Elementary School for the past three years, I have decided to give the $100 to help purchase materials for the mentor program at that school. The mentor program matches a caring adult with a child in hopes of building a trusting relationship that will improve the child’s performance at school and have a positive impact on his/her family at home. This program serves several children at the school named for our own “Bee” Rhame. Ms. Linda Wilson, who coordinates this program, said that she can’t wait to go out and replace some of the worn out games and materials stored in her closet for the mentors to use. She sends her sincere thanks and appreciation to Westminster Church for this much needed gift.

Again, thank you for allowing us to be a part of this year’s “40 Days of Caring.” Sincerely yours, Mary Carol and Mike McDonald

Many charities were considered between receiving the check and reaching the time when a decision must be made and action taken. I believed that something would happen to let me know where the money should go. On May 11, at Tucker Nursing Care Center, where I work as a social worker, I attended a presentation by Annie Kumar, a certified Music Thanatologist, who bring comfort and respite to the bedside of the dying and their loved ones through the use of prescriptive music. Combining the ancient, soothing sounds of Gregorian Chant with harp and voice, Annie responds to specific emotional, spiritual, and physiological needs of her patients through the offering of contemplative, sung prayer. Her music often reduces the need for pain medications, helps soothe fears, anxieties, restlessness, agitation, and much more. Annie’s personality and music were powerful and she had a lasting effect on everyone in the audience. We learned that Annie does not charge a fee for her work with patients in hospitals, nursing homes, their own homes, or hospices. Contributions can be made to the Music Thanatology Fund of the organization, Joy in the Mourning Center, to help with the expenses of her work. Before the presentation was over, I knew that the money should go to support this important work. When I told her about the 40 Days of Caring program and of my decision, she indicated that this was an answer to prayer.

I am grateful that I had the opportunity to participate in the 40 Days of Caring Program. Miriam Whisnant

First of all, I would like to thank the anonymous donor for the $100.00, that gave me the opportunity to increase the gift and help 5 families.

After much thought and prayer I decided to give to Heifer International. This is a wonderful program that allows the families helped, in time, help other families.

I was able to purchase 1 goat, 1 hive of honeybees, and 3 flocks of Chicks. These gifts will enable these families to eat more nutritious meals and in time increase their income.

This is a program, I feel, that really lets you “get your monies worth.”

My prayers go with these gifts. Thanks again for this opportunity. Libby Rhame

I sent my $100 to Sharing God’s Love, an Irmo based charity helping those in need. I think their name says it all. Thank you, Bruce Holland

I gave the $100.00 to my daughter, Melissa Knight, (married in this church in 1990). She has spent most of her adult years overseas (Africa and Haiti). She is presently in Ghana and attends the Elim International Church. She gave the money to the church from the Westminster Church. It was used to help Pastor Felix Arthur get electricity installed in his house. His house is also used to educate some of the children at the Elim Christian Center in Abokobi, Ghana. Jim Bush

When my church sent me a letter, to donate $100s I thought about all of the possible places I could give it to, for a couple of days. One day as I was checking my blood sugar, to see if it was low, on my dad’s glucometer I knew where I wanted to donate the $100s to, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation

Many people in my church have diabetes, and one person at my school has it. It’s not a pretty sight to see him prick his finger either.

I hope this little amount of money will help in some way. Sincerely, Amber Parnell

I believe firefighters and police men and women are generally underpaid and under appreciated for the work they do. Therefore, when I learned that a 12 year old child in Irmo School District 5 (who is the son of an Irmo firefighter) had been too ill to attend school since October last year from a condition yet to be determined and has been in and out of the hospital on numerous occasions incurring very high medical bills, I was inclined to share the $100.00 given me for the 40 Days of Caring, Countless Ways of Sharing with that family.

Then my decision was confirmed when I learned the father also had medical problems and had been in and out of the hospital a couple of times and still on limited work duty.

I presented the $100.00 to the firefighter in person and he was very grateful

Thank you for allowing me to participate in the 40 Days of Caring, Countless Ways of Sharing which enabled me to honor what I believe to be a very deserving local family. Norma Tays

I decided to give my $100 to the Free Medical Clinic on Harden Street. When I went there with my confirmation class to do a mission project, the doctor told us about how much it cost to buy medicine for all the people there. When I went back to give them the money, they were very happy. They told me how much medicine that would buy for so many sick people. That is why I gave them the $100. Signed, Mary Elise Anderson

John never heard his parents say “I love you.” John was the victim of repeated emotional and physical abuse. Therefore, I decided to send the $100 from 100 days of caring so John could go to summer camp where he learned that God loved him. John was overjoyed to know that his life had value-that he wasn’t just something to hit or yell at. John’s camp experience had an even deeper, more far-reaching impact than he had ever realized.

I feel that this experience is a worthy cause. Louise Wilson

My money went to the foundation, SCOA Cares. The South Carolina Oncology Association always need funds to help people not eligible for Medicaid pay for their cancer medicine. Their oral medication cost so much beyond their co-pay that they may even need transportation to the treatment or food for their families. The foundation provides concrete services to families in crisis. Carolyn Lowe

I decided to help a child from our community attend our summer camps in June. I have enclosed a check for $120.00 to provide scholarships for three children. Thank you for the opportunity to share. Howard Nichols

I appreciate very much being selected to participate in the Forty Days of Sharing at Westminster. I have selected the Harvest Hope Food Bank to receive my $100.00. They were also asked to designate the entire amount for their Kids Café program. As a volunteer with “Mr. Bee’s Kids Café” at Westminster, I have seen first hand the amount we have received from Harvest Hope to help us feed our children every Thursday. Also, we are not the only church that receives help with this same type of program, in addition to countless others in the Columbia Area that receive aid that is desperately needed. They should be recommended for all of their efforts to help the needy. Jerry Rhodes

I was pleased to be asked to participate in this years giving campaign.

It just so happened that, Jo Hancock, a good friend and co-worker of Virginia was at the house for dinner. She is a social worker at South Carolina Oncology. I told her about the campaign and if she knew of a patient who really needed help. Here is the story from Jo:

The patient is a middle-aged female who has had breast cancer for about three years. Since her diagnosis, she has lost her job and was without health insurance for about a year. She has been on multiple medications for her illness and has required assistance in getting them.. She is trying to maintain her house hold bills. She was in jeopardy of her power being cut off. It will also help with other miscellaneous expenses. There has been little support or contact with her family this will help her so much.

Catastrophic illnesses affect every aspect of one’s life. I am glad that this patient received such a needed blessing. Sincerely, Jimmy Crooks

I gave my money to Fairfield Animal Rescue to spay and neuter pets for those who can’t afford the cost. Science proves that having a companion animal around makes people happier.

Thanks for picking me for this project. Thomas Ruple

On April 5^th this year, I received an email from Marcia’s sister-in-law, Donna Manhart, telling us of the upcoming 2007 Angelman Syndrome Foundation’s National Walk-a-Thon in Dallas, Texas. Our nephew, Douglas Joseph, “DJ”, suffers from this extremely rare and often undiagnosed syndrome. DJ is now an otherwise healthy 16 year old and the apple of his parent’s eyes. Doug and Donna share a home in Dallas with DJ and their 22 year old daughter Chelsie.

Angelman’s Syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes a variety of neurological problems including developmental delay, seizures, speech impairment and problems with movement and balance. As of the early 2000s, there were only about 1,000 to 5,000 known cases of the syndrome in the United States. The Angelman Syndrome Foundation seeks to improve the lives of individuals with AS and their families. Through education, information exchange and support for research, individuals, families, healthcare and education professionals benefit from a greater understanding of AS and improved therapies and treatments. The goal is prevention and cure. The ASF National Walk-a-Thon will bring them one step closer to realizing this dream.

On May 19, “DJ’s Walkers” will participate in the walk-a-thon with a fundraising goal of $1,000. With the help of generous givers such as our own 4o Days of Caring, they have already exceeded this goal with a total of ever $2,000 thus far for this worthy cause. I thank God and my church for the $100 given me to add to my own donation. Donna has contacted me asking me to send a special thanks to our church: “We never know when and where the hand of God will reach out and touch our lives. This gift from your church is very special to me and will always be treasured.” If you would like to meet DJ and learn more about AS, please go to: http://www.firstgiving.com/djmanhart Gary McKeever

Several Saturdays ago, Kathy and I were discussing what charitable cause should receive the $100. The door bell rang and it was a HVAC technician from Midland Air who came to our home to service our heating/air conditioning system. I was struck by the professionalism and manners that the technician possessed for such a young age.

Jason Joyner was not yet 30 years old and during a discussion, I discovered that Jason and his wife, had four children: a six year old; twins of eight months; and a four month old infant who they adopted from Jason’s sister-in-law because she was not able to care for a baby. The Joyner family had three babies in diapers with a monthly diaper bill that would choke any family budget. I checked with Jason’s supervisor about company policy of providing such a gift to an employee. The supervisor said Jason was requesting extra work on the weekends to help make ends meet and he would be thrilled to receive such a gift. I requested that Jason contact me if he wished to receive assistance.

Jason called and I explained the program and asked if he would accept the gift. He was overwhelmed and through his tears graciously accepted.

He said diapers were purchased in bundles of 152 and the $100 would really help to buy a needed supply.

God works in mysterious ways and if He did not send Jason to our home that Saturday morning, Forty Days of Caring, Countless Ways of Sharing would never have touched the lives of the Joyner family. Nick and Kathy Milasnovich

     I donated food to the Harvest Hope Food Bank.  What me and my mom did was go to the store and buy some of the things that they had on their list.  We bought lots of cans, flour, sugar, jello, applesauce, and lots of other things.  After we did that we went to Harvest Hope Food Bank and delivered them there.  Then they would bring the food to the people in need of the things we bought.  When the man weighed our food, it weighed 171 pounds!  This is what I did with my 100 dollars.  I wanted to do this because I wanted to help people that didn’t have enough food.  My mom said that all this food will go to people in South Carolina!  Thanks for giving me the 100 dollars. Love, Anna Schumann

As a school district 5 employee, I occasionally come across emails from teachers expressing student needs with pleas for assistance. One such need presented itself last week. A talented young flute player who has been borrowing a flute at her present school is moving up to another school. Her new school has already allocated it's flutes to other students. Because of her very large family, it is not possible for her to rent or buy a flute of her own. Along with a contribution from a local music business, I am contributing the $100 I was given to share, so that she will now be able to have her own flute. Because music has always been such an important part of my life, this need really touched my heart -and I am grateful to Westminster for providing this opportunity.  Patsy George

What a blessing to be able to invest in someone's future--and help them lift themselves out of poverty! As Nicholas Kristof wrote this spring in the New York Times: "For those readers who ask me what they can do to help fight poverty, one option is to sit down at your computer and become a
microfinancer. That's what I did recently. From my laptop in New York, I lent $25 each to the owner of a TV repair shop in Afghanistan, a baker in
Afghanistan, and a single mother running a clothing shop in the Dominican Republic. I did this through www.kiva.org, a Web site that provides information about entrepreneurs in poor countries--their photos, loan proposals, and credit histories--and allows people to make loans to them." Kiva's motto is, Loans that change lives.

We are blessed that Dianne's niece, Julia Blue, has been serving as the (volunteer) Partnership and Business Development Coordinator for kiva's parent group--the SEM Fund--while she is finishing her graduate degree at George Washington University. Julia was excited that our church wanted to help in this work, and sends her thanks.

Our $100 was loaned to Auk Pheakdey. She is 32 years old and a mother of three children, who are students. She lives with her husband in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She operates her business by selling grocery products including Chinese noodles, instant noodle soup and porridge, at the local market.

She usually makes about $5/day. Her husband works at a private company as a driver and contributes his salary to help support the family. Pheakdey needs the loan to purchase some grocery items and utensils for her business.

Eventually, Pheakdey hopes to own a stand so that she no longer has to spend money renting one. She also wishes to be able to provide an education for her children.

At the end of a year, the loan will be repaid, and we will reinvest it in another entrepreneur at that time, truly making Westminster's gift a gift
that keeps on giving. The peace of Christ to all of you, Dianne and David Duchenois

Thank you so much for the opportunity to participate in this incredible mission.  I am so excited to be able to help someone in this way.  Over the years as a health care provider I have been involved with numerous mothers and their children.  I have worked with women of all ages.  I have decided to support the work of Sistercare.  As we all know victims of domestic violence are given temporary shelter and help.  Many of them leave home with nothing, everything was left behind.  This past year Sistercare provided shelter to 663 women.  This is a staggering amount. They have provided some service to 5,046 women. They sometimes can not shelter people at Sistercare because of the violent aggression of their abusers and have to be housed elsewhere for their safety.  I am matching my gift of $100.00 and it will be used  for emergency care when needed under these circumstances.  Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity .It means so much to  belong to this blessed church and to be able to reach out to such an organization. Yours in Christ, Joyce Green

This time, we decided to give our matching contribution to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This is a project that has been very close to our hearts since our oldest daughter, Dana, was in college. She was very involved in ESA service sorority, and, their major fundraiser went to one of two places, one of them being St. Jude. Because of their continued support, St. Jude has a floor dedicated This is our second time being asked to participate in the Forty Days of Caring program of to them.

As everyone knows, this is the world’s premier center for research and treatment of catastrophic diseases in children and was founded by Danny Thomas in 1962. It is primarily funded by volunteer contributions. Families never pay for expenses not covered by insurance, and those without insurance are never asked to pay for treatment.

As the parents of two healthy daughters, and two healthy granddaughters, we feel privileged to play a small part in helping the more than 500 patients who are seen annually at St. Jude. Thank you for the opportunity you have again given us. Sincerely, Sharon and Henry Strohecker

My family has a special interest in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, as two of my brothers and I, as well as my parents are actively involved in Scouting.

When I learned that I was chosen to be a participant in the current Forth Days program, my family and I talked about how I might best use the funds provided for me.  Of course we decided it would be appropriate to use the money to promote scouting.

There is a program called "Friends for Scouting" which sponsors various scouting activities, including providing scholarships for Scouts who are unable to pay for Scouting activities such as camping trips.  It is a most worthwhile program and certainly warrants the support of everyone interested in Scouting programs.  So I am donating my funds to "Friends for Scouting". 
I am glad to be able to help some of my fellow Scouts.  Thank you for allowing me to do so. Andrew Poston

Several years ago, I was a participant in the Forty Days of Caring program.  My career was in corrections, so of course I have a special interest in that agency.  I learned that the women's correctional center in Columbia was in the process of beginning a Girl Scout program for the young girls in the families of some of the women incarcerated there.  I decided at that time to use my funds to help finance the establishment of the program.  Then I worked with them for several months as they got the troop underway.

 When I was selected to participate in the current Forty Days program, I knew I wanted to use my funds for the same project.  I called the center and was so happy to learn that the Scouting program is still active.  The staff is delighted to have additional funds, as their program participants are always in need of help in buying uniforms and other necessities.

 These young girls, through no fault of their own, are placed in some of the most difficult life situations.  The Scouting program allows them to spend some quality time interacting with their incarcerated mothers, grandmothers, or aunts.  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to help them. Julia Kyzer

When I was asked to participate in the 40 Days of Caring, I thought the American Cancer Society would be perfect for me to support. My mother, Alice Ashley, was a very powerful member of Westminster for 27 years. She died of colon rectal cancer on March 28, 1994. Several members of our family died of cancer. This is a dominant-genetic disease in my mother’s family. A lot more research needs to be done on cancer.

I realize $100.00 is just a start for the cure of cancer. Hopefully one day all cancers will be curable.

Thank you so much for asking me to do this for the American Cancer Society. With Love, Susan Ashley Jones

$100 will help Daisy James, a 64 year old Columbia resident, who has worked as a housekeeper much of her life. Ms. James was to have moved into a new residence because her apartment that she rented was being sold. However, before she could move in, thieves broke into the house and stole her appliances which included a washer, dryer and entertainment center. They also vandalized the home, ripping out copper pipes. For now, Ms. James is staying with a former employer who son has organized a fund raising campaign to help Ms. James. $2,000 is needed for appliance replacement and repairs to the home before Ms. James can move in. Any money collected that exceeds $2,000 will be donated to Habitat for Humanity. Rudy Stephens

This year, I gave my $100.00 to a co-worker who has had some unexpected health problems.  She is a young, single, woman who unexpectedly lost her father last year.  In trying to help her mother emotionally, physically and financially and due to her own grief, she almost lost her home.  She just got back on her feet and suddenly found herself being rushed, by ambulance, to Lexington Memorial.  She spent 6 weeks there and was then sent to Duke.  She had several major surgeries before doctors could determine that her problem was ulcerative colitis.  She had to have 2/3rds of her intestine removed and then was broad sided by, not one but two, major infections that were life threatening. 

After 4 weeks at Duke, she was finally, (last week) she was released to come home. I sent her a card with the money, explained the program and told her that many people were praying for her.  I have not heard from her as she was rushed back to the hospital just yesterday.  Please keep her in your prayers.

Also, I just wanted to note that the woman who died at the post office today in that freak auto accident, was the woman that God led me to give my money to the last time I participated in this program.  Miss Helen was a very special and extremely loving woman.  God blessed me and
several others from different genders, races, religions and backgrounds as we pulled together to help her in a time of need.  I know she is home with her God tonight.  But, she will be missed by all who knew her. Thanks for the chance to serve God and others, Natalie Owens