Submitted by Edie DeVilbiss
I would like to share a recent event that was very special. As most of you know, I serve as a part-time pastor at one of the large downtown churches.
Part One
Last fall, the Garden Gals wanted to have a Community Project. I suggested a Sock Drive for those living on the streets in San Antonio. The church that I serve has a clothing closet, and there is always room for new socks. As we talked about the need, I commented that not all needs were obvious. For instance, women find feminine hygiene products necessary; people in wheelchairs may require adult diapers. Or they could use soap, toothbrushes, combs, haircuts, bus passes: sometimes it seems the list is endless.
The large outpouring of donations from you, my neighbors here in the Gardens, was generous and remarkable. Last December, I was so proud when I deliver all of your gifts to the agency.
Last week, one of our neighbors asked if she could contribute some more. Of course! So she dropped off large packages of a couple items, feminine hygiene and adult diapers.
Part Two
Last Sunday, I was visiting with one of our elderly volunteers who hands out bulletins with a bright smile. He is wheelchair bound and had lived on the streets for months before he had temporary shelter at Haven for Hope.
Not long ago, he was able to get housing. Unfortunately, shortly after he moved, he had a small stroke. He still faithfully showed up to volunteer and worked tirelessly to get his hand steady enough to hold out the bulletins as guests arrived.
Yesterday he seemed unusually down. When I asked what was troubling him, he shared with me that has Social Security Disability check was not automatically deposited on the first. He is working with Social Security to get this resolved. Being late on the rent puts his new apartment at risk. Yikes!
And that’s not all. He is not able to purchase things for his day to day. When I asked him what kind of things he needs, he talked about food being helped by the food bank, and he can eat one meal a day at Corazon. What else? Well, he blushed as he told me, “I need some Depends.” What size? “Medium.”
God Winks
Here was a specific need right in front of me and (thanks to our wonderful neighbor) I had just brought in a package of 60 medium-sized Depends!
I wanted to share with you that our Community answered a pressing need for man who truly struggles to meet his own daily living requirements.
Thank you for being a good neighbor.