Love INC is out and SC Holiday Assistance saves the day
November 19, 2020
Cindy Hembree
Love In The Name of Christ (Love INC), a non-profit organization was not able to weather the pandemic storm this year. They closed their doors on Wednesday, September 30, due to the lack of funding. The organization was known in and around Stone County for helping financially challenged families during their times of need. They were especially helpful during Christmas time. It was Love INC that organized “Shop with a Cop” (now known as Shop with a Hero) and other holiday events. It was a tragic loss to the community.
Jennifer Maupin, Love INC Director, knew the hardship this was going to cause many Stone County parents. She knew she had to find help to get from other sources. She called Carrie Padilla, an active member of the Southern Stone County Fire District (SSCFPD. Once Padilla heard about the Love INC plight, she jumped into action. First, she asked friends, Wendy Youngblood, Amanda Funk, Jane Swanson, and her pastor, Rob Barringer, to help organize the events the children of Stone County look forward to each year. Second, contacts were made to several businesses, banks and churches throughout the county to request their participation. Next, she made instruction letters for each participating company; flyers to post on their doors; was made to explain what the crew was trying to accomplish; and instruction sheets for all the families who potentially wanted to be in the program to benefit their children this coming Christmas. The final step was to send all this information to the participating organizations and delivering all the toy drop boxes.
It was then that the Stone County Holiday Assistance (SCHA) program was fully activated. Once everything was set, on Sunday, November 1, the toy collection began immediately. The drop boxes will be in place until, Monday, December 7, when the toy drive will end. The toy collection is not just for small children. SCHA is requesting that all toy donations be new and in the original packaging. Many times, the age group of ages 12 to 18 often are forgotten or overlooked. They are asking that this matter is taken in consideration when shopping for the donated items.
SCHA toy donation drop boxes can be found at the following locations – Branson Bank Lending Center; Claybough Shopping Center; Central Bank (inside Walmart); Dollar General (Reeds Spring, Kimberling City, Notch, and Cape Fair); El Lago; Kimberling City First Baptist Church; Great Southern Bank; Heroes’ Hardware; Hope Fellowship Church; K’s Coffee; Keystone Baptist Church; Kimberling City Police Department; Kimberling City United Methodist Church; Ma’s Place; Maple Hill Restaurant; New Testament Church; Pop’s Smoke Shack; Oakley Auto World; Open Hearts Open Hands Thrift Store; Southern Bank; SSCFPD Headquarters; Stonebridge-Ledgestone Pro Shop; Table Rock Community Bank; Tequila’s; True Value Hardware; and Angler’s Obsession Fishing Guide Service.
The SCHA program is a blessing to many families in the area. To date, there are already 500 children signed up for the program. The SCHA will do their part to make sure all who are in the program will have presents under the tree this year. Families who desire to be in the program can register online at www.sscfpd.org or call 417-239-4696. The deadline for all donations is Monday, December 7. The SCHA offers to take monetary donations for individuals who do not like to shop but desire to contribute to the mission. Those donations can be sent to Ignite, 221 N. Catamount Blvd., Branson West, Missouri 65737. They also are seeking volunteers to help sort and distribute the toys. Anyone wanting to assist with this project can call 417-294-4680.
Love In The Name of Christ (Love INC), a non-profit organization was not able to weather the pandemic storm this year. They closed their doors on Wednesday, September 30, due to the lack of funding. The organization was known in and around Stone County for helping financially challenged families during their times of need. They were especially helpful during Christmas time. It was Love INC that organized “Shop with a Cop” (now known as Shop with a Hero) and other holiday events. It was a tragic loss to the community.
Jennifer Maupin, Love INC Director, knew the hardship this was going to cause many Stone County parents. She knew she had to find help to get from other sources. She called Carrie Padilla, an active member of the Southern Stone County Fire District (SSCFPD. Once Padilla heard about the Love INC plight, she jumped into action. First, she asked friends, Wendy Youngblood, Amanda Funk, Jane Swanson, and her pastor, Rob Barringer, to help organize the events the children of Stone County look forward to each year. Second, contacts were made to several businesses, banks and churches throughout the county to request their participation. Next, she made instruction letters for each participating company; flyers to post on their doors; was made to explain what the crew was trying to accomplish; and instruction sheets for all the families who potentially wanted to be in the program to benefit their children this coming Christmas. The final step was to send all this information to the participating organizations and delivering all the toy drop boxes.
It was then that the Stone County Holiday Assistance (SCHA) program was fully activated. Once everything was set, on Sunday, November 1, the toy collection began immediately. The drop boxes will be in place until, Monday, December 7, when the toy drive will end. The toy collection is not just for small children. SCHA is requesting that all toy donations be new and in the original packaging. Many times, the age group of ages 12 to 18 often are forgotten or overlooked. They are asking that this matter is taken in consideration when shopping for the donated items.
SCHA toy donation drop boxes can be found at the following locations – Branson Bank Lending Center; Claybough Shopping Center; Central Bank (inside Walmart); Dollar General (Reeds Spring, Kimberling City, Notch, and Cape Fair); El Lago; Kimberling City First Baptist Church; Great Southern Bank; Heroes’ Hardware; Hope Fellowship Church; K’s Coffee; Keystone Baptist Church; Kimberling City Police Department; Kimberling City United Methodist Church; Ma’s Place; Maple Hill Restaurant; New Testament Church; Pop’s Smoke Shack; Oakley Auto World; Open Hearts Open Hands Thrift Store; Southern Bank; SSCFPD Headquarters; Stonebridge-Ledgestone Pro Shop; Table Rock Community Bank; Tequila’s; True Value Hardware; and Angler’s Obsession Fishing Guide Service.
The SCHA program is a blessing to many families in the area. To date, there are already 500 children signed up for the program. The SCHA will do their part to make sure all who are in the program will have presents under the tree this year. Families who desire to be in the program can register online at www.sscfpd.org or call 417-239-4696. The deadline for all donations is Monday, December 7. The SCHA offers to take monetary donations for individuals who do not like to shop but desire to contribute to the mission. Those donations can be sent to Ignite, 221 N. Catamount Blvd., Branson West, Missouri 65737. They also are seeking volunteers to help sort and distribute the toys. Anyone wanting to assist with this project can call 417-294-4680.