A Season of Service
This fall, we were able to honor three volunteers in our Oxford office who have been serving our children and families for over 15 years! “Their heart's desire was to be a servant to the foster parents and staff. A burning desire to make a difference in the life of a child drove them to come week after week to serve.” These words from former Area Director of Northeast Alabama, Ted Embry, truly capture the spirit of three women who have faithfully served our Oxford campus—Dianne Summers, Katie Vecchio, and Mary Turner.
GETTING STARTED
More than 15 years ago, Ted approached Mary Turner at church to see if she would be interested in helping wrap Christmas gifts for children in our care. She didn’t hesitate to lend a helping hand, but little did she know that this would be the beginning of not only her service to our ministry, but of lifelong friendships with Dianne and Katie. “I finally realized I was being called to help with what I was doing [at ABCH], and [Dianne and Katie] joined later on . . . and they’ve been such a blessing; a real blessing.”
Most every Monday over these last 15 years, these ladies served in many different ways—from stuffing invitations for our Open House events, to organizing and wrapping Christmas gifts for children in foster care, to organizing a storage room at our Oxford campus that houses donated clothes, toys, non-perishable food items, and other items that help our foster families and children in care. For these ladies, their Mondays have been filled with laughter, fellowship, and most importantly, opportunities to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus to children and families in our care.
“We’ve had some really, really good times,” Dianne shared. “We worked hard, and enjoyed what we did, and especially had fun at Christmas. We would decorate the home for the children, and wrapped packages for them, and we shopped for them.”
A GRATEFUL IMPACT
“They were so faithful to come in weekly and are willing to do anything asked of them,” shared Angela Brooks, Administrative Assistant at our Oxford campus. “They truly have a heart for our ministry! The three of them together are the best of friends, and they will crack you up.” Angela also shares that in addition to getting jobs done, they have also been a regular source of encouragement and support to not just our families and kids, but to our staff as well!
The impact these ladies have made over the years is immeasurable, and we are so appreciative of all they have done for our ministry. Their loving and encouraging spirits have been contagious, and they have been a bright light to those around them! We are truly thankful for the countless days Dianne, Katie, and Mary have served with willing hearts, and the blessings they have been through their time with us and in times to come.