Wendy McGregor, Love in Action’s Director of Housing, recalls reading a children’s book called “Heartprints” at Hope House, our sheltered housing for women and children. The story expresses that when we are kind and show love to one another, we leave an impression that is passed on.
Love in Action is known for creating a hand up, a path forward for those in need, in a word—empowerment. But empowerment only works when we truly care. During the Christmas season, we lost one of our most dedicated partners, Dorothy Raha. Dorothy served in many roles but especially as the care coordinator for St Mary’s Parish in Spring Lake, dating back to the 1960’s.
On October 16, we quietly opened our Community Co-op to its first members with a soft opening — a test run. As the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air and the excitement of what was years in the making mounted, people began to pour in, first volunteers and then the first few Co-op members!
The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it. These words come to us from John’s reflections about the life of Jesus. I love to think of the 150 volunteers who served together in 2019 and marvel how that number has grown to 400.
Success can be measured in lots of ways. Thank-you’s may be some of our favorites. Dave Lankhorst has volunteered at his church, delivering appliances to Love in Action clients for over two decades.
Stephen, a husband and father shares: “We had to humble ourselves to ask for help.” His wife, Nadia, continues, “We are a family with two beautiful children, a house, and running vehicles. From the outside, it seemed we should be making it just fine. We weren’t.
Love in Action’s Community Care team seeks to love God and love our neighbors through compassion, connection and collaboration. Every person is created in the image of God and is worthy of love, grace and compassion. Members of our community are accessing food through the food pantries at least thirty percent more often this year than last.
“What are you good at?” “What are you passionate about? Have you ever been asked one of these questions? Perhaps you begin a full, detailed monologue covering all of the things you are good at and passionate about.
Thank you for your gift. Lives are changed, not merely because resources make a difference, but also because compassion does.
Love in Action is a non-profit ministry organized as a 501c3 in the State of Michigan.
