A huge, heartfelt THANK YOU to all the kids and families that donated to our drive, collecting relief items for the victims of the fires in Bastrop County. A huge thank you to the two families who showed up this morning to help load and drive the items down, and for the students who came to help load the numerous boxes and bags!
We dropped off the items at the Distribution Center drop-off at Riverbend Park in Smithville this morning. We were able to leave all the school supplies, toiletries, toys, clothes, water, etc. there. From there, I was left with several bags of non-perishable food supplies. Calling a friend in Smithville who has been working with the relief effort, she urged me to take the items to the First Baptist Church, which was collecting food. I wanted to tell you about my experience in bringing those 6 bags of food into their fellowship hall.
When I came in, draped in bags of canned goods and boxed cereals, I called out, "Hello?" because I didn't see anyone in the hall. I heard footsteps and saw a dear, frail, old lady come out. She saw what I had, cried out, and grabbed my hand with her weathered, arthritic one. She hugged me and said, "I don't know you from here, but bless you for bringing this!" I told her who I was and that my band students and families had gathered so many things for the use of the displaced victims. I also told her that since the Distribution Center wouldn't accept the donations, I was sent to her.
She still was holding my hand, which seemed awkward to me, but seemed very comforting to her, so I remained still and allowed her to continue. I kept thinking how awkward it felt, holding hands with a total stranger. She started to look around the room and told me about all the donations that had been brought in and the people who had brought each load. She said, "Would you like to know what your food items will be used for?" I smiled, told her that I'd appreciate knowing that so I could share that information with all of you, and she said, "We have been cooking 3 meals a day for all the fire crews that have come in to fight this fire. We have even had people cooking here at night, to provide healthy, satisfying meals so the firemen can stay strong to save more homes. Your food is going to be used to feed them. Because of them, our town was saved."
I told her that seemed like a wonderful use of the food, and to please express our admiration and gratitude for the job they are doing, working around the clock to try to save so many homes and animals. Apparently, some of the locals have thought so, too, so the fellowship hall was decorated to the nines, with white linen tablecloths, beautiful floral centerpieces on each round table, and painstakingly set plates and flatware. It looked like they were preparing for the fanciest of receptions. Indeed, those firemen will know they are appreciated when they sit down to eat today.
It was so nice to talk with a volunteer who was so personable, and I thought about how many hard times this nice woman must've helped other people through. Her gratitude was genuine, and there were tears in her eyes and her voice was breaking as she was telling me about the work the church's women have been doing in the past week. I found her to be inspirational.
Please know that whatever you gave, however big or little, those gifts are being prized as if they were clad in gold. Leaving Smithville to head home to Elgin, I drove down the newly re-opened Highway 71 to Bastrop. The term "nuclear winter" kept coming to mind. Total destruction. Smoke still coming up from hotspots deep in the trees. On the side of the road, a large pine log lay, red-hot and smoldering. I had no words for what I saw. Everything was black, gray, and white. I'm headed back to take pictures in a bit, and I hope to share those with you this week. Today was a wonderful reminder about the innate goodness of the human race, and how fortunate I am. I hope you find yourself feeling every bit as lucky.
Have a wonderful weekend. I'll see you all on Monday! Don't forget your t-shirt forms!
-Mrs. C.
Sunday, January 1, 2012 at 2:45PM