By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist
Sunday, Nov. 16, the Men’s Fellowship of First Presbyterian Church presented a check for $2,750 to Hearts In Hands, a well-known Christian charity who along with two other charities split the record proceeds from this year’s Pumpkin Patch sales.
Services provided by this charity are based on need and given to clients regardless of race, color, religion or national origin.
Hearts In Hands needs support in the form of prayer, material, spiritual and administrative needs.
Monetary donations are needed for supplies and materials to clean, build and repair and also for emergency hardship assistance for those in a crisis situation.
This charity has no particular church involvement and no paid staff … just volunteers from all over our community who are united to serves others for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Some of the services offered are wheelchair ramps, yard work, lawnmower repair and other repair items that people are unable to do on their own.
Other more extensive services may have to be approved by the Board of Directors of the organization.
Some services are sometimes referred to churches or other non-profit organizations to include housekeeping, counseling, medical or transportation along with home construction or demolition, utility bill assistance, Bible teaching, etc.
Another charity to receive a share of the money raised from the Pumpkin Patch is Shelby Emergency Assistance which provides basic needs for people in crisis.
Over 12 churches, four schools, the University of Montevallo, Am Star Cinema, Dr. Gary Howard, Specification Rubber and another two dozen businesses, organizations and individuals volunteer their time and services to this charitable organization.
The third charity to receive an equal share of the proceeds is Shelby County’s own Safehouse.
Safehouse has always been a beacon in the storm for women and children surviving domestic or sexual violence and verbal or emotional abuse.
Next year don’t forget the Pumpkin Patch at First Presbyterian Church of Alabaster. You never know how far your money reaches.