Recently on a Sunday morning, I was awakening by talk radio. The announcer was interviewing a man by the name of Craig Kielburger. I was intrigued by the story that I heard. He said, “Imagine waking up every morning believing that your actions can make a significant change in the world. I listened on as he told the story of when he was 12 years old his life was changed in an instant. Craig was reading the paper one morning and the headlines where “Battled Child Laborers, Boy 12 Murdered”. The 12 yr. old child whom was sold into slavery was murdered. Craig said he was full of questions after reading the article, who would sell their child into slavery and who chains a child to a carpet loom? Craig was enraged and he began going to the library to research about child labor and child slavery. He left the library very angry. He could not understand why no one was doing anything about this dreadful crime against innocent children. He began talking to his older brother Marc and asked “What can we do, how can we help?” Craig said he knew that young people could make a difference in something they where passionate about and he asked himself “Why not me?” He took the crumpled up newspaper article everywhere around with him. One day he asked his teacher if he could speak to the class. Craig shared what he knew about child labor in Iqbal and their plight in life. He passed out copies of the newspaper articles and asked for volunteers to help fight for children’s rights. Eleven hands shot up and Free the Children was born. Craig and his brother Marc started out in their parent’s house and practically took it over with Free the Children. Today it is the world’s largest network of children helping children through education. A million youth serve more than 45 countries, built more than 450 schools and provide education for more than 40,000 children daily. The list goes on and on. The organization has a track record of success, with three nominations for Nobel Peace Prize and partnerships with United Nations and Oprah’s Angel Network. Its work has been featured on CNN, 60 minutes and many large newspapers.
Craig also told the touching story of meeting Mother Teresa in the slums of Calcutta. Fame and fortune was never her ambition. Mother Teresa said” We cannot do great things in this world but we can do small things with great love.”
I could not believe the story that I just heard.......Then the announcer said that the brothers had a book “Me to We.” I had to have the book. I got online and ordered it right away.
The book talks about finding meaning in a material world. Wow. I thought to myself after reading this book, IF this small child can make a difference in the world, so can I!!!!!
So my story with People Helping People Together begins......
Last year my minister, Russ Adcox spoke and prayed for our church to do something “Big” in our community. Several of my friends had visions of making the world a better place. One by one these people found each other and People Helping People Together evolved. Suzy Pruitt and Christopher Taylor started working on a family’s house that was in need of new roof, siding and gutters. Our minister, Russ Adcox called me and asked me if I could lend some help on getting some volunteers and coordinate the work. Daryl Compton a local electrician helped us on this house. While we where at the house, Daryl drew out a plan. A vision. Transforming our community by helping people with repairs on their houses. I took the plan to Russ and said, Daryl has a great idea and shared the plan with him. Jim Kitchen also had a vision about changing East side and he went to see Russ and shared his plan. Connie Hardin had a vision five years ago about helping people on the Eastside and she envisioned “change.“ Then Russ introduced me to Mike Marks. He works with Southern Middle Tennessee Development District. Mike works with emergency grants for the elderly people. The grants are for home repairs. Wow. With the help of all my friends, one thing led to another and so my involvement evolved and started the beginning of “People Helping People Together”. I thought to myself “ I can help make a difference one house at a time.” We went and visited our first house in October 2008. We officially began repairs on in March of 2009.
So here I am, a REALTOR volunteering with People Helping People Together in Columbia, TN. We are now starting on houses eight, nine and ten. We are presently targeting the Eastside of Columbia. We have partnered with Southern Middle Tennessee Development and have helped elderly people (over sixty) apply for emergency grants. So far we have 12 people that have qualified for grants. The grants go up to as much as $15,000. A sponsor can supply up to 1/3 of funds or do in kind labor.
Our mission with People Helping People Together is to keep people warm, safe and dry. Our ministry started at Maury Hills but now we have branched out to the community and other churches are joining our forces. St. Peter’s Episcopal, First United Methodist, New Harvest Family Church and First Presbyterian. We now have officers, Jan Wright President, Jim Kitchen, Vice-President, Angel Millet - Secretary, Jim Webb-Treasurer. Our board members are Connie Hardin, Sarah Thompson, Aubrey Flagg, Mike Marks, Daryl Compton, Carl McCullen,Mike Bennett, Steve Wright and Alex Domkowski. PHPT has by-laws in place.
We have businesses, government, churches and civic groups working together. First Farmer’s and Merchants’ Bank have become our first business sponsors. The bank contributed $5500 last August 2009. In February, they gave us another contribution of $30,000. Partnering with South Central Tennessee Development District, this $30,000 in affect becomes $90,000. This contribution will help us repair 10 houses this year. Contributors include: First Farmer’s Bank and Southern Tennessee Development District (with the grants), the American Legion installs American Flag on the houses, Connie Hardin, Kile Patrick & Friends present homeowner with a porch swing, Ace Hardware donates mailbox, Shapard’s Lumber donates mailbox post, Kile Patrick installs mailbox posts. Adopting Church or Civic groups does the finishing touches on completing the home and yard. When finished, the adopters present the homeowners’ a Bible. Glenna and Tommy Winters from Columbia State Community College designed and maintains website. Our website address is: http://www.phptn.org/.
Craig also told the touching story of meeting Mother Teresa in the slums of Calcutta. Fame and fortune was never her ambition. Mother Teresa said” We cannot do great things in this world but we can do small things with great love.”
I could not believe the story that I just heard.......Then the announcer said that the brothers had a book “Me to We.” I had to have the book. I got online and ordered it right away.
The book talks about finding meaning in a material world. Wow. I thought to myself after reading this book, IF this small child can make a difference in the world, so can I!!!!!
So my story with People Helping People Together begins......
Last year my minister, Russ Adcox spoke and prayed for our church to do something “Big” in our community. Several of my friends had visions of making the world a better place. One by one these people found each other and People Helping People Together evolved. Suzy Pruitt and Christopher Taylor started working on a family’s house that was in need of new roof, siding and gutters. Our minister, Russ Adcox called me and asked me if I could lend some help on getting some volunteers and coordinate the work. Daryl Compton a local electrician helped us on this house. While we where at the house, Daryl drew out a plan. A vision. Transforming our community by helping people with repairs on their houses. I took the plan to Russ and said, Daryl has a great idea and shared the plan with him. Jim Kitchen also had a vision about changing East side and he went to see Russ and shared his plan. Connie Hardin had a vision five years ago about helping people on the Eastside and she envisioned “change.“ Then Russ introduced me to Mike Marks. He works with Southern Middle Tennessee Development District. Mike works with emergency grants for the elderly people. The grants are for home repairs. Wow. With the help of all my friends, one thing led to another and so my involvement evolved and started the beginning of “People Helping People Together”. I thought to myself “ I can help make a difference one house at a time.” We went and visited our first house in October 2008. We officially began repairs on in March of 2009.
So here I am, a REALTOR volunteering with People Helping People Together in Columbia, TN. We are now starting on houses eight, nine and ten. We are presently targeting the Eastside of Columbia. We have partnered with Southern Middle Tennessee Development and have helped elderly people (over sixty) apply for emergency grants. So far we have 12 people that have qualified for grants. The grants go up to as much as $15,000. A sponsor can supply up to 1/3 of funds or do in kind labor.
Our mission with People Helping People Together is to keep people warm, safe and dry. Our ministry started at Maury Hills but now we have branched out to the community and other churches are joining our forces. St. Peter’s Episcopal, First United Methodist, New Harvest Family Church and First Presbyterian. We now have officers, Jan Wright President, Jim Kitchen, Vice-President, Angel Millet - Secretary, Jim Webb-Treasurer. Our board members are Connie Hardin, Sarah Thompson, Aubrey Flagg, Mike Marks, Daryl Compton, Carl McCullen,Mike Bennett, Steve Wright and Alex Domkowski. PHPT has by-laws in place.
We have businesses, government, churches and civic groups working together. First Farmer’s and Merchants’ Bank have become our first business sponsors. The bank contributed $5500 last August 2009. In February, they gave us another contribution of $30,000. Partnering with South Central Tennessee Development District, this $30,000 in affect becomes $90,000. This contribution will help us repair 10 houses this year. Contributors include: First Farmer’s Bank and Southern Tennessee Development District (with the grants), the American Legion installs American Flag on the houses, Connie Hardin, Kile Patrick & Friends present homeowner with a porch swing, Ace Hardware donates mailbox, Shapard’s Lumber donates mailbox post, Kile Patrick installs mailbox posts. Adopting Church or Civic groups does the finishing touches on completing the home and yard. When finished, the adopters present the homeowners’ a Bible. Glenna and Tommy Winters from Columbia State Community College designed and maintains website. Our website address is: http://www.phptn.org/.
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