Thank you for Caring for West Virginia

There wasn’t much time to plan.  Before they knew it many residents were trapped by rushing flood waters.  Power was going out, gas stoves and propane tanks were exploding – chaos was all around.

I absolutely cannot imagine.

I cannot imagine the fear that was in the hearts of those that waited for rescue.

I cannot imagine those that were trying to comfort crying children while assuring them that they would replace their favorite toy as they forced them to hurry and leave their things behind.

I cannot imagine wondering what the night would bring.

As we prayed for my sister in law and the other residents of my husband’s home town, we decided we would start asking everyone we knew for supplies and various items to take to the victims of the West Virginia flooding.

We lost contact with my sister in law about 9pm. We didn’t know what was going on with her specifically, but in faith we asked for help.

We know so many people who live week to week and don’t have a lot themselves.  We told them that 6 or 7 items from their pantry, a towel and some clothing they no longer wear would be perfect.  See, I’m a firm believer that even when you feel you have nothing to give that there is always something you can do. When a few hundred people give 6 or 7 items each, well then – you have just created a miracle haven’t you?

“Every single one of us can make a difference.  The trouble is that sometimes we are so focused on what we cannot do that we miss out on the things we can do.”

My heart was hoping to take up 2 car loads of items.  We were planning a vacation for the next weekend anyway, so we would just cancel that and use the vacation funds to make the trip. Many people gave specifically for my sister in law, many gave what they could and many went above and beyond what was imagined.

You see, you never know what you can accomplish until you ask. Not everyone can or will give and that is ok. Spreading the word is just as powerful sometimes.

Because people came together we were able to take more than we ever imagined to West Virginia.

2 truckloads (one was a 26ft box truck) of food, clothing, cleaning supplies and toys were trucked up the mountains and given to those in need in West Virginia.  Do you know that in my heart I was over joyed at the items donated but I’m always thinking kids and toys?

I was saddened to think that many of these kids will have to wait until Christmas for new toys.  I had only shared that with my husband and a generous donation of 800 NEW toys came in! 

I’m so thankful for people that always do what they can for others.  You will never know the true reach of your love and kindness.

I could never list every single person that helped but I did want to say a special thank you to a few who helped to sponsor this trip.

Patterson Pope – They solve the problems that stuff creates.  Check them out and see if they have solutions for your needs.

Verizon Wireless – Why settle when you can have everything

Victory Baptist Church in Bryson City NC – Passionate about helping others and reaching others for Christ

Beth Haven Baptist Church – Where all are welcomed and wanted.

Create Co – Providing professional quality ad, logos and promotional videos

Last but not least Murdock, Todd and AJ for your amazing heart for others.

My sister in law was safe from any harm in the flood. While she lost 95% of everything she owned, thankfully we still have her.  It’s a horrible way to start over, but I’m thankful she has the opportunity.

She wanted me to tell you all thank you! She was wow’d and honored that you would come together and care for her and the other residents of West Virginia.

I smiled and thought that is what Spreading Joy is all about!

Please, take a moment to watch this video. We are so thankful for all that was given, all who helped, all who gave, prayed and encouraged.

Here are some photos we shared on our Spreading Joy Face Book Page. Please like and share them so that others can see what we are doing to encourage the discouraged and make a difference by Spreading Joy!

Rainelle West Virginia Distribution Center Photos

Random photos from White Sulphur Springs West Virginia 

Random photos from Rainelle West Virginia 

Destruction at my Sister in Law’s Place 

Generosity of families helping families in Rupert West Virginia

White Sulphur Springs Distribution Center 

The Trucks we took loaded with Supplies & LOVE for West Virginia

Thank you for checking on us, for checking on her and for loving others.

Thank you for Spreading Joy to West Virginia with us.

We will be going back and if you’d like to donate to help us get there, we sure would appreciate it. We need gas, lodging, school supplies (yep, you read that right – we figure people will be needing school supplies and other supplies in a few weeks when the Red Cross has left and places have nothing else to give.)

Would you consider a gift of $10?

Would you consider sponsoring us at $500?

Would you consider a financial donation of any size?

Are you local to Charlotte and the surrounding areas and would like to collect New things for us to take with us – including School Supplies? Please do and let me know and we’ll make arrangements to pick them up from you. We will give you signs that you can post, send out and use to let others know that you are Spreading Joy to those in need in West Virginia.

Please Donate a Tweet:

Thank you for Caring & Spreading Joy to West Virginia with us https://t.co/jJ9LObAXUp #WestVirginia Please Retweet pic.twitter.com/2pYTBw8BUH

— Marie Wikle (@spreadingJOY) July 9, 2016