Sumter Fireside Fund helps assist influx of those in need during still-cold nights
There is a scene in the movie "Groundhog Day" where Phil (Bill Murray) asks himself, "If I have to live the same day over and over, why did it have to be this one?"
If you have seen the movie, the cast is present for the Groundhog Day ceremony on a frigid day with a blizzard on the horizon. Not many would choose such a cold day in such circumstances. February has that vibe about it, too. Each time we get a little taste of warm weather, we are all too quickly reminded that we have yet weeks of winter ahead.
Nothing impacts our day at the Crisis Relief Ministry like cold weather. If the temperatures dip, our lines are always longer. Many of the clients who have not visited us so far this winter for heating needs are finding their way to our offices. Kerosene may be the most requested assistance we provide during these months, as it supplies an immediate form of heat and directly impacts the well-being of the client.
Recently, a senior lady in her mid-60s requested kerosene. Her income is below $1,000 monthly. With kerosene costing $6 to $7 a gallon, many clients are spending $200 or more monthly just to stay warm. The client's budget was very modest, and she was struggling to make ends meet. It was not a difficult decision to help her. However, with the cold weather that day, the crowd was very large and pressed us to get through every interview before closing.
We began concluding her interview with just around 15 minutes to go before closing. She was delighted, but then I realized that she had asked for food and clothes early that morning. Now, after being in our offices for several hours, it was time to honor that request even, but the volunteers in our warehouse had already gone home for the day. After several hours at a frenetic pace, I was ready to be done, ready to take a break. I could not send her away though. I met her in the warehouse, past our closing time, to help her get food and clothing. I was tired and ready to rush through the process and end the day. She picked out her clothing rather quickly, and we loaded her bags. I was thankful it went quickly, now 20 minutes after closing. Selfishly, I was glad it was over for the day.
As we loaded the car, she gleefully shared, "I am going to pick up my kerosene right now. Look at these clothes and all of this food. I am so hungry. You people here are beautiful and I love all of you."
It is quite humbling, is all I can say, having my perspective rearranged by a divine moment of grace.
Thank you for contributing to the Fireside Fund and supporting Sumter United Ministries. You are making a difference!
Kevin Howell is the director of the Crisis Relief Ministry at Sumter United Ministries.
ABOUT THE FIRESIDE FUND
Each winter since 1969, The Sumter Item has run a fundraiser to collect money from its readers to be donated entirely to Sumter United Ministries.
The faith-based nonprofit provides emergency and life-rebuilding services ranging from food, shelter and clothing to final notice bill pay, access to educational opportunities and a medical clinic. The Sumter Item recognizes and appreciates every ministry their staff and volunteers run, but the Fireside Fund was created to focus on one area that becomes critical for the next few months: heat.
Every penny donated will directly help people who live in Sumter by preventing heating services from being turned off, allowing access to propane or other heating sources and, when enough funding is available and the need is there, funding long-term housing fixes to make homes more efficient.
IN HONOR OF
Each year, The Item's leadership team picks a person who has recently passed away to which the year's campaign will be dedicated. The person honored is someone who made a positive impact in the community, whether through service or philanthropy, business or community leadership.
If you think about the impact the Rev. William Samuel Randolph imparted in terms of civic service, entrepreneurialism, faith leadership and human rights, he checked all the boxes.
The now-late uncle of current Sumter City Councilman James B. Blassingame moved to Sumter to attend Morris College. His legacy is as a pastor of First Baptist Missionary Church for 47 years, owner and operator of Randolph General Construction Co. and city councilman from 1987 to 2008, including mayor pro tempore for 19 of those years. His civil rights legacy is the 1961 S.C. Supreme Court case that, while he was arrested 11 times in the fight for racial equality, was pivotal in charges being dropped for several civil rights activists.
Randolph died Sept. 17 at the age of 88.
New donations as of Feb. 6: Willow Grove A.M.E. Church, $250; and Council of Garden Clubs of Sumter, $100.