Fireside Fund helps Sumter woman recover from familial financial abuse

I spent most of my holiday break watching documentaries about World War ll. One after the other, historians commented on the underlying themes that motivated aggressive violence: the simple belief that you are better than someone else due to some ethnic or cultural factor.

"At the heart of humanity, there seems to be a temptation to act hatefully toward those who are different from you," a professor commented.

As we kick off the new year, one of our interviews at the Crisis Relief Ministry was yet one more example of this evil. A senior lady living on her own, an obvious stroke victim, requested help with her electric bill. She seemed "defeated," a coworker commented. Abuse has unfortunately dominated her family life.

Before her husband died a few years ago, he was verbally abusive and even threatened her with a gun. Her daughter has continued with similar behavior, calling her names, threatening to harm her and even to burn her house down. I was alarmed that people who pledge to love you could become so controlling and hateful.

This same daughter has been stealing from her, forging checks and signing up for fraudulent accounts, draining her income from her bank account. It is a horrific ordeal she is living through, but she has taken new steps to ensure the privacy of her accounts and has secured a protection order for her safety.

My heart hurt for her! I was thankful that God keeps a record of all our tears.

The account fraud left her delinquent with Duke Energy Progress, and she was only a few days away from losing the ability to heat her home. Springing into action, we conducted a thorough interview. We talked about family dynamics, setting boundaries and holding people accountable. We referred her to other agencies that could help her. We called Duke Energy to negotiate her impossible balance into a manageable amount where we were able to provide direct financial assistance to prevent disconnection.

She will have heat for many days to come thanks to generous donations to The Fireside Fund on behalf of Sumter United Ministries. Some cases are very heavy emotionally and need an outpouring of love. Thank you for making these beautiful stories of "beauty from ashes" possible!

Kevin Howell is the director of the Crisis Relief Ministry at Sumter United Ministries.

New donations as of Jan. 2: The LeNoir Family Christmas, in loving memory of Walter and Leilah LeNoir and Raymond & Jean Cook, $600; Juanita Rabon, in memory of Bobby Rabon, $100; Sandra Goza, $100; Gail Medley, in memory of Porter Medley Jr., $100; Sandra Noonan, $100; James T. Bradshaw, $400; James E. Jones, $4,500; Joy Sunday School Class, $20; Eve P. Stegner, in honor of Rev. Michael Poulos, $20; Roger I. Williams, $200; Deane Ackerman, in honor of Dr. Johnny Hilton and Mrs. Becky Lee, $100; Frances Connelly Cecil, $50; Presbyterian Women of Concord, $170; St. Anne and St. Jude Catholic Church Adult Education Group, $775; Mt. Vernon Coffee Club, $1,550; Crusaders Sunday School Class, Dalzell Baptist Church, $50; and Discovery Sunday School Class of First Presbyterian Church, in honor of Charles and Glenda Denny, $100.