We do it all for the children.
In the beginning....
I was working in a School Cafeteria. I would see children come through the lines with their shoes torn, some little girls wearing Mom's shoes to big for her. The children would get on the bus in the afternoons from the Cafeteria I would see them without a coat. I would encourage them to go get their coat, they would tell me they didn't have a coat. I would get sizes of the children and purchase cloths, coats & shoes and give them to the children's teachers. It was soon the needs would be as much as my pay check. I was having dreams at night and I began to pray and ask God to help me to know what to do. The dreams became so intense I even saw a store front building ( just like where A Gift of Love is today.) I met with a dear couple Deborah & Jerry Spiva. Great friends. I shared with them the dreams and prayers. Jerry said so boldly you already have the answer you just have to step out by Faith. I left work one day crying my heart out wanting to make a difference in the life of children. I went to my husbands shop. He knew of my dreams I shared with him I need to get a building and start putting the items in it to help these kids. He agreed to rent a small building and to pay for the Utilities for the first month. He then said to me then it will be up to you and God. If this is God's Will then he will have to supply. Sixteen years later it TRULY was God's Will, because in 2006 a Businessman in Douglas County built and donated the beautiful building we are in now. It has been a great journey I am blessed to be the one God choose and allow to help so many hurting & needy children. In the beginning it was a few hundred a year it is now thousands a year.
Today....
On a weekly basis we provide food for over 200 children. During the holiday season we provide food, clothing, and toys for close to 1,000 children and their families!! It has become our mission at A Gift of Love to reach out to as many children as possible and provide food, clothes, and their wants/needs. My dream for A Gift of Love has become a reality and I couldn't feel more blessed. Knowing that I help so many children daily is a feeling I can't describe, its amazing. I birthed 3 children, but I'm raising 1,000 and I wouldn't want it any other way. A Gift of Love wouldn't be what it is today without the generous donations of so many kind-hearted individuals that I can't thank enough. Thank you for helping me change the lives of so many wonderful children.
