Friendship Church aims to help needy students

Published 6:15 am Thursday, February 15, 2018

An ambitious project underway at Friendship Church in Athens is gaining momentum as more businesses and organizations get involved.

The goal of the Every Needy Child Care Bag Project is to collect enough hygiene items to make individual care packs for the thousands of students in the county and city who live at or below the poverty level.

The effort is an integral part of the 40-day prayer journey that began Feb. 4. Journey Director Lynne Hart said the care bag project is an outward expression of faith that gives church members the chance to pray about something tangible and see how God will work.

“We are hoping that businesses, families, individuals and clubs get involved in what we now realize is quite a big project,” she said.

So far, Hart has been not been disappointed by the community’s response.

Just recently, the computer science club at Athens State University got involved. The 20-plus students, man of whom don’t live in Limestone County, helped by placing collection boxes around the campus.

Using super hero-themed paper, the group gift-wrapped the boxes and added a sign to each one that read, “Be someone’s hero.” They then placed the boxes in strategic locations — one in Water’s Hall, another in the Sandridge Student Center and one in the classroom building.

Church member Katia Mayfield, an assistant professor of computer science at the school, hopes to place a fourth in the university’s library.

“It’s awesome how positive the response was from the group,” she said. “You could see how much joy it brought them to be part of something that will benefit other students.”

Other support

Deborah Kulmer, owner of Balance Personal Training, came across information about the project on Friendship Church’s Facebook page. She started asking her customers to bring in items to help fill the student packs at the beginning of the week. Data provider Wow! also recently agreed to be a collection site.

Sandee Kranz, owner of the The Sk Salon, got on board early on and agreed to donate a free haircut coupon for each student who receives a care package. The collection box that sits at her salon is steadily filling up.

The church also serves as a drop-off site. Hart said while they are nowhere near their goal, items have been flowing in.

“I believe we are going to get there,” she added. “That is what this is about — seeing God answer our prayers and work through everyday people.”

In a final push to collect enough products to fill the thousands of bags, the church will hold a community collection day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 17. During that time, people can drop off hygiene items at the parking lot of First National Bank, 1800 U.S. 72, Athens.

To get involved in the project or for more information, contact the church at 256-232-4906 or visit the “Friendship Church, Athens, AL” Facebook page.

Collection Sites

• Friendship Church, 16479 Lucas Ferry Road, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.-noon Sundays;

• The Sk Salon, 1117 U.S. 72, during regular business hours;

• Wow! Internet Cable Phone, 310 S. Houston St., 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday; and

• Athens State University: Waters Hall, Sandridge Student Center and classroom building during school hours.

Items needed

• Soap or body wash;

• Shampoo or conditioner;

• New combs and brushes;

• Washcloths;

• Toothpaste and toothbrushes for children and adults;

• Lip balm;

• Lotion;

• Feminine hygiene projects; and

• Small flashlights with batteries.

The church asks that liquid items be at least 8 ounces, but will accept smaller sizes.