CBFNC’s “Christmas for the Mountains” initiative resulted in over $20,000 in gift cards that were distributed to partner churches in western NC to give to help those in their local communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Several pastors have shared some responses from the recipients of our fellowship’s generosity:
“Our cards went out as grocery cards to the 50 families we sponsored for Christmas from our local public schools. The families were thrilled with the gifts and food boxes but they often teared up when we handed them the gift cards. With a 2 week break from school, many wondered what would happen next week for food and they hugged our necks and thanked us profusely for the gift cards to help them make it when there are no school breakfast or lunch. ”
-Tommy Justus
Mars Hill Baptist, Mars Hill
“We caroled at a couple of houses of families that we have helped over the course of the storm.
We sang to and with them, and presented a Christmas card with a gift card inside. At one house, an older widow called someone she knows at our church to tell them it had made her Christmas, that so many people who didn’t even know her had thought of her.”
-Jeff Harris
First Baptist, Tryon
“Our Food Pantry & Supply Closet has a lot of things, but not everything and not an infinite amount. So folks who come to get what they need are limited by our inventory. But now, everyone who comes gets a gift card (or two if they have lots of children). That means they can get whatever else they need, no longer limited to our supplies. The gift cards that CBFNC provided helps the love we show to families be more unlimited. And it is unconditional: every family gets one. The more unlimited, unconditional love we can show, the more we’re being like Jesus.”
-Stuart Lamkin
First Baptist, Weaverville
“A couple came to the church today with a newborn baby, needing special formula and diapers, which are not available at local crisis centers. Thank you CBFBC churches and friends for providing gift cards so we could meet the need immediately!”
-Paul Raybon
Hominy Baptist, Candler
“Our church primarily serves the homeless and food insecure population in our community. We distributed the cards individually with a few words of explanation of where they came from and the love they represented. We had a blessing for each person who received them. It was a day of joy and tears. One lady wept because she and two grandchildren who are living in a tent would have a special Christmas. We rejoiced with her because they get a house January 15.
Another lady’s eyes filled with tears when we told her we wanted her to get something special with her Ingle’s card. She gleefully exclaimed, ‘I’m going to get me some ice cream! I never get ice cream.’ I wish all those who gave the cards and wrote the precious notes could have seen what it meant to those who received them. They truly represented the love of Christ in a tangible way and our people were incredibly blessed.”
-Marcy Mynatt
Providence Baptist, Hendersonville
“I wanted to share with both of you the joy I got to experience with the delivery of gifts and gift cards to the families at Poplar Grove trailer park. Although I could not understand any of the conversation between families and Donna (except Feliz Navidad), the joy, excitement and appreciation on faces said it all. The children were delightful and SO excited. Thank you for helping spread love to these sweet folks.
-Tommy James
First Baptist, Burnsville
“They came in one family at the time. I had invited them because they had attended one of our free Christmas markets. My email said to stop by between certain hours because we had a small Christmas gift for them. And so they came.
One woman told me that she had been out town handling affairs for her recently deceased father when the storm came. Like most of the people I met, she lived in a rental; she couldn’t get home for a couple days after the storm. When she finally got home, there was four and a half feet of water in the house. They lost everything. I gave her the gift card, saying that I knew it wouldn’t solve everything, but hoped it would offer some relief. ‘Oh!’ she responded, a broad smile defying the reality of her situation, ‘This will help me get my grandchildren something for Christmas! Thank you.’
With heavily accented English, the next woman told me that her young family has been in the U.S. for three years as of Christmas Day. Her sister and mother are still in Ukraine, thinking things will get better. But she wishes they would get out. The hurricane brought new challenges for her family here. ‘My husband saved up to buy a truck for his work but the hurricane flooded it. It’s gone now,’ she shrugged, a woman used to challenges. ‘So we save up again.’ When she opened the card, her eyes shined and she replied, ‘Thank you so much! I’ll go buy groceries!’
The extent of the physical damage Helene caused has yet to be uncovered; the emotional impact may be even worse, as demonstrated by one woman who came towards the end of the day. I had asked everyone how Helene had affected them. As soon as she heard the question, her eyes welled up. ‘I live down from Craigtown,’ she said. ‘The 11 people who died were all related to me.’ She wiped at the tears that spilled freely. ‘It’s a lot just to drive through there every day.’ The area was devastated; the landscape changed forever. ‘I’m 43 years old and it’s the only place I’ve ever lived. Now it doesn’t look like home anymore. It’s like all my memories have washed away.’
The gift card I gave her won’t change all that. It won’t help when she drives down the road that should be familiar but instead looks like a war zone. It’s not a permanent fix. I know that and so does she. But by her reaction, you would think she’d received a bag of gold. ‘Thank you,’ she said, weeping openly. ‘It makes such a difference to know someone cares. To know we are not forgotten. Thank you.’”
-Aileen Mitchell Lawrimore
Ecclesia Baptist, Asheville
“Gift cards were shared with the many families in our Child Development Center. At a time when so many families feel stretched thin and financially pinched, there was heartfelt gratitude and even some tears of joy at this demonstration of generosity.”
-Casey Callahan
First Baptist, Asheville