Appalachian Adopt-A-Child Holiday Project
Dear Friends,
This will be my 7th year traveling up to McCrearyCounty in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. I still think of my first trip. It was simply shocking to see families living in these damaged homes without indoor plumbing. Probably, the single moment I will never forget was when we brought new beds into a trailer. The mother broke down into tears. You see, her children were sleeping on a floor that was made up of wooden planks in front of a wood burning stove. It’s the memory I have that brings me back every year. I wish I could say that this was just one home, but the mountains are scattered with homes that are in the same condition or worse.
We’ve come so far from that first trip and there have been many changes. When I first met my friend, Barb Duncan, who heads up the organization, ICM, she was working out of a small abandoned building without heat or water. She handed out whatever clothing or food she had to a very needy community. Barbara had a dream to open a learning center. In 2003, her dream became a reality through a grant from UPS Supply Chain Solutions in Alpharetta. The HeritageLearningCenter is presently offering computer & GED classes, a basketball program,a library, internet access and a thrift store. It has also become the main center of activity where people gather for important business or to play.
Great things have happened this summer. A food pantry was added to the Center and supported by Second Harvest. Weekdays, a free lunch was served at the Center for local area children. There were 2 basketball tournaments. A family counselor held seminars on various issues. Church groups repaired 9 homes and built 1 new home. There was a “School Supply Giveaway” and a free clothing day where over 100 children showed up to receive school needs. A new baseball field was constructed. The kids were thrilled!!
There has been such tremendous progress and I have many of you to thank for that. I wish I could bundle all of the smiles and share them with you. The people here are truly wonderful and their lives have been changed through the Center. Many of the area teens are now choosing college over starting a family and adults are earning their GED. The families here are strong and proud but just need a little help to make it in the world. This is one of the reasons why I have continued to be involved with this project. I have seen, first hand, the hope and confidence in the faces of these families when given decent clothing, a bed to sleep in, or a bag of food. The second reason is because all donations go directly to the need and the need is great.
We will be making another trip to Kentucky in December. Over 300 children received presents last year. For most, this is all they are going to receive for the Holidays. I can only help as many kids as I can place with a sponsor so any help is greatly appreciated. (No gift too small.) Thank you for your consideration and please call with any questions.
Lisa Beharelle (770)752-9303
688 Glenover Drive
Milton, GA 30004
Please go to our new website at:
For this project, we will be collecting:
Gifts for Children, Ages 0-16
If you would like to sponsor a child, I can provide the child’s name, age, size, their wishes, needs, and a picture. We will also need extra presents to “fill-in” and for children who did not give information about themselves, but may have a need in December.
Money:
If you don’t have time to shop but would like to make a financial contribution, money always helps to fill the empty spaces that must be filled in this service project. Money is GREATLY appreciated and helps pay the costs for U-Hauls, fuel, the holiday party, extra presents, and fruit bags for families. Please make checks payable to “ICM”. (Short for Integrated Community Ministries)
Miscellaneous:
Food (Canned and Dry) and Paper Goods
Bedding, Towels, Household Needs
Personal Items (toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, lip balm, etc.)
Clothes and Coats (both new and used)
My friend, Eva Buckingham, stores donations for the Community Center in the basement of her home. If, after “spring cleaning” or a neighborhood garage sale, you would like to make any donations of gently used clothing, household items, furniture, food, or any books and supplies for the LearningCenter, feel free to contact her directly. She lives in Alpharetta and is presently collecting items for our December trip to Kentucky. Please call Eva’s home for directions at (770)569-4998.
For this project, we must receive ALL donated items by MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12. (Please feel free to drop off donations earlier.)
On Thursday, November 29 we will load 3 or 4 U-Hauls heading for Kentucky.
(We need volunteers to load!!) Then, on Friday, Nov.30, we will travel up to Kentucky to deliver the gifts and host a holiday party for the families in the community. Anyone is welcome to make the trip with us. Please mention this project to family, friends,
co-workers, scout troops, classrooms, church groups, etc. We have over 300 children depending on us.
Thanks for all of your help!
Lisa Beharelle (770)752-9303
688 Glenover Drive
Milton, GA 30004
-To see pictures of the Heritage Learning, please go to .
-McCrearyCounty currently has an unemployment rate of 11.2% making it the county with the highest rate of unemployment in the state. According to the Consolidated Planning Program for McCrearyCounty schools, 87% of the children in this area live in poverty.