Over the holidays, so many people in our community have shared what they could with those less fortunate. After all the busyness of the season has faded, some people may wonder if they really made a difference in anyone’s life. Servant’s Heart of Mint Hill is here to say that these generous folks have made all the difference.
During a 10-day period in December alone, Servant’s Heart provided 176 children with new toys donated by various groups, businesses, churches, and individuals totaling $13,300 in value. Parents were assigned a personal shopper to help them select age-appropriate toys. The parents shared their families’ Christmas traditions as the personal shopper helped them gift wrap their selections at a free gift-wrapping station. Most parents know that teenagers can be notoriously hard to shop for, so parents were given $75 in gift cards for each teenager in their home. The parents were so grateful to Servant’s Heart for helping them make their children’s Christmas wishes come true, that many left with tears in their eyes.
Servant’s Heart was the conduit for 76 children to attend a Christmas Party where they heard the real story of Christmas and where they experienced the love and support of the community. In addition, 23 families received fresh Christmas trees with stand, lights, and decorations.
When you hear what an impact Servant’s Heart has had on the lives of so many Mint Hill residents, you may be led to believe that it is a long-standing organization. In reality, Servant’s Heart opened its doors September 2016. The Community Boutique is where individuals, churches, and businesses can donate new or gently used clothes, furniture, and décor. Servant’s Heart sells those items, and the proceeds support Assistance Programs for neighbors in the community. Servant’s Heart also has partnerships that are able to provide various services such as car repairs, food pantries, and financial assistance. The volunteers are the “weekly heroes” who serve by sorting donations, pricing, and stocking the boutique; others serve through administrative and marketing skills, and through assistance programs. Founder Kim Rhodarmer says, “Without volunteers, we could not open our doors to serve this community.”
Kim adds, “I’m in awe [to realize] that Servant’s Heart, at just 12 weeks old, gave a generous supply of groceries for 302 people to prepare their very own Thanksgiving feast – using their favorite recipes, enjoyed with family and friends of their choosing.”
Kim and her husband, Frank, founded Servant’s Heart to help people in the community who are struggling financially. Though they had no professional construction crew or any significant funding, they held tightly to what they knew in their hearts, “When God calls you to the impractical, He will bring the supernatural.”
That’s just what happened. A handful of folks assisted financially. To date, literally hundreds of goods and services have been given to clients. “Servant’s Heart is changing everyday life for families in our community,” Kim says. “To God be the glory because I could not have made all these things happen in our infancy without His orchestration.” Kim wants to thank all those who have contributed to Servant’s Heart in 2016 as well as those who are willing to support such a worthwhile cause in 2017.
If you are interested in supporting Servant’s Heart or becoming a volunteer, please connect on Facebook and check out the website at http://servantsheart.org/home_2.html.
