Rutherford Weekly

OUR 23 rd YEAR • ISSUE NO. 49 • DECEMBER 10, 2015 RutherfordWeekly.com 828-248-1408 FREE FREE YOUR POSITIVE NEWS SOURCE YOUR POSITIVE NEWS SOURCE Forest City • 828-245-7274 Caroleen • 828-657-5353 ©Community First Media Community First Media LOTS OF NEW ELF ON THE SHELF ITEMS Mon.-Fri. 8:00-5:45 • Sat. 8:30-4:30 TOO MUCH TO LIST! STOP BY & CHECK US OUT! 596 South Broadway St., Forest City 828-245-3551 B&D'S B&D'S THRIFT & LOAN THRIFT & LOAN Large Selection of Appliances 30 Day Warranty! Shop here first, You'll be glad you did! See Us For All Your Jewelry • Tools • Electronics • Game Systems Musical Instruments • Motorcycles • ATVs Articles By: Allison Flynn • allison@rutherfordweekly.com Articles By: Allison Flynn • allison@rutherfordweekly.com Volunteers Melissa Herold, Bill Swope and Alan Marston prepare items to be distributed next week through Toys for Tots. Rutherford County residents could apply for assistance with providing toys for their children this holiday season. Applications are no longer being taken, but those who would like help next year can learn more online at toysfortots.org. What if you could have someone pray for you as you run your holiday errands? What if it were as easy as ordering a meal at a fast food restaurant? One local church plans to offer drive through prayer this holiday season, and all you need to do to receive the blessing is pull up in your car. "Our first drive-through prayer was held during our Hands & Hearts at Home, which is a localized mission week," said Laura White, youth minister at Florence Baptist Church. "Our pastor asked us to think outside the box, and it was actually our head custodian who said he wanted to see something offered at the church." As church members began to think about what they could do, the idea of having a drive-through prayer came to one on "a whim." "I started thinking about how we are all so busy, and sometimes have every excuse in the book not to go to church," said Maria Davis. "We live in the Bible Belt, and I believe most people in our area are probably Christians or at least have had some experience or exposure to God. Even knowing that, we are sometimes reluctant to ask for prayers from people. But if someone offers prayer, we usually take it." She brought the idea to White, who enlisted the help of other members and the church's youth to provide the drive through prayer. With signs to direct people, the drive through prayer allowed people to pull up in their cars. A member of the church then offered to pray with the person. "It was truly a pull in event - you didn't have to get out of your car," White said. Soon, youth began to offer to pray with people at the stop sign beside the church. A few people seemed surprised, and a few at first turned down the offer but then returned to take part. "I had one couple thank me, and express how much it touched them," she said. The event blessed those who took part so much, that they decided it was something they wanted to offer again. "I have never seen young people so eager to go up to a stranger and pray with them," Davis said. "I think my blessing actually came from watching these girls be willing to talk to strangers about God." The holidays seemed like an ideal time to offer drive through prayer again, both agreed. "The holidays are tough for a lot of people," Davis said. "When people look around and see the hustle and bustle of the holidays and see people happy and waiting on family and spending time with family, it can bring on an even deeper feeling of disheartenment. To have someone - anyone - but especially a stranger want to pray for you … to know that someone cares, a physical person and that God is there for them can mean all the difference." The drive-through prayer also allows the church to truly be the church in the community, White said. "We want to be seen as the church who helps, not just the big church on the corner," she said. Florence Baptist Church's next drive-through prayer will be offered Saturday, Dec. 19, from 10 a.m. to noon in the church parking lot. Church's prayer service doesn't require you to even leave your car even leave your car Toys for Tots provides Toys for Tots provides Christmas for Rutherford County children in need A group of volunteers who have given their time to serve their country, now serve closer to home by providing Christmas gifts to children in need. Toys for Tots, administered locally by the Cpl. Chris S. Ebert Marine Corps League Detachment #1221, is a program run by the United States marine Corps Reserve which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas. Toys for Tots started in 1947 with one Raggedy Ann doll," said Local Coordinator Alan Marston. "During the years between the wars it was used toys that the Marines would fix up. Now it's all new toys. In the United States, there are more than 800 locations for Toys for Tots, and most are facilitated by Marine Corps Leagues or Reserves." In Rutherford County, close to 1,000 toys have been received for distribution in 2015. Those who apply to receive toys had to provide identification for themselves and their children, which act as proof that they are residents of Rutherford County. "We collect for Rutherford County and those toys stay here to help in Rutherford County," said volunteer Bill Swope. This is the third year Marston has volunteered, and his first in the coordinator role. It's a position that he and other volunteers find to be rewarding. "Seeing the tears in the eyes of parents," he said, makes it worth the hours of organizing and distributing toys. "We've gotten notes kids have written to thank Santa," said volunteer Bill Swope. Santa's elves might not have anything on these volunteers. In the back of the Detachment's storefront at 120 W. Trade St. in Forest City are shelves lined with toys, with labels indicating boy or girl and various ages. It makes getting items into bags for families that much easier, Swope said. When applicants return Friday and Saturday to pick up their toys, they'll find a few extras in their bags. The national push this year is literacy, Marston said, so age appropriate books are included as well as stocking stuffer items. The community, Marston said, has been very supportive of the toy drive, providing places for more than 80 drop off points as well as financial donations. "This county is so generous," he said. While applications for toys are no longer being taken, those who would like to donate new, unwrapped toys may do so. For those who would like to apply for assistance next year, visit www. toysfortots.org and follow the instructions. M t it t

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