There are so many lessons that can be garnered from the Easter story. Lessons of humility, sacrifice, obedience, love, and redemption are woven through the story of Jesus’ painful death on the cross, the days leading up to it, and the days that followed – including his glorious resurrection!
Every month, we call the staff at the local Veterans Affairs clinic to ask about what their current needs are and how we can partner together to meet them. Sometimes, the answer is “we’re doing okay on supplies right now,” and other times, we’re able fill their supply closet.
We’ve provided cases of bottled water, snack foods and candies. We’ve donated hundreds of pairs of socks, as well as underwear and undershirts. We’ve delivered blankets, stocking hats, scarves, and gloves; books, magazines, pens and notepads.
We share these words of appreciation with you because they are meant for you! Yes, we receive kind notes and phone calls here in Concord, but it is because of our partnership together that so many people are receiving help every day.
We invite you to check out this FREE will and testament writing tool. Amidst recent events, we considered pulling the launch of this resource, which we were worried would be odd or uncomfortable to share during an international health crisis.
In recent weeks, working with our international partnerships, we have supplied humanitarian aid to Venezuela, Ghana, and Nigeria. During a busy season, we realized we had sent our 3,800th shipment (since 1998)! It was a full tractor trailer load of supplies headed to Whiteville, North Carolina, to our partner helping with area individuals and families struggling in the aftermaths of not one, not two, but three Hurricanes!
Tornado season in the United States happens each year from March through June (though tornadoes can occur outside of this official season.) We have responded to numerous tornadoes in Gleaning’s 23 years, and we’ve learned a thing or two about tornado preparedness, actions you can take to remain safe during a tornado, and steps you can take in the aftermath of a storm:
How’s your vision? At the start of 2020, so much was said about “20/20 Vision” – having the vision to see ahead, to picture the future, to successfully lead through another year. Looking back, who could have possibly foreseen the events we witnessed last year?
At this time 12 months ago, Gleaning was moving into all-hands on deck mode – a year that began with changes, adjustments and modifications. Despite the unpredictable circumstances, we did what was required to stay true to our core mission:
You have probably seen Gleaning For The World’s 53-foot tractor trailer parked in front of Sam’s Club on Wards Road in Lynchburg during hurricane, tornado, or wildfire seasons when the nonprofit organization is collecting disaster relief supplies for victims of natural disasters.
For many of us, our lives are filled with, and surrounded by, Veterans – spouses, parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, co-workers, neighbors, volunteers. That’s why Gleaning strives to honor our Veterans year-round through our partnership with the local Veterans Affairs hospital and clinic, as well as through our partnership with Veterans groups in central Virginia.
National Teddy Bear Day – September 9th – is a day to celebrate Teddy Bears! Teddy bears, and other stuffed animals – unicorns, dolphins, bunnies, for example, bring joy to children all around the world.
Local Concord-based organization, Gleaning For The World, collects new and gently-used stuffed animals as part of their Teddy Bear Brigade program. Through this program, stuffed animals are given to children whose homes and lives have been turned upside down whenever natural disaster strikes.
