G Momma's Inspiration

How it first came about.  Courtney and I are Seahawk moms.  Our girl's cheer for the South Walton Seahawks.  We also both attend Destiny Worship Center in Destin Fl.  Together we decided to attend a conference for "Women of Destiny" where Lisa Bevere was speaking.  She is a powerhouse and rocked our world.  Her powerful speaking gave us the motivation and inspiration we needed to actually get out and make one our dreams of helping others happen.  We left that night fired up ready to do something.  We had discussed starting a food pantry then said we really wanted to do more than just provide canned goods etc, so we decided to sleep on it.  Soon after I was watching Ellen and came to a new revelation after seeing her and Ellen Pompeo speak and promote "Every Little Bottoms".  This is a wonderful new promotion by Huggies that is speaking out on behalf of all the mothers and fathers who can not afford diapers.  This hit home.  Being a mom at the age of 16 and now a 32 yr old mom of 6 (modern day yours, mine and ours) I know the struggles and strain it puts on you to provide for children.  Government agencies can help with WIC, Food stamps and insurance but no one helps with DIAPERS.  1 out of every 3 mothers do not have diapers. Ok, Ok so I'll get back on my soap box soon about that.  Moving on, I decided to go for it and sign up as a Diaper Bank.  Courtney and my husband, Chance, thought it was a great idea and said go for it. As a part of the steps in establishing our diaper bank, I had to call around to local organizations and agencies to request they be a donation center, accepting diapers on behalf of our bank.  WELL I opened a can of worms that my heart just feed on.  In talking to them I found out that Walton County had approx 81 homeless families in need.  Now these are the only ones reporting from your 1st of the year census card.  I knew there were others that had not come forward.  All of these organizations or agencies I spoke with were so excited they may be receiving diapers for the families in need.  I could not believe the demand.  Now this next story will get you.  I called upon one local agency and after explaining our goal she said, "Stephanie you just don't know how your an answer to a pray and how bad we need this." she went on to explain that just the day before she visited a home of a family in need.  As she was holding the newborn and getting a list of things mom could use she noticed the baby had soiled through it's blanket it was wrapped in.  She ask the mother to go get a change of clothes and diaper so she may change the baby.  The mom came back with an outfit but NO DIAPER.  The representative asked the mother, "Mam, do you have diapers?" The mother replied "Si, yes I have diapers but we only have 5 and we are saving those for when we go out."  "Here at home we let the baby go without."  The representative could not believe it.  She and her assistant went out to get mom some diapers from our local Caring and Sharing.  Now Caring and Sharing is a local agency we will be helping regularly.  They go through at least 50 packs a month and need to give out more but just haven't had the resources to do so.
Hang on, I'm almost done with the beginning of our story.  Anyways, I knew at that point this was something that would weigh on my heart and I had to make happen.  Each organization expressed how important donations of every type would help them and how each hurting in providing for families in need since the numbers have increased.  I knew at this point diapers would be collected but we needed to first get some warm clothing for the kids that have none in our area.  I decided to start getting all the organizations to email me a list of what they were in severe need of.  This began our journey.  I could not believe just the demand for clothing and necessities they we all take for granted each day.  This is when Courtney and I started begging and pleading for all clothing donations as we started a clothing drive.  Now realize I am talking about families that can not go to Goodwill and spend $4.99 on a 10 yr old shirt or $250.00 for a couch.  I am not trying to knock Goodwill but this is reality.  These organizations depend on our community to help families in need where they can GIVE these things away.  There is nothing more gratifying than to give to families less fortunate than you.
 As I explain daily to my kids and friends, most of us including myself are 1 (ONE) paycheck from being in any of these families shoes.  Without the support of our neighbors they can not help those in need and trust me, you never know when you may be one of them.    
This is the road that God has lead us down and we are walking it.  Please walk with us!!!!
G Momma out!