This past Friday, they hosted a drive to collect gift cards, to all different places, in all different amounts, to support the victims of the recent devastating tornadoes in the south, especially Alabama, although Alabama was not the only state affected. The DJs shared stories about all the different people that came in to give gift cards. People that weren't in a place financially to purchase a gift card, but were willing to give a gift card they already had, with a remaining balance on it. There are 2 stories that stood out to me this morning, and 1 from Friday, and I want to share them so that you, too, might be able to feel uplifted the way I was this morning. It's reassuring to know that although we live in a fallen, corrupt world-there still are people who truly care and want to help people in a positive way.
The first story is about a woman who gave $50. Just a year ago, she was living on less than that amount. Now, a year later, she is more stable and desires to give back. I don't remember exactly the "punch line" of this story which made it really impacting, but I promise there was one! :) I think it's amazing to see how God brings us out of uncertain times in our life and I think it's only appropriate that we honor Him by giving to others who are in need.
A young boy gave all of the money he'd been saving for a bike, all the change he had to his name, in donation to the gift card drive. A woman heard of his selfless act, and in turn, she went out and bought the boy a bike. So sweet!
A dad and his two children (daughter and son) were in their house at the time of the storms. The dad had told his children to get into the tub. He got a matress, put it on top of the kids in the tub and laid on it to protect them. The winds whisked them away, and the dad ended up hanging from a tree. Medics came to the rescue and were able to bring the kids and their dad to the hospital. The dad had definite back injuries. When the medical staff began to work on the son, he said to them, "Work on my dad first, he's worse off than I am." I felt immediate goosebumps hearing that story.
These stories are just a few, I'm sure, of the many about people who have stepped up to help these victims get back on their feet after their lives were uprooted a few weeks ago by terrible tornadoes. I have seen the pictures of the aftermath and they left me speechless. I've heard that whole towns are gone; nothing is left. I've heard of people who were in their houses, ducked for cover, at the time of the storms who ended up in nearby fields, dead, due to the heavy winds. I can't imagine. All in a few seconds, lives lost and/or changed forever.
*photo credit Google Images
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