What You Did For The Least, You Did For Me

Twenty-four hours can be nothing more than the passing of time between one day and the next, or it can contain events that unfold to change people's lives forever.

After news broke of the devastating tornado in Oklahoma, our collective stations mobilized quickly. At 4:58 pm, the first group text was sent and by 11:07 pm, over 200 texts and 33 phone calls had been exchanged.

By 7:30 pm, our first post on the Bear's Facebook wall went up. Working with Toomers For Tuscaloosa, who had direct communication with officials in Norman, Oklahoma, we would place our station vans throughout the city and collect gift cards, gas cards, and specific supplies such as bug spray, sunscreen, baby items and more. 95.3 The Bear would be in place at Chick-Fil-A by 7:00 am the following morning. Our hopes for success were high when you shared our call to action over 650 times on one post alone.

As I put my makeup on before our collection efforts began, I was filled with fear, excitement and hope. I prayed that God would bless our efforts and he wasted no time answering that prayer.

When I arrived at Chick-Fil-A at 6:58 am, a gentleman patiently waited while I set up before walking over and placing several bills in my hand. 'Tell everyone that's from the House of Hope,' he said as he got in his car to leave. What a fitting way to begin an amazing day. He was one of the  many wonderful people I met today who left footprints on my heart.

-There was Jan who moved to Tuscaloosa from Oklahoma in 1989. She was hurting for her hometown and giving brought her comfort.

-Jennifer, a Golden Flake employee whose donation was given while tears gathered in her eyes as she recalled losing everything she owned on April 27th. She even returned with new shirts she'd collected at the Dollar General on 69 North.

-The City of Northport Waste Management empolyees who piled out of their large truck to hand me one of their debit cards and several bills.

-K-Mart employee Mary who pushed a shopping cart full up supplies from the store to our truck and handed me a plastic bag of money she'd collected from her coworkers.

-The young woman who called me over to her car because she was still in her pajamas.

-Marti who was taking her kids through the Chick-Fil-A drive through then returned with a $150 check after depositing them at school.

-The cookie snack canisters for the children of Oklahoma, donated by my oldest and closest friend, Shea. She'd taken the time to write 'Praying for you in Tuscaloosa, Alabama' on the tops of each.

-Michael from Black Warrior Printing who had the biggest smile on his face as he hugged my neck and put money in my hand. I could tell giving to those in need made him feel great.

-Shay, who pulled up in her black Lexus loaded down with supplies. She wasted no time moving them from her car to the collection van in her dress and high-heels.

-The convoy of Alabama Power utility trucks blowing their horns as they passed by on their way to Oklahoma to offer aid.

-Russell for rounding up his friends to give and who continues to search for ways to help.

-Retired veteran Randy, who happened to be headed back home to Oklahoma tomorrow morning and volunteered to deliver our goods. Thank you for your service to our country. Godspeed.

Janet, Amber, Randy, Doug, Rhonda, Hannah, Lindsay, Marilyn, Tex, Sandy, Tommy and so, so many others I've failed to name. Forgive me, but please know you've given me a tremendous blessing with your generosity. Thank you so much to the unknown individual who donated a tub of books for Oklahoma children. We almost missed the note from the Arcadia teacher who'd taken a moment to write to the children to let them know she understood what their fear and uncertainty. She and her students had lost their school too.

Thank you to Ashley, Scott, Denise, Mark and others who allowed us to use their businesses as drop off points.

Thank you Holly for continuing to do amazing things with Toomers for Tuscaloosa. I hope you're reminded often how you serve as an inspiration to so many.

Thank you U-Haul for donating boxes to help us ship our donations.

Lastly, thank YOU for sharing our updates and challenging your friends to mobilize and help us with our efforts. You are why today ended the way it did.

Almost twenty-four hours to the second from that first text, my co-workers loaded the last box of supplies into the trailer headed for Oklahoma. Because of you, we are able to send almost $2000 in cash and gift cards and close to 4000 pounds of donated goods to our neighbors in need and donations continue to pour in.

I hope you know how special you are, Tuscaloosa. There's not another place on earth like this city or her people.

Matthew 25:40 '"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'