CONNIE MAXWELL Children’s Home raised more than $3,000 to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina, celebrating that victory with a fun walk for children Sept. 18. About $2,600 was raised by staff at the children’s home and members of Connie Maxwell Baptist Church. The remainder of the sum, $525, was donated by children at the home. For most of the children, it was money they had worked hard to earn at their on-campus jobs.
Samantha, a resident at Connie Maxwell, collects money from other youths for Abbeville Baptist Association’s disaster relief team. Donating are Teres, center, and Laura. The youths raised $525.“I think it’s a more meaningful contribution if it’s money you worked for,” said Teres, a resident at Connie Maxwell.
Another resident, Scott, said he would have spent his money on Skittles if he hadn’t donated it, but said he was happy to help those in need, particularly after having seen images on the news of the disaster-stricken Gulf.
“We wanted to give the students an opportunity to do something to help,” said Doug Kauffman, pastor at Connie Maxwell Church. “We wanted to combine walking with their feet and giving with their hands.”
In a devotional prior to the walk, Kauffman told children and staff, “We’re walking to help build walls and houses, and to help people rebuild their lives. We’re walking as God’s people, wanting to show our love and support.”
Clint, a teenager who works on the farm at Connie Maxwell, said he thought the event would serve to show that “anyone, wherever and however” can help in situations such as the one created by Katrina.
According to Kauffman, the money raised will be donated to the Abbeville Baptist Association disaster relief team.