Lending a Helping Hand with Love
On November 21st, Combat Female Veterans Families United (CFVF United), one of the non-profits which we partner with through the Abbey, teamed up with New Garden Park Farm staff to host a special Thanksgiving event for veterans in the Guilford County area.
Over 150 families streamed through the church parking lot on this unusually 72 degree and sunny November afternoon--a perfectly blue-skied day for the last farmers market of the season. Forty-three of the individuals who came through were given red, white, and blue ribbons to wear as they went from booth to booth. They were female combat veterans who had been invited to participate in this partnered Thanksgiving event.
This event was a part of CFVF United’s COVID-19 Crisis2Service Vet Project--a recently announced project which they were able to start up after receiving the Guilford County Non-Profit Organization Grant. Their leadership team designed this project in order to serve Guilford County female veterans and their families who are experiencing food insecurity. “As you well know, the needs of veterans are complex and multi-layered,” explained Sandra Robinson-Wilson, the founder and executive director of CFVF United. “For that reason, we deeply value the support and fellowship of others operating within our community.” NGP Farm had already been holding the free farmers market this fall. Rev. Alan Hawkins realized that it could be an avenue for partnership with CFVF United in serving Guilford County’s community of female veterans. He began the conversation between Sandra and Lena Van Wyk, the NGP Farm Director, and the partnered Thanksgiving event was born.
At the market, volunteers from both organizations greeted the veterans as they arrived and handed them thank-you notes from Guilford Christian Ministry. The veterans then were able to attend the market and choose $30 worth of fresh, sustainably grown produce and other foods from the various booths. Booths boasted items such as lettuce, carrots, and squash--and even eggs, bacon, and fatback. CFVF United volunteers also encouraged veterans to head over to the greenhouse, where they had tables set up with gifts like tote bags and backpacks, as well as coolers with frozen pork, beef, and whole turkeys for the veterans to take home.
Sandra explained the intentional, compassionate drive behind the event and its wider project. “COVID-19 Crisis2Service Vet Project reflects our values of service, compassion, generosity and community love by turning this unprecedented crisis into another opportunity to serve and benefit society.” And she didn’t want those attending to feel forgotten or second-rate, but rather to communicate that they are deeply cared about. “My heart for the veterans attending this event is that they feel this is a hand-up, not a hand-out,” explained Sandra. “We are just lending a helping hand with love, all made possible by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
This spirit of loving encouragement and mutual support radiated throughout those who were present. It was evident in moments like these, especially: One of the veterans volunteering at the event pointed out a woman walking into the greenhouse, her child in tow. “That woman there didn’t want to acknowledge she was a veteran. She said didn’t earn it.” Those around her shook their heads with crinkled eyes and donned undoubtedly compassionate smiles underneath their masks. “If you did the time, you earned it. She could use some extra love.” They made sure she didn’t leave without some, in the form of sincere “thank yous” and bags of holiday food.
“Church of the Redeemer is my church, my home, and I love them all,” Sandra explained. “Collaboration is just another way we show our love for each other.” This loving collaboration between CFVF United and our church farm was a privilege to be a part of, and is truly an image of the care which God calls citizens of His kingdom to show one another. We pray that this Thanksgiving event blessed those in attendance just as much as it blessed us here at Redeemer to take part in it.
