Yesterday began with the sun shining! After 15 days of rain, there was no way I was staying in the house another day, even if I had to walk somewhere.

Because of the aftermath of what we have experienced here in South Carolina, I had decided earlier that I was going to go to a Red Cross Center and see if I could volunteer. Little did I know what was about to happen!

I ran several errands and then went by our church for a few minutes to say hello to my Mike. As I drove into the parking lot I witnessed a line of cars and several people bustling in and out of our Family Life Center. I parked and went over to investigate. LICS (Lexington Interfaith Center) was overflowing with donations and needed somewhere for the overflow. Well I knew the staff had been investigating throughout the morning where our church could assist with the crisis so here it was. So I jumped in to help. We began to have assembly lines from cars to building. I was so proud of what I was seeing that I thought my heart would burst. Our community youth and children and adults came. They showed up in droves. They folded and sorted and boxed. One little girl (about 10 yrs old) stood beside me for hours receiving and passing.

What I witnessed was overwhelming. Our community came together in force to reach out to those in need. One little boy came in with his parent. He approached one of the adults and said, “I brought my money to give to the flood victims. He handed her his change…about 75 cents total. He gave from his heart. He gave hope.

Oddly enough, we as a church, since the Charleston incident, have talked about our state motto. It states, “While I breathe, I Hope.” We were doing a lot of breathing lifting and sorting and packing and while we worked. We were hoping for those of our community who needed hope. The response of South Carolina to its people has brought tears to my eyes on many occasions over the last fifteen days. They have been tears of sadness for loss of life and homes. Yesterday they were tears of joy over the people of this state and the love they have for their neighbors. So I say to you of South Carolina…Breathe for today brings Hope.