Because of the bitter cold, the City of Little Rock and countless volunteers have opened an emergency shelter to provide shelter to those who need it.  Ron is volunteering tonight and between his car and his distinguished bald head, he is becoming well known among the homeless in LR.  I’m not sure this is a good thing, but it is what it is.  He sent a text message earlier and said there are approximately 30 people who have taken advantage of the emergency shelter tonight.  In his text he said he was impressed with the number of people who declined things (clothing, blankets, gloves, or food) because they “had enough” and wanted to make sure other people had what they needed to stay warm and fed.

Ron gave out 16 coats today, 13 pairs of gloves, and 2 scarves.   He will re-stock his trunk in the morning with the remaining coats we have received.  Walmart had gloves for $5 a pair, so I bought ten pairs tonight.  Standing at the checkout I was thinking about so many of you who have donated $10.  That $10 bought 2 pairs of gloves-and will protect two individuals from the bitter cold.  Collectively, $50 bought ten pairs of gloves-which positively impacts ten individuals.

If you need a place for you or your family to volunteer, call a local shelter or a Salvation Army in your area and ask what they need tomorrow.  Ron said one woman and her three little kids  gathered up every spare blanket, even the “baby blankets”  in their house and took them down to the emergency shelter tonight.  Other people brought food, blankets, towels, toiletries, books, and pillows.

$10 bought 2 pairs of gloves today.  And, the woman and her three children were not at the emergency shelter longer than 20 minutes, but their donation helped keep someone warm tonight.   What innovative thing can you do with $10 or 20 minutes to positively impact someone’s life tomorrow?