Let me begin by introducing myself.  My name is Molly Painter.  I began a ministry out of my studio apartment in January 2006 which came to be known as Jesus Without The Junk.  The ministry has been ‘behind the scenes’ doing mission work on Carolina Beach for the last six years.  The recipients have been:  The Help Center, Back Pack Buddy Program ($7,000.00-which specifically targets Carolina Beach Elementary school), Back-to-school, Christmas and Easter outreaches to the tune of $ 19,269.38.  And now we are embarking upon our largest effort ever for children who come from impoverished conditions by putting together the “Heart of Hope” Run for hunger October 26, 2013 8:00 am. 

            First we began by trying to uncover the real truth of the need on the Island.  After meeting with the Director of the Help Center and then speaking with the counselor and social worker of Carolina Beach Elementary School I discovered that the need is not only present but dire.  The following is a story that came to my attention quite accidently.  This is an excerpt from an article I have written—

            I was delivering some posters garnering support for the upcoming “Heart of Hope” Run for Hunger 2013 and a particular individual told me a story—

            She said, “I thought of you this morning when I was dropping off my child to Carolina Beach Elementary School.  I heard a little girl tell someone that her tummy hurt.  She was asked if she had had anything to eat that morning and she replied, “No.”  The woman gave her a cupful of Cheez-Its and told her to tell her teacher that she could have them in class.”

            The exact phrase that keeps running through my heart, at this time in the history (and this will become history someday), of our community is:  “Unity in the Community.”  By garnering support for the “Heart of Hope” Run for Hunger 2013 I have listened and heard hearts as they, too, want to reach out to the little children who do not ask to be born into financial constraints.  I told a friend, “You know, we can walk for everything else.  Why in the world wouldn’t we walk for the basics of life?” 

            Won’t you be a part of a ‘cause’ that will have lasting benefits for little children who cannot otherwise help themselves?  Be a part of a community wide outreach for local children.

             Registration is $25.00 and you get a great looking t-shirt designed by the one and only Dara Newberry (my daughter!)  Dr. Jimmy Brown (the Pastor of First Baptist Carolina Beach Church), has agreed to sit on the board of the “Heart of Hope” Run which, I believe, adds another dimension to the quality of this effort.  And let me thank each and every person who has stepped up to be a Sponsor for what I like to fondly call “The Love Walk.”  It has been such a pleasure (no pun intended) to get out on the Island (and beyond) to personally meet individuals who want to help children right in front of our faces.

            It roughly takes $6,000 to take care of 18 children throughout the school year with supplemental weekend food.   And that figure does not even touch breakfast, dinner, breaks or summer’s. At the end of the school year (2013) there were 12-17 additional children who needed to be added but there was not enough money to go around.

            Lastly, why this article?  I need your help one last time in ONE final push to reach anyone who does not know of this event on Saturday, October 26, 2013.  Call them, go see them or email them and let them know what “Heart of Hope” is all about.  I personally cannot reach every person who lives on this Island in the next week and half… but YOU CAN by spreading the word.  I realize that most everyone on the Island is now gearing up for wonderful festive events in the ensuing weeks (and I fully understand) but this is a one-time occurrence that will have lasting repercussions for little tummies.  

            Teams for Run are now available—4 for $50.00 which breaks the cost down to $12.50 a person.  Registering over the internet is safe and easy and we have a great looking site designed by a local friend and pastor.  I want to close this article with a poem and thank you for taking your precious time to listen to what I needed to tell you.  I hope to meet you there! 

The Love Walk

“Heart of Hope” came to point the way to children who need help in a mighty way.

Kids don’t ask to have no food or lack or even go without—

Be a part of something BIG -help us stuff their backpacks!

For if we say we love but close our hand – we are telling them we don’t really understand.

If we see the need and don’t help them out, they’ll give up…don’t you see?

Come on ya’ll let’s give them hope, that’s my plea; it’s what we do Carolina Beach! –

Be there bright and early (8 am) where the race begins—3^rd and Cape Fear Blvd…meet us at the gazebo, yeah!

Let’s send a message – no child here will go hungry again.

Spread your love come on sign up!

Come run, come walk, come roll or relay. 

“Heart of Hope!”  “Heart of Hope!” “Heart of Hope!”

Heartofhoperun.com

heartofhoperun@gmail.com

(910) 228-5282

Unacceptable and Selfish Behavior

By Katie Altobellis

Whether you love it or hate it, ObamaCare is the law and last year, the highest court in the land ruled on its constitutionality and it is here to stay, at least for now. I personally do not think it is fair to force someone to purchase healthcare insurance but it does not matter, really; I will obey the law. Obeying the law, however, is something that some in our country are refusing to do.  

The hostile and open defiance by some of our elected officials due to their stubborn resistance of this healthcare law, which has resulted in a partial shutdown of the federal government, is undermining our credibility as a democratic nation not only in the minds of the American people but in the minds of foreign countries as well. 

Politicians have always disagreed but this level of dysfunctional attitude and behavior could have serious and long lasting effects on this nation.  Countries that once looked to us as a nation leading by example must now be shaking their heads and looking at us with downcast eyes, perhaps even rethinking their attitudes of what democracy means. 

Do these politicians think about the jeopardy and vulnerability they leave its citizens in?  How will the loss of hundreds of thousands of furloughed civilians who work for the Defense Department impact our national security?  This government has a responsibility to keep its people safe.

These politicians can pit themselves against each other but this impasse must stop.  I do not think it is the will of the people to have this dispute continue.  If this was any other country and folks were resisting and refusing to carry out the government’s laws, these would people would be called no less than rebels and insurgents and either be arrested or put to death. (Thank God we are still a civil nation.)

This behavior by our House is unacceptable and it is time to get back to business and our time needs to be better spent with trying to solve the real issues of this world.

Let us never cease to pray for wisdom for our nation’s leader and those around him in power.