Usually there is no shortage of organizations that step up to share and assist those in need during the holidays, but those efforts dwindle during the months that follow.
Nevertheless, one organization—the David and Bettye Williams Helping Hands Outreach ministry—has announced this week that its first event in the coming year is already scheduled for February.
In recent months, the inspired group of siblings has donated items to local churches, given out facemasks to the public, distributed turkeys for Thanksgiving, provided gift bags to the residents at Indianola Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, plus adopted six families for Christmas and one family permanently.
Senior sibling Genetta Williams-Ford said, “This year will end with COVID-19 still playing a big part in our daily lives and community; however, we are elated to have had a small part in giving back to our community and honoring the legacy of our parents David and Betty Williams.”
Williams-Ford praised God and offered up thanks for His having protected and kept them safe through these times of uncertainty even though, “Our family has felt the sting of COVID personally several times,” she said.
Williams-Ford said their faith in God, their upbringing along with the nurture and care of family and friends is what helped sustain them. “Although, we are well aware that the journey is not over, we now know what to do to protect ourselves as well as others. We encourage all to continue to wear facemasks, practice social distance and when possible do all we can for someone,” Williams-Ford said.
She said just wanting to put into practice what was instilled in them by their parents, giving to others, showing kindness, and being the best you that you can be is the thought process behind what they do.
Williams-Ford mentioned an exhaustive list of supporters and offered her gratitude to Molina Health Care for their donations, Mount Beulah Baptist Church for the use of their facility and the Enterprise-Tocsin for sharing the group’s efforts with so many.
In addition, Williams-Ford expressed gratitude to, “My siblings Grace, Roberta, Devon, Otis and David, (plus) Philander, Brandy and Mario—my niece, daughter and nephew—for never saying no,” she said.
Also she credits their parents for giving them the best of them with no strings attached and acknowledges her brothers and sisters for receiving it.
Citing that she often struggles with culminating words, Williams-Ford said, “I have chosen this quote as our last words for this year—‘When it seems as if God is far away, remind yourself that He is near. Nearness is not a matter of geography. God is everywhere. Nearness is likeness. The more we become like the Lord, the nearer He is to us.” The quote is attributed to Warren W. Wiersbe.
“Thank you for letting us share a small part in giving the gift of kindness,” Genetta, Grace, Roberta, Devon, Otis & David Williams.
