The bi-monthly article is being provided by two faithful volunteers from St. James. ENJOY
As an introduction, over 7 years ago we moved from Northern Virginia to a little town called
Churchville. We never heard of Churchville but we loved the beauty surrounding this town. Little did
we know that this little town would have such a big heart and an even bigger community outreach. It is
shown in everything that has to do with HELP. We have been so blessed with our volunteer work at
HELP. We get just as much out of helping the people as they get in being helped. My wife and one of
our dogs (Dakota) have done therapy work before we moved here. After moving here, she continued
therapy work with Dakota going to assisted living facilities and Churchville Elementary. After the
Pandemic, she has now resumed therapy work at Valley Mission, Stuarts Draft Elementary School,
assisted living facilities and Staunton Library.
My wife is also into quilting. I, along with my motorcycle interests, used to do marathons until I couldn’t.
I now enjoy walking and reading. We attend Saint James and love participating in our church activities
and community outreach projects. It is in this same spirit that we approach our time at HELP. I take trips by motorcycle, and I really try not to schedule any trips that conflict with the HELP days. It is so rewarding volunteering at HELP!!
My wife is also into quilting. I, along with my motorcycle interests, used to do marathons until I couldn’t.
I now enjoy walking and reading. We attend Saint James and love participating in our church activities
and community outreach projects.
It is in this same spirit that we approach our time at HELP. I take trips by motorcycle and I really try not
to schedule any trips that conflict with the HELP days. It is so rewarding volunteering at HELP!!
We see God’s blessing and miracles every time we step into HELP’s doors. One day, a young single
mother needed crutches for her son. We have seen adult size crutches but not child sizes too
often. She didn’t have much money and was living paycheck to paycheck. She came into HELP and we
had crutches that were the perfect fit for her son. God is there. Recently someone called and needed a
hospital bed. We said we had one. He came with his truck at the exact same time as someone else that
came with a truck. The second person had called earlier in the week and was told a bed would be set
aside for him. It worked out that we had two beds and was able to help both of these families. God is
there. We had a young lady passing through from North Carolina. Her disabled sister was traveling with
her and required adult briefs. She found out about HELP and was able to get a pack of briefs to make it
through the remainder of her trip. God is there. A man drove from Montana and only had a couple of
days to get his mom set up with a bed. We were able to get the bed and he was so grateful. God is
there.
I am sure this is familiar to others as it is not uncommon to start a shift and worry about lack of
equipment and supplies. God gives a hand and then during the shift some show up! God is there.
As for a Bible verse, virtually the whole Bible can describe all the God works of HELP. One verse as a
example is John 21:17
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked
him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
Thank you everyone for all of your hard work!! Dave and Beth Smith
