“Bargain hunting” and “extreme couponing” have been fun pastimes for Pam Clement for years but recently she was able to use her shopping skills to help donate $5,000 worth of goods to a ministry dear to her heart — the Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries (ABCH).
Clement, a member of Fairview Baptist Church, Florence, began collecting furniture and other unwanted items from her friends about 12 years ago, she said. Every year she would then sell the items in a yard sale and give the money she earned to ABCH.
This year, however, she had enough items to hold her first-ever 2-day yard sale where she earned $3,500. She then took that money and through her bargain hunting and couponing purchased numerous items from the ABCH Decatur campus’ list of needs including: 29 bottles of body wash, 24 tubes of toothpaste, 15 bars of soap, 600 8-gallon garbage bags, 360 rolls of toilet paper, 96 bottles of Gatorade, 36 bags of animal crackers, 1 chain saw, 6 yard rakes, 178 pairs of girls underwear, 8 men’s swimming trunks, 24 pillows, 3 journals, 99 dish towels, 24 duffle bags and the list goes on and on.
“It’s such a blessing to be able to do this,” Clement said. “I’m not rich by the world’s standards but I can give back with what God has blessed me with to bless someone else.”
Clement delivered the donations to the Decatur campus Oct. 25 with help from her former pastor, Thomas Thornton (who also is now a member of Fairview Baptist), and co-worker Megan Childers.
ABCH has five locations across the state: Birmingham, Decatur, Dothan, Mobile and Oxford and each location has a unique set of ministries that may include counseling (through Pathways Professional Counseling), foster care, group homes, an emergency shelter and more.
And since each location has a specific set of needs, lists are updated monthly at www.alabamachild.org/needs (see example in graphic below).
To donate goods look through the lists on the website and deliver donations to the nearest location or call 1-888-720-8805 with questions.
Michael Smith, ABCH regional vice president for North Alabama, said Clement’s donation “was wonderful” and will help the Decatur campus offset expenses for the rest of the year.
“Donations of usable food and other household items have a direct impact on our ability to operate,” Smith said. And as items are donated, he said, it frees up money to be used directly for ABCH’s mission — “to protect, nurture and restore children and families through Christ-centered services.”
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How you can help
Below is a list of items needed at each location. For a full list of needs, visit www.alabamachild.org/needs.
Birmingham — baby items (crib sheets, mattress pads, diapers, wipes, pull ups, car seats) — standard-size bed pillows, tall kitchen trash bags with pull string, large kitchen trash cans
Decatur — machine dishwashing detergent, fabric softener sheets, paper towels, crackers, cookies, Go-Gurt (yogurt), body wash, feminine hygiene products, toothpaste, batteries, light bulbs, duffle bags
Dothan — Lysol disinfectant spray, paper towels, toilet paper, breakfast bars, bagels, cereal, dry pasta, instant mashed potatoes, flour tortillas, tea bags, hamburger meat, bottled water, snacks, napkins, paper cups
Mobile — shower and bathroom cleaners, Lysol, Ajax, Cottonelle wipes, paper towels, plastic cups, aluminum foil, shampoo, conditioner, tooth brushes, hair bows, soups, dry pasta, Jello pudding, socks, baby wipes, crib sheets and blankets
Oxford — sofa and chairs, area rugs, broom, mop, dust pan, bedding for twin beds, children’s table and chairs, computer, lawn mower
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