Faith and Family: Seeds of Change celebrates Christmas in April

Published 12:00 am Friday, April 26, 2019

 

NATCHEZ — It’s nearly May and Natchez is slowly heating up for summer, but for at least 10 local veterans, senior citizens and disabled persons it feels like Christmas in April — which happens to be the name of a volunteer program that will be assisting those individuals with minor home repairs this Saturday.

This marks the third year the Seeds of Change Resource Foundation, a non-profit led by Carolyn Myers, is hosting the one-day community project to help those who may not otherwise be able to help themselves, Myers said.

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“In previous years, I’ve had people call me afterward to thank our group,” she said, “because we were able to do something that they weren’t able to do themselves. … Everything we do is done with volunteers and with donations for supplies.”

Inspired by similar efforts that exist in other communities throughout the nation, Myers said she felt a calling in 2016 to found a local chapter of the Christmas in April program in Natchez.

Each year, Myers said she has gathered a list of names from local recommendations of people who need assistance and obtained the supplies to do the work before the last Saturday in April.

“It’s not me doing this,” Myers said. “God gave me the vision to help others, and when you help others you are continuously blessed by the work that you do.”

Myers said approximately 25 able bodied people volunteered to receive a blessing themselves, as they help with repair work or simple carpentry in the houses of disabled people, veterans and seniors.

In the past, the group has helped with several tasks such as building ramps or porches, painting or washing houses, installing smoke detectors and doors, putting up blinds or repairing floors, she said.

This Saturday, a group will meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot of Zion Chapel A.M.E Church at 228 North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street, and anyone is welcome to jump in to help, Myers said.

“We don’t do any plumbing or electrical work,” Myers said. “We have some who volunteer every year. If anyone wants to come and help, I just tell them to come on.”

To volunteer or for more information, call 601-870-6343.