Bowling Green, Kentucky

 

 

This is what our car looked like when we left for Kentucky early Sunday morning. We were loaded down with 70 gift bags, each filled with a hat, scarf, and blanket we made/collected. We didn't have enough room to fit ourselves and the grand total of 104 bags, so the remaining 34 will be donated to a homeless ministry in OKC (we'll post pictures when we go). Hopefully we'll be making that trip within the next couple of weeks.

While we were in Bowling Green, we worked (and stayed) with Keith and Kris Bridgman (who happen to be the kindest, humblest, most gracious hosts ever) who have a blanket ministry for the homeless and volunteer with an organization called HOTEL INC.

We had an interview with Christian Family Radio, and with the Park City Daily News, which is Bowling Green's Newspaper.

We were able to personally hand-out about 35 blankets. Some we gave out at HOTEL INC's gathering at the Bridge, some we gave out at HOTEL INC's center, and a couple we gave away while visiting areas around town where some homeless stay. We also walked through a field by the river and climbed up the embankment underneath the bridge where several people stay. We found one man there who had just gotten out of the hospital, and we were able to give him a blanket.

 
 

 
 
We left the other 35 blankets with Kris and Keith and with HOTEL INC so that they can give them to others who need them.

Our friend Nancy went with us and helped out. She's a true pal for making that long journey with us!

We learned so much on this trip, both about ourselves and our homeless neighbors. We're so thankful we had the opportunity to deliver the items we made/collected in person. It made a big impact on us!

Maddie - "The whole experience was sad. It’s amazing how many people are out there and how grateful they are. I think that was the first time that I actually realized what I was doing could really make an impact on someone’s life. I can just go and get a blanket out of a closet in my nice warm house, but these people have nothing—no house or blanket. Stuff I take for granted every day? Some people don’t have any of that. It was a big eye-opener, and it makes me want to do a lot more."

Morgan - "This experience made me want to do more to make a difference in the lives of others. It made me realize how much I have and how simple it is to impact other peoples’ lives. It wasn’t that big of a deal when we were making things, but seeing how much something so simple can help—that made me realize that my little can be big to someone else."

Deidra - "I'm still trying to process all we did and saw, but I know for sure I want to do more. We have been blessed with so much and helping our neighbors can be so simple. I learned a lot about grace and compassion on this trip, about how I've lived the majority of my life without enough of it. I'm working on changing that. I'm so grateful for the opportunity we had and I can't wait to see where God takes the Bundle Up Club."

Here's the link to our article in the newspaper (it just happened to make the front page!): http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/oklahoma-twins-visit-distribute-handmade-items-to-homeless/article_86d22524-a39a-5e9f-96cd-a326dab7973c.html#user-comment-area

And here's the link to a video our hosts made (it can only be viewed on a PC, not a phone):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQc0BCYjkD0&feature=youtu.be

The link to our interview with Christian Family Radio isn't available yet, but as soon as it is we'll post it so you can take a listen!

Thank you all so much for your support. We appreciate each one of you!