The best exercise is the one you’ll keep doing

Hope House ‘amazed’ by donation

Duval cuts $ 23,000 check for local ministry

news@theeveningtimes.com

Hope House Director Mary Gibbs couldn’t help but shake a little as she smiled a lot receiving a donation check from Duval Semi Trailers (DST) on Tuesday morning. The Memphis branch of the big rig trailer manufacturer reached out across the river for the second consecutive year to appreciate the work of Hope House Ministries based in West Memphis.

Gibbs was glad for the gift.

“I stand amazed at how God uses people to supply the needs of Hope House,” Gibbs said to the DST representatives. “You have been a blessing to us last year and even more so this year. This money will pro- mote the ministry to help women coming out of the county jail and to help women that have suffered domestic violence as well as providing housing at our shelter homes.

DST handed over more than $23,000 to the ministry with no strings attached.

“We give it to you without any restrictions or designation,” said Joel Johnston.

‘We substantially increased the amount of the gift this year because we appreciate the work of Hope House.”

Johnson said he had reviewed the annual statistics marking the results of Hope House Ministries and was moved to make a big gift happen. Hope House distributed food and clothing to 16,428 people in 7,441 households throughout the county including 5,546 children and 4275 senior citizens. 146 families received holiday food baskets with turkeys or ham and 147 kids had Christmas provided by Hope House.

2643 women lodged in Hope house shelters and 8 had overnight motel stays provided by the group. 43 women counted on Hope House for a ride home from the county jail and six more accepted bus tickets home.

The FAITH evangelism ministry at conducted by the ministry at the county jail was attended by 945 women who requested 480 one on one meetings. 112 professions of faith were made there and 266 county inmates received a Bible from the group.

By John Rech