Letter to the Editor

Community shows its charitable side

Thursday, December 1, 2011

To the editor:

I have never lived in a more charitable community!

Thanksgiving Day, the Emergency Squad delivered 60 meals to mostly elderly, widowed women. After the confusion of seeing a rescue vehicle at their house, we were greeted with smiles and tears. I have never had a more fulfilling and blessed day. Aaron Brassfield did an awesome job coordinating the effort to feed 1,500 people on Thanksgiving Day.

I moved back to Blytheville four years ago and not long after, gave up 30 years of serving myself with alcohol and drugs and started serving God. In 1994 I almost died in an accident, I lost my right leg in the process. Because of my disability, I have been blessed with a lot of free time to volunteer in my community. Blytheville has so much offer those in need. It has been an honor and provilege to volunteer my time for the following charitable organizations: Mississippi County Union Mission, The Great River Charitable Clinic, The Haven, The United Way, Ignite, The Blytheville Emergency Squad, The Gospel Lighthouse Thanksgiving. And one of the most memorable moments -- I had the pleasure of spending the night at the Mississippi County Hospital, with a 6-month-old baby girl, taken from her parents for abusing her. I wasn't expecting a baby, but after two hours of learning how to change a diaper and make a bottle, I fell in love that baby girl!

I am always asked why I moved back here from Houston -- this is obviously where God wants me. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of helping the needy residents of Blytheville, Ark.!

Mike Williams
Blytheville