Letter to the Editor

Church's donation was gift of love

Saturday, May 12, 2012

To the editor:

In response to the article that was written concerning the gift of love that was given to Effie Collins on April 1: The gift was received by her, which was $300, was used as campaign money. It was never given to be used for that purpose. New Immanuel, along with other churches in the community, have helped Ms. Collins in the past with an appreciation program, and the decision to help her was made before she decided to run for state representative.

The gift given to her on April 1 was given only out of love and concern for her, and let it be understood that the gift was not pandered or asked for by her. No laws or moral or ethical values were broken by the church, and no shadow of doubt should be cast upon the church.

We are very active in this community and are leaders when it comes to offering support assistance to others in this community and the surrounding communities. If it is against the law to assist with paying light bills, gas bills, water bills, feeding the hungry, buying food, helping with housing, doctor bills, helping buy prescriptions, helping with funeral costs and many other crises, then we are guilty. This was put in us by God, the spirit of giving, and we will continue with the assignment that God has given us.

Because of federal laws, and to remove any and all suspicions, Ms. Collins has taken corrective actions and returned the gift to Pastor Furlow and the church.

Verlene Collins
Blytheville