A light of compassion in a dark place
Troy Community Baptist Church and caring families from throughout the county made sure victims and their children at the domestic violence shelters had a Merry Christmas.
In a place where victims come in the darkest of circumstances, being emotionally and physically injured by other people, they are often greeted by the presence of community kindness and generosity.
Lincoln County Crisis Solutions Executive Director Barb Guthneck said that through the past couple of months, the Domestic Violence Shelter in the Libby area received numerous, generous donations from the community.
“People are so wonderful,” Guthneck said. “Never a week goes by where we don’t get donations. It’s a wonderful place to live.”
The Troy Community Baptist Church and caring families from throughout the county made sure victims and their children at the domestic violence shelters had a merry Christmas this year.
The shelter received cash donations from six families in Lincoln County in late December, totalling $675, Guthneck said.
The Women’s Mission Union of the church held a fundraiser in November that included items to be auctioned off that were donated from Libby and Troy businesses. Money raised from the auction went to provide quilts, Christmas and Easter presents and back to school supplies for all the women and children in the shelter.
After asking for donations in the paper in mid-December, 15 families have dropped off bags with children and adult clothing, toys and toiletry items which include diapers.
Two anonymous donations also came in. One woman gave two new women’s coats with matching gloves with $10 in each coat pocket. Another woman, went into the Libby Sports Center and bought a new pair of boots for woman and two children with her own money. After purchasing the items, Guthneck received a call from the store, telling her to pick up the new items, as the woman donated them.
“She remained anonymous to the store and us,” Guthneck wrote in an email. “Just a very kind, generous person who made a small family very warm and happy.”
They also received a large bag of Avon donations for victims in the shelter and one woman gave two cases of diapers for the newborn they currently have in the shelter. The woman then promised if they would call, she would supply more sizes of diapers when they need them throughout the year.