From a word-of-mouth campaign to help support Heifer International and WorldVision has sprung The Hope Project of First Christian Church with donations raised to benefit HEAL & The Nest and the Backpack 4 Kids project.
The Hope Project is the brainchild of Kelly Bullion. It has received great support and collaboration from Pastor Matt Every and the congregation at First Christian, as well as the greater community. This campaign of giving includes monetary donations and donations of toiletry items, pet food and toys that survivors at the Nest need.
Bullion, a dispatcher at the Ruidoso Police Department, is a 12-year resident of Ruidoso. Her husband, a New Mexico state police officer, became stationed here 12 years ago and she hopes to never move. Raised in a family of strong faith, she builds on that foundation with her involvement with First Christian Church and as a community member. Although she still supports Heifer International and WorldVision, she saw need locally and wanted to organize fundraising that directly supports the lack that, unfortunately, can be found in Lincoln County. What better fit than with HEAL and the Nest!
Kelly has had direct exposure to the trauma and challenges related to victims and survivors of domestic violence. Having two sisters who are survivors as well as being a dispatcher at the police station put her in a unique position to understand, empathize and encourage. Kelly says, “To know there is an organization to take women and children from despair to giving them the ability to take control of their lives and then to blossom and feel hope is inspiring. Also, I am a big fan of Coleen (Widell)! She won’t take no for an answer.”
Her main collaborator, Pastor Matt Every, is a recent transplant to Ruidoso after living in Longview, TX. He says, “We’ve been here four months but after the first week, we knew this was home.” He calls himself “a middle-aged white man, the most privileged class in our society. Therefore, I have a strong mission for programs that actually help the marginalized, beaten-down and broken. That is my ministry. After all, Jesus was the original radical feminist and advocate.”
The campaign is widespread and well-organized. Not only are donations being accepted at First Christian Church, 1211 Hull Road in Ruidoso, but donations are also accepted at Cornerstone Bakery, the Police Department, and Fire Station 1 on Sudderth Drive.
An online donation site for monetary contributions is at: http://www.youcaring.com/help-a-neighbor/the-hope-project/267456#.VHD8mgARJI0.facebook. Giving continues through December 20, 2014. Both Kelly and Pastor Matt don’t plan to stop there. Their future plans include collaboration and cooperation with other congregations to make The Hope Project a community-wide endeavor. Best to them!