We love people forward…
A caring relationship becomes a bridge between today’s difficulties and tomorrow’s successes. Encouragement and love are what people need as well as practical information and resources.
Love is the answer. At Love INC, Columbia volunteers and staff lovingly help anyone in need. Sometimes we provide resources, other times we provide counsel but always, help – on the road to sustainability!
Over the Edge Goes Over the Top!
“Can I do it again?”
If we heard that once, we heard that dozens of times as more than 60 people went Over the Edge for Love INC on Saturday, September 15, at the Tiger Hotels’ 90th-anniversary party.
When the crowds weren’t looking up at “Edgers” descending 140-feet from the roof, they were in a bounce house, springing onto a Velcro wall, negotiating a 100-foot obstacle course or sliding down a 3-story slide. Hundreds of people enjoyed the excitement and great weather on South Eighth Street, which was closed for the day.
Each “Edger” raised a minimum of $1,000 for Love INC so they could rappel from the hotel. Many thanks to Total Lending Concepts, our Presenting & Landing Zone Sponsor, Columbia Safety & Supply, our Ropes Sponsor, Socket and TIG Advisors, our Helmet sponsors, the Tiger Hotel, who loaned us their roof and threw a great party, KMIZ-17 and Clear 99, our Media Sponsors, Pinklemans for providing lunch to our volunteers and staff, Culligan, for providing water, and Signs Now!, for helping with our signs.
Jane Williams’ rappelling experience stands out for many reasons. Williams, who lost her sight five years ago, was the first person to go over the edge, with her husband, Scott. She had set a $10,000 goal and was $900 shy while she was on the roof. After Clear 99 announced this to the crowd, two donors donated the balance as her feet touched the ground! That set the tone for the day. “It was a 12 out of 10!” said Greg Deline, Love INC’s board president and owner of Total Lending Concepts.
Three More Wise Men
This is a story about three men who reached out to help and be helped. All came from different financial and educational backgrounds. Love INC’s Extra Mile program provides financial wisdom and friendships, which are even more valuable. Read the rest of the story here.
Columbia Bankers Unite to Provide Payday Loan Relief
Five Columbia banks have joined together to launch a fund to provide no-interest loans to those trying to repay high-interest payday loans. Watch KOMU’s coverage of this innovative program.
You Can Help Panhandlers!
Every day we see people in need and often don’t help because we don’t know what to do. God’s call to love one another doesn’t stop when we don’t have an answer. God usually uses many people to change lives for the better. Ever feel awkward when someone asks for help? Don’t worry about what you can’t do – just do what you can do.
Next time you see someone in need, consider these suggestions:
Pray Ask God for direction in each circumstance.
Inform Columbia has many resources for the needy.
Engage Friendliness gives dignity to those feeling isolated.
Respect Treat everyone as a person created in God’s image.
Consider Give a sandwich, bus ticket, or gasoline as an alternative to cash.
Exercise Caution Stay in public places with others in sight.
Donate to organizations focused on caring for those in need.
