“I got new shoes, people!” says Maray, 5, whose four siblings had already received shoes and backpacks full of school supplies at the Convoy of Hope Community Event in Wichita, Kansas.
Maray’s mother, Candra, is unique in that she is counted twice in our statistics for the day. She’s counted as one of more than 5,400 Guests of Honor and again as one of more than 1,200 volunteers. Serving her community is so important to her that she’s not willing to let her own need get in the way of volunteering. She arrived early in the morning to help bag some of the 9,901 bags of groceries. After getting her children outfitted for school, she plans to go back to volunteering, which includes staying late to help tear down the event.
“One way of being thankful for this event,” says Candra, “is giving back and trying to help.”
Candra isn’t the only Guest of Honor with a bent toward helping others. Andrew and his wife, Jessica, packed up their two toddler boys just two weeks prior and left a steady livelihood in Idaho to help Andrew’s medically disabled sister while her husband is away serving overseas in the military. Higher than expected moving expenses paired with their 5-year-old son starting school left the family looking to the community for help.
“We want to raise our boys to know that if you need help, get help,” shares Andrew. Watching his oldest boy get a fresh haircut, Andrew went on to explain how important it is to him that they also learn to work hard to support their family.
Just as the volunteer stylist makes the last few cuts on the youngest boy’s hair, Andrew asks if there is information available for job seekers in the community services tent next door. His desire to do right for his family seems as steady as the 90 degree Wichita heat.
In all, 1,246 volunteers served 5,406 Guests of Honor with 9,901 bags of groceries, 1,500 pairs of shoes, 1,150 backpacks full of school supplies, 592 haircuts, health screenings, dental work, and more.
