About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (July 28, 2020)
LOCAL The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com Tuesday, July 28 2020 3A Blessing Box grows bigger Altruistic Lula project outgrows tiny space, gains new ministry initiative BY KELSEY PODO kpodo@gainesvilletimes.com Mandy Stewart never expected her small gray container to make large waves in Lula. In late June she placed a “Blessing Box” outside Amanda’s Farm to Fork, welcom ing people to take what they need of the many food and hygiene products, but also asking others to contribute what they can. “CBS46 News and CNN contacted us,” Stewart said. “It’s been crazy. I’m one that doesn’t like the spotlight a whole lot, but I’m very glad that the word is getting out about the Blessing Box. That’s exciting.” Less than a week after launching, Stewart said the project received an abundance of donations and even sparked a new initiative called Love Your Neighbor Ministries. “God kept giving me a burden after the Blessing Box to do more for the community, ” she said. “I just began to pray and ask God, ‘What is it you’re wanting me to do?’ That’s where Love Your Neighbor Ministries was born.” Stewart runs the ministry with her hus band Eric, who serves as the pastor of Lib erty Baptist Church in Lula. She said their goal is to “love God and love others” in the community. Right now, they are in the process of replacing the small gray box with a larger one because the current one is no longer large enough. Over the past week Stewart said she has witnessed many of senior citi zens using the box as well as children. She said they mostly take hygiene items like deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste and easy-to-open non-perishable goods like soup and canned meat. Stewart is also establishing a mobile cloth ing closet to park around Hall County. Peo ple would be able to walk into the trailer and take whatever items they need. On Sunday, July 26, Stewart took the min istry to downtown Lula. Standing outside at picnic tables, she passed out free sack lunches with her husband to anyone who wanted a meal. Stewart said they plan to extend this service once a month. “To me, my neighbor is not just a person who lives next door,” she said. “To me, any body I come in contact with is my neighbor. I want people to know that God loves them and that he has a purpose and plan for them.” Those who want to donate to the Blessing Box can drop their items from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, by Amanda’s Farm to Fork, located at 5955 Main St. In Lula. Stewart said its current needs include non-perishable pantry items and canned goods. For other donations, contact Stewart via Love Your Neighbor Ministries’ Facebook page. Whether someone accepts free food or clothing, at the end of the day, Stewart said she wants them to leave with something more. “I hope that through this ministry we will get to show people unconditional love,” she said. Photos courtesy Mandy Stewart Above: Mandy Stewart, who started the “Blessing Box” in Lula, has expanded her community service efforts into establishing, Love Your Neighbor Ministries. Left: From left, Mandy and Eric Stewart established Love Your Neighbor Ministries in June 2020 to serve the Lula community with free food, clothing and spiritual support. ‘God kept giving me a burden after the Blessing Box to do more for the community. I just began to pray and ask God, “What is it you’re wanting me to do?” That’s where Love Your Neighbor Ministries was born.’ Mandy Stewart, founder, Love Your Neighbor Ministries ARSON ■ Continued from 1A Gainesville Fire Division Chief Keith Smith said he couldn’t comment on why officials believe the case was arson until the investi gation is complete. “They are still working on some things related to the incident,” he said. Steven Mickens, chief executive officer for Boys & Girls Clubs, said building video cameras captured “some young men on the jungle gym, and it looked like they were smoking because you could see some thing lit.” “One of them tried to put the cigarette out and noticed it wasn’t completely out in the wood chips (ground cov ering). He went back and it looked like he tried to put it out, but then they went about their way.” Later, the video showed “sparks of flame coming up in that area, and the next thing you know, everything was engulfed in flames,” Mickens said. “It was pretty scary for us,” he said. “(The play ground) is close to our build ing, but more importantly, there are trees right behind the jungle gym ... and that really could have sparked a huge fire.” The Boys & Girls Clubs “is more than likely going to have to replace the jungle gym because a significant amount of damage was done,” Mickens. As for replacement cost, that’s not certain. The jun gle gym dates to 2006 or 2007 and might have cost between $25,000 and $35,000 back then, Mickens said. “We do have insurance coverage and we’ve con tacted our broker to put in a claim,” he said. The reward is being offered by Georgia Arson Control, a nonprofit organi zation based out of Suwanee. Playground fire Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact the Gainesville Fire Marshal’s office at 770-594-3612 or the Georgia Arson Control hotline at 1-800-282-5804. I r 1 jjrli sa T'~_ . -4k 21-year-old Lula woman killed in Banks County wreck A 21-year-old Lula woman was killed in a Sunday, July 26, wreck after her car struck a utility pole in Banks County, according to authorities. Courtney Mae Flanagan was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck on Old Hwy. 441 roughly a half-mile north of Simmons Road, according to Georgia State Patrol. Assistant post commander Sgt. C.E. Parker said the state patrol was requested to investigate the one-vehicle wreck around 11 p.m. Sunday. Parker said Flanagan’s 2004 Toyota Corolla “failed to negotiate a left-hand curve” and drove off the west shoul der of the roadway. “Ms. Flanagan was not restrained and was ejected from the vehicle,” Parker wrote in an email. Parker said there will be no charges, but the investiga tion will continue on “whether or not impairment was a factor in the crash.” Gainesville man killed in White County wreck A Gainesville man died on Monday, July 27, after his car struck a ditch and flipped near the Hall-White County line, according to authorities. Jake Chambers, 36, was fatally injured in the wreck around 7:22 a.m. on Skitts Mountain Road, east of Mason Drive. The Georgia State Patrol was requested to assist the White County Sheriff’s Office with the wreck investigation. Chambers was driving a 2000 Ford Mustang westbound on Skitts Mountain Road on a right curve when he left the road off the left shoulder, according to state patrol post commander Auston Allen. Allen said Chambers’ car struck a ditch with its front end and started overturning while heading down an embankment. “(The car) vaulted over its front end, coming to an uncontrolled rest upside down,” Allen wrote in an email. Allen said Chambers was wearing a seatbelt, and no other cars were involved. Nick Watson Photos by SCOTT ROGERS I The Times Melted plastic and charred equipment remain as arson was the cause of a playground fire Saturday, July 25, at Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier, according to authorities. 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