“Serving others remains one of the essentials to living a happy and fulfilled life.” – Chuck Swindoll
For the past several Conventions, Life Members have organized a toiletry drive as a Life on Life Initiative that would bless charities that serve people in need at Life Convention locations. The most recent toiletry drive took place in Kansas City, Missouri at the Weekend of Entrepreneurs event.
Life Member, Shelby Zeier, started the idea a little over a year ago with the first drive being held at the New Year’s Summit Convention in Louisville, KY in January of 2016. Then, in October of 2016, Life Members, Jeremy and Samantha Pethke took over the initiative and have since carried the torch to make the toiletry drive in Kansas City #6. People from all over the world were donating their unused toiletries and in just one hour, they ended up collecting 7 heaping tote bags of donations. When the Life Members dropped the bags off, they were told that 95% of the donations were items that the recipients at the Kansas City Rescue Mission were in urgent need of.
“The donations are really going to help out. We really needed the toiletries. All the donated items go towards our programs like our Steps for Success that helps people transition back to the workforce. It also goes toward helping people in recovery. Thank you for your donations!” – Fred Thomas (KCRM Ministries worker)
Check out what some of the Life Members had to say:
“It feels good to help others out. We have all been there. It feels nice to pay it forward.” – Moe Ward (Life Member)
“Life is really leaving a thumbprint wherever we go.” – Brenda Rasmussen (Life Member)
“It feels really great to see so many people come literally from across the world and donate so many toiletries and make such a huge difference wherever we go”. – Jeremy Pethke (Life Member)
“Just knowing that someone is able to use something I take for granted everyday is humbling and it helps me connect with people.” – Ross Goldsmith (Life Member)
“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NLT) Paying it forward, serving the Lord, touching hearts, whether one or many souls at a time.” – Tina Rasmussen (Life Member)
Life is so proud of everyone who played a part in this Life on Life Initiative. We are certain that this project made a difference in the lives of people who were in need in Kansas City. Thank you to all of those who organized, participated, and donated items. Your service and contribution is inspiring.
**Due to venue rules and restrictions, Life will no longer be formally collecting toiletries at the entrances of future convention locations. If you would like to participate in something similar in the future, it must be coordinated privately within your organization and off-site. As always, if you do host a Life on Life Initiative during a convention weekend, you are welcome to submit all the details for a story to the Life Office. Thanks for your understanding.**
Catherine Redden says
It is so encouraging to see some good news for a change, with so much strife constantly being reported on! I am proud to be a member of the LIFE Leadership community. I look forward to participating in upcoming drives in cities across the USA.
Sonya Strawn says
What a great way to help those in need “Right in our own back yard” and throughout the world.
Im stocking up for the next collection.
Toreka Johnson says
Hi My name is Toreka Johnson. I am from Vanuatu. I would love to share and contribute in the top of helping others. Some of us are born naturally and gifted to help others. And I want to congratulate the others who are helping others in good spirit. By doing this God will continue to provide, take care and bless people who help others in years to comm
Patrick Cormier says
This is an amazing idea that needs more organization! I though I had seen something about this and brought our toiletries from the hotel to donate, asked Life support and no one knew anything about it! Ended up leaving a bag of toiletries at the venue hoping someone would find them!
Sandra Sims says
Love the idea to give back to the community. Helping others is what
Jesus would do! Thanks to all life leadership members who do outstanding work. Sandra Sims