Sample Love Packets
One bitterly cold day in March of 2006, Mary Beth was sitting in the bus station in downtown Amarillo, Texas, waiting for the city bus to take her home. She noticed a policeman making his way among the seated passengers. He was handing out little packets of cookies and candy to everybody, chatting with them as if he’d known them all their lives, and even giving out hugs to the little children. Tears filled her eyes as she watched him making a difference in the lives of all these people.
Right then and there she silently prayed and asked if she could possibly do something similar, but for hurting children. Almost immediately she had an idea to make “comfort bags” for kids in need. She mentioned the idea to her husband and friend that night, and they both got on board and started helping her.
Since that cold March day in 2006, Mary Beth and her “Love Packet Ministry” partners have handed out over 3,000 love packets to kids in crisis situations. They get help from family members, friends, girl scouts, and youth groups from a local church (which has also provided them with their own workroom).
Each love packet contains a cuddly stuffed animal, a juice box, an individual package of either cookies or cheese crackers, a Bible card, a folder filled with coloring pages, a storybook and a pack of crayons. Sometimes the Valero gasoline company donates fleece blankets to put inside as well.
Building the Love Packets
In addition to these “regular” organizations, last year they made up 200 love packets for street children in the Philippines, which their church shipped out for them, and this year they are gearing up to make 300 packets for the children of deployed troop members from Amarillo.
Mary Beth and her team never get to see the children receiving the packets. That rule exists for privacy reasons, and every team member understands and accepts it. They’ve been told time and again that the children smile when they receive the packets, and that’s all the thanks they need to keep up this work forever.
The members of the Love Packet Ministry give from their hearts to touch the lives of children that they’ll never know. Their message to each child is simple: “Even though you are in a tough situation right now, it WILL get better. God loves you, and so do we.”
Mary Beth, I’d like to personally thank you and every one of your team members for all the work you do for the children of Amarillo. You’ve touched my heart, and I’m honored to serve alongside you.
If you’d like to get in touch with Mary Beth Waters to discuss setting up a local chapter of Love Packets in your town, you may do so here:
Phone: (806) 356-8720
Twitter: @marygirl20071
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