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Several Members of “The Word Ministry Church” came to Selma from Sardis, Alabama on Tuesday to give blankets, throws, socks including other personal care items such as toothbrushes and toothpaste to the elderly residents of Arabella Health and Wellness of Selma, just in time for the holiday season.

Activities Director Marva Eaton said she was so excited about the donation from the church because it is that time of season and residents typically love this around this time of year.

“It is something that is needed,” said Eaton. “The weather is changing, and we are thankful for this organization for thinking of our residents during this time.”

Eaton said during this time of year, several organizations throughout the community of Selma, usually come to the facility to support, show love and bless their residents during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season including all year-round. But said this year, The Word Ministry Church was the only donor so far.

Overseer and Pastor Bishop B.A. Scott Sr. of the church said the idea to donate to the facility stemmed from one of their brothers in Christ within the church named Fred Scott and said another big contributor to the E.M.P.A.C.T. kids’ fellowship group success is Brother Arthur Reese, who is also a dedicated member within the church.

“ As brother Scott sat down and brought us the idea and told us what the nursing facility really needed, we thank God for a group of people within The Word Ministry that jumped on board and said, “Let’s make it happen”, and we give credit to the people that gave finances, went shopping and those who took the time to put the bags together and those who came out today to be a part of this giving,” said Scott Sr.

“We have been giving back to all the nursing homes within the community ever since we started the ministry 33 years ago.” During that time, we learned that the nursing facilities within the community needed more than just apples and oranges during the holidays and we found with brother Scott talking to a lot of the patients here, that they also needed socks to keep their feet cold and they needed blankets, because the elderly people loved to be warm.”

As Scott Sr. walked the hall behind the church’s fellowship group, seeing residents, he said he noticed quite a few seniors of the facility, already bundled up in their newly donated wool blankets.

130 blankets went out to the residents of the nursing home and Scott Sr. said the members of his congregation had the opportunity to also participate in the event which led to them buying blankets as well.

“This event is not only to help the seniors but it’s also a teaching moment for our young men of E.M.P.A.C.T., to know one of the more important things in ministry and in life is giving back,” Scott Sr. said. “They are learning a valuable lesson and as high school kids, they are very active in the services and in all parts of the ministry and today, they are sharing heartfelt compassion to the elderly.”

Scott Sr. said he and his congregation gives Christ all the Glory for the event, because if they don’t have giving, they don’t have anything at all and said that’s what this event is all about, a growing ministry with a giving attitude to help the community, especially those of the youth and the elderly.

“We’ve all some association with the elderly,” said Scott Sr. “My wife’s grandmother and Brother Scott’s grandmother was in this facility and so, I would encourage each and every one of the community to at least take the time during the holidays to visit a nursing home of your choice and carry something and just give, even if it’s nothing but your time.”