5th ANNUAL SCHOOL SUPPLIES GIVEAWAY AT FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF OBLONG
FREE! That got your attention didn’t it! For the past 5 summers, Belle Kemp, 2018 Oblong High School graduate and member of the First Christian Church of Oblong, has raised funds for and hosted an annual School Supplies Giveaway for her community.
Kemp created her own ministry in 2014 known as the J-17-14 MISSION that focuses on community outreach. The mission is based on the scripture Jeremiah 17:14, which says, “Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are the one I praise.” At first, J-17-14 was only a card ministry. Kemp would send cards to families who were suffering or send a letter of encouragement to those who needed it, and occasionally send some money to those very families.
Next, J-17-14 grew into a locker ministry at her high school, in which she encouraged her fellow classmates to continue and pursue extracurricular activities by placing different emblems/graphics to represent their extracurricular activities on their lockers, which took extra time and effort as she was also a student-athlete who participated in several clubs, academic teams, and organizations. “I simply wanted the students in my school to know that their hard work in not only school, but also sports, clubs, academic teams, etc. was not unnoticed,” says Kemp. “Being a student who participates in one or more extracurricular activities can be challenging and time consuming. I wanted to encourage them in some way, so I wrote the members of each team/club a card with an encouraging quote or scripture, and decorated their lockers with a graphic that represented their sport, club, team, etc.”
But, at one point, she felt like she could do more through this mission after being challenged from a week long Christian conference in the summer of 2015. That same summer, Kemp came up with the idea of hosting a backpack giveaway, which has served over 200 families over the past 5 years. “As I look back at all the work each giveaway was and all the stress that I went through since I was 15 years old, I can’t help but thank the Lord for His will on my life to serve my community and surrounding communities in this particular way. I would do it all again in a heartbeat. Just helping one kid by providing him or her with school supplies that they may otherwise not be able to afford is my definition of success.”
All this being said, the J-17-14 MISSION would love to invite all students in Crawford County, Jasper County, Richland County, and surrounding counties to come participate in its 5th Annual School Supplies Giveaway on Saturday, August 10 at the First Christian Church of Oblong from 2pm-4pm in the Family Life Center. Each student who comes must be accompanied by an adult and will receive an individualized backpack full of certain school supplies, while supplies last. There will be a total of 100-120 backpacks available during the giveaway this summer. Supplies in the bags differ between elementary and junior/high school students. Refreshments will also be provided, as well as an inflatable obstacle course. This summer will be Kemp’s last summer hosting the giveaway as her college career continues and different summer internships arise. “I am so incredibly sad that this will be my last year hosting the giveaway, but it also motivates me to make this giveaway the best and biggest one yet! I want to make sure I leave an impact on my community while simultaneously promoting education.” Make sure to participate in the giveaway on August 10 or help spread the word!
Kemp is the youngest daughter of Keith & Amy Kemp who own Daring to Soar Ministries & Blue Potato Music. She is a junior at Cedarville University in Ohio and is majoring in social work while playing basketball. She wishes to dedicate her life to serving others while advancing the kingdom of God.
