John 3:16 Women’s Ministry recently presented donations for gift wrapping that was done at Batesville Walmart Store #119 in December. On hand for the presentation of the donation were (front row from left) Paula Lewis, Lisa Tuggle, and Erin Trautwein from John 3:16; Felicia Rose from the Humane Society of Independence County; (back row) Consumables Team Lead Jeremy Taylor, Front End Coach Miah Hisel and Food/Consumables Team Lead Gio Ramos from Walmart.
By Andrea Bruner
Last year, the Humane Society of Independence County (HSIC) rehomed 450 animals to new homes – that’s more than one a day – but with every adoption, there are scores more waiting in the wings.
So when John 3:16 Women’s Ministry approached Walmart Store #119 Manager Clint Garrett about raising money for a local charity via gift wrapping services, HSIC seemed an obvious choice.
Erin Trautwein, an instructor at John 3:16, said the women from the ministry at Charlotte put in more than 600 man-hours during the holiday season, wrapping gifts for shoppers and raising a total of $3,173 that was given to HSIC.
“Years ago, John 3:16 used to do gift wrapping at The Mall at Turtle Creek in Jonesboro, and it was done by donation only. The donations were then given to a charity that was chosen by the mall, and last year the women’s ministry decided to revive the tradition, but somewhere more locally. So we talked to the manager at the Batesville Walmart store about doing something similar,” Trautwein said.
She said Garrett was happy to form this partnership, with HSIC as the recipient this year. She said a team of five (sometimes more) women from John 3:16 set up inside the retail store for 10 hours, three days a week, for four weeks, wrapping presents purchased at Batesville Walmart.
“We like to be involved in the community. This not only provides a service to the public, but it’s also a team builder for our ladies and allows them to be involved in a different service than they normally do, the cooking and cleaning,” Trautwein said.
Last year, proceeds were given to a different nonprofit organization, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Independence County, and Trautwein said they hope to make this an annual fundraiser.
Felicia Rose, manager at the HSIC shelter located at 5 Environmental Drive in Batesville, said their organization appreciates the donation so much, particularly because there is a tremendous need for adoptive homes.
“Our goal is do an adoption every day, and we’d like to adopt one dog and one cat every day,” she said. “Arkansas state law requires that every animal has to be altered (spayed or neutered) before it can get adopted, and with this many dogs and cats, that’s a huge expense.”
Trautwein said they were thrilled to be able to present the donation to HSIC after Christmas but stressed that really, it’s the community who gave the donations.
“We had a great time doing it, the girls loved it, and I loved it, we learned so much while doing this,” Trautwein said. “December is a perfect time to give back to an organization that does so much for our local animals in need. It’s all about the true meaning of Christmas.”
Located in Charlotte with campuses for men and women, John 3:16 is a spiritual boot camp for those with drug and alcohol addictions.
Image submiited
Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ every weekday morning and afternoon. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5.
