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Who Knows? You May Be Helping An Angel

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 13, 2006

Brandon, FL - Brandon, FL - Gene Hink didn't have to hear her story to know she needed help.

The desperation on the young woman's face said it all.

She showed up at the Emergency Care Help Organization after hours. Hink, a longtime ECHO volunteer, was on hand, as he typically is, taking care of a never-ending laundry list of chores that can't be accomplished when the nonprofit is open and a never-ending stream of people needing food and clothing flows through the doors.

The woman's request was simple. In a quivering voice, she asked if she could please have some diapers for her baby.

Typically, churches and service organizations refer clients to ECHO. The clients then fill out paperwork for temporary aid until they are able to qualify for government assistance.

This young mother had no referral, no paperwork.

What she had was a wet, hungry baby and an immediate need.

Hink didn't ask any questions. Noticing that the woman wore only a T-shirt in the chilly weather, he told her to go inside and find some warm clothing for the baby and herself. He then packed a grocery bag full of food and diapers.

He never saw her again and still wonders if she and the child are OK.

"It's just not in me to turn anyone away," he said. "I could never sit down to a meal in good conscience knowing that I turned away someone who was hungry or in need."

And, just maybe, that person will someday be in a position to help someone else and will remember that single gesture of kindness, Hink added, recalling the Hebrews 13:2 Bible verse: "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

ECHO has been entertaining strangers for 20 years now, providing well over a week's worth of groceries, clothing, new school shoes and school supplies for children, diapers and formula for babies and household essentials for Brandon families during their most desperate times.

And the organization continues to provide for people year after year solely through the support of the community. ECHO receives no government funding. All donations come from Brandon residents, churches, service organizations and businesses.

Unfortunately, according to ECHO director Stacy Efaw, this year the organization is having trouble keeping up with the increasing demands.

In a nutshell: The needs are outweighing the donations.

In past years, the annual Brandon News Empty Stocking Fund has raised thousands of dollars to carry ECHO through the winter. This year, donations are barely trickling in.

Efaw said the annual Empty Stocking Fund is critical because it's used to purchase perishable foods that aren't donated as well as new underwear for children, diapers and formula.

Thinking about all the $10 and $20 checks people write this time of year to show their appreciation to their newspaper carriers, postal workers and other service provides, ECHO volunteer Hink hopes residents also remember the organization that provides for "angels unawares."

Checks can be made out to Sunbelt Newspapers with "Empty Stocking Fund" written on the memo line and mailed to The Brandon News, 505 W. Robertson St., Brandon, FL 33511. Donors will be listed in
The Brandon News unless they wish to remain anonymous.

D'Ann White is editor of The Brandon News.

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