The Adventist Community Service Center runs on donations which either go directly to clients in need, or are monetized to purchase food and supplies for those needing this type of assistance. I want to tell you a story on one family’s special donation.
A certain volunteer and her daughter who also volunteers, brought a collection of over 1200 baseball caps to the center. To say the least, we were overwhelmed. But where did all of these caps come from? The collector, a member of Madison Campus Church and long time deacon, collected ball caps since about the 1990’s, wherever he came across them; during road trips with his family, along the highway, in convenience stores, ball games, work events, amusements parks, purchases and I’m sure many were gifted to him. He never passed up a hat that needed a home. These were all kept in large plastic containers, mostly still new with tags.
After his death, his wife and daughter decided that the best place for this massive collection was the 403. This would allow the friends we serve to “cover their heads” with hats given with love. Little did we know, how much value they truly had.
Fast forward 3 months. Believe me, we have given away 100’s of caps, BUT some of the more collectible ones have flown off the shelf, being purchased by collectors, other boutique stores and our regular shoppers. Last month a vintage shop owner purchased more than $2,500. worth of the caps. Also many have been for sale on E-Bay and Market Place. In the last 2 weeks alone, 4 have sold for nearly $100 each. One for $163. In total this generous donation has brought in approximately $8,000. Our famous collector would have loved to know this story, that his precious collection of baseball caps. which took years to acquire, have found the best possible outcome.
Because of him and his family, many needs at the 403 are being met. Families are being fed, needed items are being distributed and the love of Jesus is being shared. All because one man loved to collect baseball caps.
By now you must have guessed that this man was Dan Gibson. And we are grateful to his wife, Faye and daughter, Denise for their generosity to the mission of the 403. “ Love God, Love People, Serve the world.”
I cannot close this story without adding our gratefulness for the long hours of research, packaging and mailing of this caps to Vickie Anderson. Vickie, also a volunteer, is in charge of these types of sales and we are blessed by her dedication. And FYI the E-Bay contact is acs center403, member since 2023.
There is another form of donation that the 403 is in constant need of. Lately, we have been running on empty. We cannot function effectively without people who choose to donate their time, energy and heart to serve those is need. Why would people volunteer at all? Many reasons. Jesus called us to be servants and in serving we receive blessings and witness the changes of those we help, we might want to use our skills after retirement, we want to get out of the house, we might want the companionship of other volunteers, we might just want to work, we might just want to see what goes on over the 403. You ask then – is there room for me? Well, yes, for sure. Whether you can give a couple hours a month, one day a week or more there is a job for you. Come on in, take a tour, visit with a couple of volunteers, step out of your comfort zone, and check out the operation. We need cashiers, interviewers, monitors, decorators, preparers of clothes and linens to be placed in the store, pricers, preparers of food boxes, lunches etc., heavy lifters (as in people who are able to lift heavy stuff, you don’t have to be heavy) and so many other jobs. NOTE: If your kids need community hours, this IS the place.
