MARLBORO COUNTY — Mother, and member of the Marlboro County School District Board, Nikki Pruitt said she became troubled by what she saw at several bus stops across the county — students waiting for their bus in freezing temperatures wearing very little to keep them warm.
“I saw these concerns and decided to try and make a difference by providing warmer clothing for those who may need it all across our school district,” said Pruitt. “So, I asked my pastors [Dr. Eddie Pruitt and Dr. Nancy Pruitt] at our church [Kingdom Life World Outreach Ministries] if we could run a coat drive and they absolutely agreed.”
Pruitt says the Kingdom Life World Outreach Ministries winter clothing drive was a first for the church, but she hopes to see it becoming an annual event. She says the donated winter weather gear was dropped off at schools across the county for students.
“The coats were dropped off at the district office, and they will be distributing them to the schools who will then make them available to anyone who may need one. I believe that this coat drive was such a huge success that I can definitely see future initiatives taking place,” said Pruitt, adding, “The most rewarding takeaway for me is to see the community come together regardless of any differences we may have in order to make a difference in the lives of our young people! The young people need to see more unity and less division.”
Pruitt credits several area businesses for helping make the event a success, such as Kingdom Life World Outreach Ministries, Axios Investigations of Fayetteville, Southern Packaging, MPD Coop, Luck Law Firm, Cudds Insurance, Midgley Agency, State Farm, Dairy Dream, Fruitful Souls, Fowler Pharmacy, Members of the community to include Anna Stubbs, Robert Goff. Nancy Jo Wood, Debbie Polson, and Dorothy Bryson.
Altogether, the clothing drive resulted in 350 coats and more than $3,300 raised, furthering donations of jackets, hats and gloves.
“When we put aside differences, we can change the world. I pray this initiative sparks the fire of unity in our commUNITY. The only thing Moses had in his hand was a staff. He used that staff and the power of the Holy Spirit to part the waters. What is in your hand? Exodus 4:2 God can use ordinary things for extraordinary purposes,” reminds Pruitt.