We, Brian & Kristi Littleton and Karen & Jimmie Campbell, began the Bertha Preston Memorial Coat Fund in the fall of 2002 after the passing of our dear church friend Bertha Preston. We all attended Community Bible Church at the time together. It was always the joy of Bertha to be able to give coats to kids each winter so they would never have to go out in the cold. We have chosen the months of Nov
ember and December as the mission for purchasing coats for kids. Brian and Karen decided to keep this wonderful project going even after the death of Bertha Preston. So that is how we started the fund in 2002, and since that day on October 29, 2002 we have seen so many smiles and tears of joy on God’s little children’s faces. Hopefully, with the mission help of Community Bible Church, Crosspoint Community Church , Ebenezer Meeting House, and various donors we are able to continue this year after year. Two verses that keep us reminded of why this project is so important:
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 18:10)
And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matthew 18:2-6)
A 2010 story to touch your heart:
Two years ago we gave two young girls each a coat; they were left in a day care center by their mother and she never came back for them. The foster parent called us and told us the girls put those coats on and didn’t want to take them off at bedtime. This is why we go and purchase over 100 coats for kids each year.
