Summer Star Volunteer Alton
July 9, 2016
Meet Alton- AiYD Summer Star Volunteer
Alton is retired from a lifelong career in the Navy where he was able to travel all around the world and have many great experiences. Working on submarines, he says he had the unique experience of being able to say that he “has been 600 feet below the ocean and lived to tell about it”! He has traveled all over the United States, and to Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. He and his wife Chris have lived in many interesting places including California and Hawaii before they settled down in Alton’s home state of Texas. Alton says he loves too many things to pick just one hobby or activity: “every day provides new opportunities.” He is very involved in Walnut Ridge Baptist Church and is always looking for new ways to serve Christ through projects and programs that bless others.
How Did Alton Become a Volunteer?
A long time attendee of Walnut Ridge Baptist Church, Alton has known about Allies in Youth Development since Director Chris Burgin first founded the organization! Since then, his interest has grown into support and volunteerism. He says “The Bible says we are supposed to take care of the widows and orphans and Allies does that. Allies is a great program to give to. There are not many more worthwhile agendas out there.”
1. Christmas in July
After attending AiYD’s Color Their World Banquet in September 2015, Alton was deeply touched by what our orphans’ lives are like. He says God led him to want to do something significant for orphans through Allies. He came up with a whole new idea called “Christmas in July” hoping it would be the perfect time to do a large donation drive since it is between all the large holidays and events like Christmas and Back-to-School. His idea really took off due to his diligence and creativity. Alton knew it was important to see the project all the way through and so he not only served on the Planning Committee but he has donated supplies and he and his wife Chris volunteered every weekuntilall of the bags were prepared for the program! He has served in every area of this wonderful event and we cannot wait to see just how wonderfully it will bless children on the other side of the world.
2. Christmas in July
This summer, Allies has been very honored by the participation of two local churches in our first annual “Christmas in July!” First United Methodist Church of Mansfield made this their Mission Project for Vacation Bible Camp! Their team taught kids all about orphans and what they can do to help children on the other side of the world. The support was overwhelming! Kids and parents donated $3,700 throughout the course of the week and filled 400 hygiene kits to send overseas. Allies is deeply thankful for the love and service demonstrated by First United Methodist Church of Mansfield.
Stay tuned! This month, Walnut Ridge Baptist Church will participate in “Christmas in July” in Vacation Bible School and Adult Sunday School Classes. You can donate hygiene items to be sent to orphans and vulnerable children in Eastern Europe, Moldova, South Ossetia and Ukraine. The children you support with your donations are often without necessary items like shoes, clothing and soap. You can make their lives better by filling a hygiene kit with these much needed items. Kits will be available to fill Sunday, July 10th- July 31st.