'War Room Show,' other groups give 'presents' to county organizations.
Church Women United wrapped 1,600 pairs of white tube socks to pass out to the Oglethorpe County Senior Center, Quiet Oaks Nursing Home, area churches and other organizations.
Sharon Crawford, co-host of the “War Room Show,” said she knows the value of receiving gifts during the holiday season.
“I remember the time when I was the person on the other side who needed encouraging words,” Crawford said. “I was the person on the other side that didn't know how to reach out for help.”
For the second year in a row, Church Women United and 95.9 FM The Beat of Athens partnered with the “War Room Show,” which is hosted by Crawford and Delbra Kendrick, to provide hand-wrapped gifts to Oglethorpe County residents in need.
Church Women United wrapped 1,600 pairs of white tube socks, using Christmas-themed gift wrapping paper and plastic gift bags, to be passed out to the Oglethorpe County Senior Center, Quiet Oaks Nursing Home, area churches and other organizations.
“The white socks in particular don’t have dye in them,” Kendrick said. “Some of them have sores on their feet or are diabetic, so white socks are just healthy for elderly people.”
Church Women United allows women in various churches to join forces, pooling their money to raise “hundreds of dollars” to purchase the socks for the elderly.
“This is a high for us,” said Jewel Barnette, the ecumenical action person for Church Women United and one of the organizers of the giveaway. “We have done well. We have people who really go out and make sure that it turns out really good.”
The Beat of Athens also helped organize the socks and helped spread the word about the charity.
“Whenever it is (possible) that you can partner with anyone to do the great works that Delbra and her ‘War Room Show’ is doing for the community, is an awesome thing,” said Barbara Sims (“Lady B”), a radio personality and Sunday morning emcee on the station. “So we are excited to know that there are still people in the community that care about people and their welfare, and also teaching the word of God.”
The "War Room Show" contributed and gathered funds through various events and the regular sale of Krispy Kreme doughnuts in the county.
In March 2020, amid the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kendrick debuted the "War Room Show," which started with her singing gospel music over the phone. Over time, the show gained popularity and began to take on charitable endeavors.
At 7 p.m. every Tuesday, the show streams live performances on Facebook Live. Occasionally, it performs at churches in Oglethorpe County.
“The ‘War Room Show’ has an inspirational mission,” Crawford said. “We want people to see what it's like to be in Christ. We bring out awareness. We have different types of interviews with different people that have been through stuff.”
For Kendrick, who writes a weekly column for The Oglethorpe Echo, there’s an unparalleled satisfaction found in the act of extending a helping hand.
“There is a good feeling to be able to give more than to receive because the people that we give gifts to, it just brightens up their spirit and everything just to know that somebody in this community loves and cares for them,” Kendrick said.
As a devotee of providing for those in need, Kendrick said she anticipates more holiday giveaways like this in the future.
“I’m just a giver. I've always given all my life,” Kendrick said. “It's heartwarming to me, especially this time of the year, when people have less. So to do this is truly a blessing.”