CULLMAN – Destiny Church held their first ‘Coats and Candy’ ministry outreach on Saturday, November 1. The day went off without a hitch and the church family looks forward to making it an annual event for the Cullman community to enjoy. Destiny has been accepting coat donations since August of this year and is already accepting coats and monetary donations for next year’s ‘Coats and Candy.’
Immediately after extending the invitation to the community, calls and contributions for coats and candy came from all over the Cullman community. A total of 214 new and gently used coats were gifted. The coats were organized and stored at a church member’s home where they were inspected, washed, organized by size and gender, and then hung on hangers to be transported to the church.
The coats donated ranged in sizes from girls and boys to young men and women to adult men and women. Monetary donations were also accepted even on the day of the event. Alisa Thompson, praise and worship leader, was out on Saturday buying loads of candy and was asked what she was preparing for. Alisa had the opportunity to explain ‘Coats and Candy’ to the woman. The woman then blessed Alisa with $20 and told her, “I’ve been there.” The woman was glad to be able to sew into a ministry to help others who were in a position where she had once been.
As everyone walked into Destiny Church, the Frozen soundtrack played in the background for a festive and fun feel. Destiny Church member, Mandy Redding, then shared a 10 minute gospel message to the folks in attendance. Some accepted Christ into their hearts and their lives were changed for eternity! Everyone watched the movie, Frozen, as they waited for their turn to get sized and blessed with a coat at the ‘Big Summer Blowout Boutique’.
Snowflakes throughout the boutique contributed to the chilly weather, and of course, the Frozen theme for the day. Families walked in and were assisted by boutique helpers to find the right size coat for each family member. As each person got their coat, they filled the pockets full of candy with the help of Olaf the snowman! Everyone was blessed with a coat just for them. With their new coat and pockets full of candy, an invitation was extended to enjoy a chili supper provided by chili cook-off contestants of Destiny Church.
If you would like to donate coats or funds for next year’s ‘Coats and Candy,’ call Destiny Church at 256-737-9254.
