It seems that I have been waiting my whole life for 80 yrs to arrive. I can remember saying when I was really young, "Can you imagine being called "Judy" at 80 yrs. old?" Yet, my mother didn't want to name me Judith, it sounded too old. Well, here I am at 80, and I like the name that sounds so young!!
With that being said, I really wanted to celebrate being 80. Then Covid 19 hit. Nothing was going to be the same, especially celebrations.. I couldn't have people gather in one place, too dangerous. People who lived away from New York State couldn't travel here anyway. Besides that, celebrating didn't seem right when so many thousands of people were dying, sick, having hard times making ends meet, and not enough food to go around to feed their families. I wanted to do something that would say who I am and what my life stands for.
You all know who I am. Wife, Mom, Grandma, Sister,Aunt, Pastor Judy, Friend, Disciple of Christ. I've been very active as a United Methodist Pastor for over 40 yrs. People have always meant so much to me and helping people was my priority. In my 80 yrs. I have worked in 8 senior centers, established 6 food pantries, organized a thrift store, volunteered for Living Well in Penn Yan, and served 11 churches. Then I thought, what better way to celebrate my birthday than to reach out to all of you and first of all thank you for being a part of my life, and second asking you to help me celebrate by contributing to Foodlink in Rochester, NY (serving 10 counties). Perhaps you have asked yourself what you could do to help in this terrible Pandemic? Most of us don't have the means or the physical ability to do something. Being that I have helped start food pantries, I know there is a great need to feed people.
I would like to raise $5000. At first I thought that was a lot, but my grandson said, "Grandma, go for it!" So here goes. Would you all honor me by contributing something to this great need? Please give what you think God is leading you to do. I know you will be blessed. Remember Jesus said one thing we must do is feed the hungry (Matt 25:35). There is nothing that would please me more for my 80th birthday than to help feed the hungry and to make a difference in people's lives. I can't do it alone. I need your help. Please consider this request and do something before my birthday, September 12, 2020. Thank you and God Bless you. I love you so much.