Handing out Hope
Rilyn delivered fidgets, crayons, coloring books, cards, books and other items that will be provided to Harnett Health Mental Health and Pediatric patients. She is thankful for family and friends who contributed items to this outreach.
Harnett Health provides healthcare to Harnett County and surrounding communities. It is a private, not-for-profit healthcare organization in Harnett County, NC.
December is the Month of Giving and it revolves around people making a difference by helping others. Rilyn has been busy working on her outreach project for December and she’s excited to spread hope and cheer this Holiday season. A few weeks ago, Rilyn mentioned she would like to give back to children in the community. After talking with the Director of Royal Home Ministries at the Falcon Children’s Home, we found an outreach opportunity that was in line with Rilyn’ s vision. Over the last week, Rilyn has prepared over 100 goody bags including Christmas socks, Chapstick, candy canes and hot chocolate mix. She plans to deliver the goodies the week of Christmas.
There is a need at the Falcon Children’s Home and the Director provided me with a list of other items that are always needed for the children. The list includes the following:
If you would like to donate any of these items, please let me know. Rilyn will be collecting items through Sunday, December 19th.
Today, Rilyn visited the Senior Citizens Village, an assisted living facility located in Dunn, NC. During the month of November, Rilyn collected hand lotion, tissue and Chapstick. With her brother Dagen’s help, she packaged goodie bags including a Thanksgiving bookmark and delivered them to 30 plus residents of the Senior Citizens Village before the Thanksgiving holiday.
There is always something to be thankful for and the Kerley family wishes all of you a Happy Thanksgiving enjoying family, food, and fellowship with those you love most!
In August, Rilyn was awarded the 2021 Service to Mankind award by the Raleigh Sertoma Club. Rilyn was selected as a recipient of the award because of her volunteer work and community service. After receiving this award, the Club nominated Rilyn to receive the award on the regional level (North & South Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland).
In September, Rilyn learned she had been named the recipient of the Atlantic Coast Region Service to Mankind Award. She was not able to attend the conference and accept the award in person, so she prepared an acceptance video to be played during the award service.
Tonight, Rilyn was presented with a plaque for Region Sertoman of the Year for the Atlantic Coast Region. The plaque states, “For Outstanding Service to Your Region and Community”. She was also provided a monetary donation to help towards her next outreach projects.
This evening we had the privilege of attending a dinner meeting with the Raleigh Sertoma Club. We were invited as a family to attend their club meeting because Rilyn was chosen to receive the 2021 Service to Mankind Club Award. This award is the highest honor a Sertoma Club can bestow upon a non-member. Rilyn was selected as a recipient of the award this year because of her volunteer work and community service. The plaque states, “In Recognition of Exceptional Efforts and Contributions to Further the Sertoma Mission”.
Rilyn’s outreach efforts would not be possible without the support of family and friends who believe in her mission. We are thankful to all who have contributed to a project or cause.
Sertoma is a volunteer-driven hearing health nonprofit organization, helping the more than 50 million people with hearing health issues. Raleigh Sertoma has been delivering SERvice TO MAnkind for more than 70 years. In addition to a national hearing health focus, Raleigh Sertoma sponsors several other nonprofit organizations and community projects such as backpacks and holiday gifts for local children, staffing the Salvation Army Angel Tree and many more.
Rilyn collected school supplies during the month of July and today we delivered those items to the Harnett County Department on Aging. Earlier this summer, Rilyn decided her next outreach project would benefit school-aged children in the community. Rilyn had a desire and an opportunity presented itself through the Harnett County Family Caregiver Program.
On July 8th, the Harnett County Family Caregiver Program began accepting donations for a “Back to School Supply Drive”. Donations received are being used to help reduce the cost for grandparents taking care of their grandchildren. Items needed include backpacks, pencils, markers, rulers, notebooks, glue, scissors, folders, calculators and more. Monetary donations are also accepted. Donations are accepted at 309 W. Cornelius Harnett Blvd. Room #109 Lillington, NC 27526. For more information, you can contact Latorius Adams at 910.814.6075 or lsadams@harnett.org.
Blessing Box Ministry, a non-profit organization located in Dunn, NC, serves individuals of Eastern North Carolina communities with food distribution, clothing, and much more. Over the past month, Rilyn has collected hygiene items along with activity books and snacks to create blessing bags for this organization. Today, she was able to deliver over 40 bags to this ministry.
Today, Rilyn’s outreach efforts brought us to the City of Dunn Animal Control Facility. Rilyn has been saving her chore money to purchase supplies for the shelter. We also received generous donations from family members.
During our visit, Rilyn got a chance to love on Kobe! He was so precious! Kobe recently had surgery to remove a mass on his tongue. The facility is waiting on pathology results and if everything looks okay, he will be available for adoption. We are praying for Kobe and all the other shelter pets.
If you’re interested in donating to Dunn Animal Control, the facility maintains a wish list on Amazon and Walmart. Donations can be dropped off at the shelter between the hours of 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday. The facility is located at 552 JW Edwards Ln. Dunn, NC 28334.
Over the past few days, Rilyn has stuffed Easter treat bags with candy, colored pencils, crafts, and other trinkets for young girls at Simply Girls, Inc., a non-profit organization located in Dunn, N.C. Today, we had the pleasure of delivering the gifts just in time for the program’s Easter party scheduled for tomorrow. Rilyn was excited to be able to provide a treat to other young girls like herself.
Simply Girls, Inc. is an after school and summer program for girls ages five to 18. Through a partnership with schools and business leaders, Simply Girls, Inc. focuses on the development of young girls in the community. As stated on their website, “The combination of long-lasting mentoring relationships, a pro-girl environment, and educational programming equips girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers, and grow up healthy, educated, and independent.”
Happy Valentine’s Day! On this day, many will exchange candy, flowers, and heartfelt messages to express their love for one another. Rilyn expressed her love for community this month by putting together Valentine treat bags for Dunn Seniors. Now more than ever, love and compassion are needed by so many. She enjoyed creating Valentines for those in her community who may be isolated or home bound during this season.
Happy New Year everyone! It’s hard to believe today is the last day of January. Rilyn has been busy behind the scenes organizing her outreach efforts for the month. She chose to provide supplies to three public schools in the Dunn community, which included Harnett Primary, Wayne Avenue and Dunn Middle Schools. Rilyn’s goal was to provide cleaning/sanitizing supplies and other miscellaneous items to the selected schools. As a family, we are thankful for their dedication to inspire and develop youth in the Dunn community, especially during such a trying and ever-changing time. Rilyn’s efforts were supported by donations and a fundraiser organized by a family member who desired to assist her with her outreach project. Rilyn is so thankful for the support and encouragement she receives from family and friends.
Rilyn’s Reach was truly a collaboration of many this month. Several friends and family members played a part in making this outreach a success by contributing donations and words of encouragement and blessings. This week, 70 seniors in the Dunn community will receive a package that includes a pair of socks, gloves, Chapstick, lotion, and a personal card from Rilyn. We received several word puzzles, Bibles, Devotionals and coloring books along with colored pencils that will also be distributed to these seniors. Due to Covid-19, Rilyn is not able to personally deliver items, but the Dunn Senior Enrichment Center coordinator assured us they would be grinning from ear to ear. Many of these individuals are homebound and have no family or interaction with others. Many have passed away this year not from sickness, but loneliness. May we all be a blessing to someone during this Christmas season and throughout the upcoming year.
Rilyn’s outreach project for November was coordinated with the Harnett County Division on Aging. After speaking with a Counselor earlier this month, we learned of a need for homebound seniors and grandparents raising grandchildren. Through generous donations from family and friends, Rilyn was able to deliver adult diapers, baby diapers, wipes, clothing and formula to the Harnett County Government Complex in Lillington, NC. So many families struggle to afford basic hygiene products and our prayer is this donation will bless those in need during this season of thanksgiving.
Harnett County Division on Aging coordinates services and programs for older adults, educates the public in successful aging, acts as a catalyst for new programs and services in the interest of older adults. If you would like to learn more or donate, please call 910.893.7578.
Today, Rilyn and I delivered donations to the UNC Children’s Hospital in Chapel Hill. In September, we reached out to the hospital to plan and discuss the donation process and a wish list of items. After speaking with Development Services, it was brought to my attention since UNC Children’s is funded, in part by the state of North Carolina, they have many purchasing restrictions, and that leaves the hospital being very dependent upon others to help provide for patients’ needs. They are open to receiving items that will provide some comfort and a little normalcy to what may be a stressful time otherwise.
Almost six years ago in October 2014, Rilyn was also a patient at UNC Children’s after receiving second degree burns on her right hand. We are forever grateful for the medical care she received during her stay and during the year long physical therapy and healing process.
“UNC Children’s clinical home, NC Children’s Hospital, delivers world-class, family centered, care and we treat over 80,000 children, from all 100 counties throughout North Carolina and beyond each year. Our patients range in age from birth – 18 years old, and we have 150 inpatient beds at the hospital. We also have a State-accredited school within the hospital, a pediatric emergency room and the Triangle’s only Level I pediatric trauma center. As well, UNC Children’s offers an outpatient clinic at the hospital, a full-service facility in Raleigh and more than 25 satellite subspecialty clinics across North Carolina.” ~UNC Development Services
My dad and I volunteered at the DUMA (Dunn United Ministerial Association) Food Pantry today. We helped package food and load it in people’s cars. Other members of our church, First Presbyterian Church of Dunn, were also there. I’m happy I was able to help! ~Rilyn
DUMA organizers stated food was distributed to approximately 80 families within Dunn today. Some weeks they distribute food to roughly 160 families. I can only imagine what the need is in larger cities and towns. ~Casey
The DUMA Food Pantry is a partnership of area churches to financially support and serve residents of Dunn (Harnett County) who are in need of food. The DUMA Food Pantry distributes food monthly, every 2nd and 4th Tuesday.
On July 20th, Rilyn and I delivered care packages to SAFE of Harnett County, located in Lillington, NC. Each baggie was stuffed with toiletries, non-perishable snacks, an activity for adults and children and love. After visiting with SAFE of Harnett County, we learned these donations will be especially beneficial during hurricane (storm) season. When storms hit, families may be moved from one shelter to another; the items will be helpful during this type of transition. SAFE of Harnett County, Inc., (SAFE) is a private, non-profit organization that provides safety and advocacy for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. SAFE fulfills this mission through the support of our community and volunteers. Visit their site, http://www.safeofhc.org for ways you can help.
~Melissa
Rilyn's Reach