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The power of one person changes lives

CHURCH-COMMUNITY CONNECTION Pastor Ed Delph

Peoria Times Columnist

Allow me to share a true story about the power of one person who was willing to step into an impossible situation.

In this case, it was a maid who chose to make a difference. She stepped out of her comfort zone and into the darkness of a dark situation. She acknowledged the reality but took the first step into a remedy. And the rest is history.

I’ve fact-checked this actual event, and it is true. So read this narrative, everyday people who are future “Solutionaries” and “Difference Makers” willing to engage or give to someone overlooked and ignored.

Dr. Frank Mayfield was touring Tewksbury Institute when, on his way out, he accidentally collided with an elderly floor maid. To cover the awkward moment, Dr. Mayfield started asking questions. “How long have you worked here?” “I’ve worked here almost since the place opened,” the maid replied. “What can you tell me about the history of this place?” he asked. “I don’t think I can tell you anything, but I could show you something.”

With that, she took his hand and led him down to the basement under the oldest section of the building. She pointed to one of what looked like small prison cells, their iron bars rusted with age, and said, “That’s the cage where they used to keep Annie Sullivan.” “Who is Annie?” the doctor asked.

“Annie was a young girl who was brought in here because she was incorrigible — nobody could do anything with her. She’d bite and scream and throw her food at people. The doctors and nurses couldn’t even examine her or anything. I’d see them trying with her spitting and scratching at them.

“I was only a few years younger than her myself, and I used to think, ‘I sure would hate to be locked up in a cage like that.’ I wanted to help her, but I didn’t have any idea what I could do. I mean, if the doctors and nurses couldn’t help her, what could someone like me do?

“I didn’t know what else to do, so I baked her some brownies one night after work. The next day I brought them in. I walked carefully to her cage and said, ‘Annie, I baked these brownies just for you. I’ll put them right here on the floor, and you can come and get them if you want.’

“Then I got out of there as fast as I could because I was afraid she might throw them at me. But she didn’t. She took the brownies and ate them. After that, she was a bit nicer to me when I was around. Sometimes I’d talk to her. Once, I even got her laughing.

“One of the nurses noticed this, and she told the doctor. They asked me if I’d help them with Annie. I said I would if I could. So, that’s how it came about that every time they wanted to see Annie or examine her, I went into the cage first and explained why they were coming in. My explanation calmed her down, and I held her hand to reassure her.

“As a result of this, they discovered that Annie was almost blind. After working with her for about a year — and it was tough sledding with Annie — the Perkins Institute for the Blind opened its doors. They were able to help her, and she went on to study, and she then became a teacher herself.

“Annie came back to the Tewksbury Institute to visit and see what she could do to help. At first, the director didn’t say anything, but then he thought about a letter he’d just received. A man had written to him about his daughter. She was unruly — almost like an animal. She was blind and deaf as well as ‘deranged.’ He was at his wit’s end, but he didn’t want to put her in an asylum. So, he wrote the institute to ask if they knew anyone who would come to his house and work with his daughter.

“And that is how Annie Sullivan be-

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Community support shines raising $540K

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF

The Catholic Community Foundation hosted nearly 600 supporters during its 32nd annual event, Crozier Gala Goes to Monte Carlo.

This year, the goal of the evening was to raise money for the foundation’s community granting funds. Recognizing that everyone has an innate desire to help others, the foundation created a set of perpetual savings funds, called endowments, designed to support critical areas of need within our community. This year was the first time in the 32 years of the gala that had a direct fundraising component.

“There are many longtime supporters of the Gala who experienced an evening much different than in years past,” said Deacon James Carabajal, CEO at Catholic Community Foundation.

“The foundation is called to identify need, engage donors, and provide stewarded financial support to our community’s frontline organizations. Times are very different, and many, many local ministries need our help. We are here to do just that.” The event’s title sponsors included Catholic Education Arizona and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona.

Gathering to support community

The night’s featured event included a live auction paddle raise that directly supported the foundation’s Forever Fund Endowments. These endowments are perpetual, disbursing annual grants that fund community needs through the foundation’s Giving Circle Program.

In its eighth year, the Giving Circle is a granting program that gives members a more active role in helping the community.

“It’s become a part of our life to be members of the Giving Circle,” said Jon Olson, Lifetime Giving Circle member and an attendee of the event.

“It makes you appreciate the gifts God has given you, and in turn, can give to someone else. Here’s a great opportunity to be more intimate in taking care of the community.” The foundation’s Giving Circle program is the only Catholic granting circle in Arizona.

Many ways to help

The evening’s events included browsing raffle items, casino gaming, live auction bidding and a sneak preview of the foundation’s newest program, the online giving platform Shop For A Cause.

This program provides a safe way for individuals to help the needs of local nonprofits. Organizations plug in their needs, from diapers to Chromebooks, and donors can go online and shop, purchase and ship all on a convenient and simple website, shop-for-a-cause. com/montecarlo

For more information, visit ccfphx.org/ foreverfund.

Event attendees of the Crozier Gala Goes to Monte Carlo enjoyed casino-styled gaming, dancing to Mogollon and silent auction bidding. (Photo courtesy of Catholic Community Foundation)

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Grades K–12 POWER FROM PAGE 24 came the lifelong companion of Helen Keller. When Helen Keller received the Nobel Prize, she was asked who had the most significant impact on her life. Helen then said, ‘Annie Sullivan.’”

Then Annie said, “No, Helen. The woman who had the greatest influence on both our lives was a floor maid at the Tewksbury Institute.”

The whole story is at helenkeller. org.za. What the unknown maid did to change two women’s worlds and the world as a whole is truly inspiring.

Jesus engaged those overlooked and ignored people because He cared. In Matthew 25, Jesus was talking to God’s people. He said to them, “Enter you who are blessed and take what is in God’s Kingdom. Then Jesus explained why they could partake of this kingdom.

“I was hungry, and you feed me; I was thirsty, and you have me a drink; I was homeless, and you gave me a room; I was shivering, and you gave me clothes; I was sick, and you stopped to visit; I was in prison, and you came to me.

“The people asked Jesus, ‘When did we do those things to you?’ Jesus replied, ‘When you did one of these things to someone overlooked and ignored, that was me. You did it to me.’”

Perhaps you are a difference-maker and history-maker presently or going to be like the compassionate maid. My advice is to make brownies and get going because the hungry person you see and Jesus are hungry. Remember, a great place to find a helping hand is at the end of your arm.

Ed Delph is Phoenix native who lives in the North Valley. Since 1980, he has pastored three churches in the Valley. He is a noted author of 10 books, weekly columnist in several local and worldwide newspapers, teacher, business owner and speaker. He has been to or ministered in over 100 countries. He is president of a worldwide ministry, NationStrategy.

To learn more about Pastor Ed Delph, the Church-Community Connection and NationStrategy, email nationstrategy@cs.com, call 623-376-6757 or visit nationstrategy.com.

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