They were lining up outside of First Baptist of Hampton this week for the church's Back-to-School Blast; it was a chance to get a free backpack loaded with school supplies. The key organizer is Vera Powell. After being introduced to her, we told her we received an email from fellow church member Judy Featherson, who read part of that email on the air.
"I am interested in someone being recognized for taking action in the community." Deacon Powell has been the leading force behind the backpack giveaway, a program the downtown Hampton church has been doing for two decades.
In addition to being a leading organizer of this backpack giveaway, Deacon Powell is also busy providing Thanksgiving Day meals and toys around Christmas to needy families.
Hannah Tremer was there with her three children getting backpacks and fought back tears talking about how they benefit from all of the church's community outreach programs.
"It means the world because for a single parent, trying to raise kids and work, it`s a hard world. And for someone to go out of their way like Miss Powell, she`s awesome and it means a lot," said an emotional Tremer.
For all of those reasons, we presented Deacon Powell with a People Taking Action award along with a $100 Visa gift card from our community partner Southern Bank. It was so unexpected, Deacon Powell was at a loss for words. "I don`t know what to say. Oh my gosh, thank you! God is good. It`s God. It ain't me. He just shows me what to do."
