Generous Hearts

Wanting a new bicycle, six-year-old Nawal Victoria Roa had been saving her money and putting it in a piggy bank. Recently, an earthquake struck her city in Colombia killing hundreds of people, injuring thousands, and leaving thousands without their home and belongings. Seeing the suffering, Nawal decided she wanted to give the money she had saved to help others. She carried her piggy bank and gave it to a lady at the relief center. Nawal’s mother said, “I want my daughter to understand that someone else’s needs could be greater than her own wish.”

Dave Whitlow is a father, grandfather, and retired government manager. He spends every Tuesday and Thursday in the neonatal intensive care unit at VCU Children’s Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, volunteering as a baby cuddler and comforter for the tiny and vulnerable babies. Realizing the importance of human touch, Dave rocks, comforts, and speaks to the babies. Some days he holds as many as eight infants. Before returning a baby to the incubator, Dave softly says, “Grow strong. Grow smart. Grow kind.”

Recently, Mateo Nicasio celebrated his 8th birthday. He was excited about going to Walmart to spend the $23 he received at his party. While at the stoplight, Mateo saw a young mother selling candy for $3. Asking his mom if he could buy some candy, she asked why. He replied, “I want the woman to have enough money to buy milk for her baby.” He gave the young mother $3 for the candy and also gave her the additional $20. Strangers sent money to Mateo to replace what he had given. He decided that he wanted to use the money to help people who need it more than he does.

 

Michael Parziale, from New Jersey, founded Parziale’s U.S.A.R. Drone Team, for the purpose of rescuing lost pets. The team members use thermal-imaging drones which are capable of detecting body heat in the dark. Pets have been located hiding in the woods, in large open spaces, and other places that are difficult to search for on foot, especially at night. So far, the U.S.A.R. Drone Team has reunited over 120 animals with their owners.

 

With generous hearts, may we also find ways to make a difference.

 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12

In Remembrance

"Never forget" isn't a slogan.

It’s a responsibility – and

responsibilities die the moment

we stop showing up for them.

~ Will Hinson

September 11, 2001, there were about 140 babies and toddlers in the Pentagon’s Child Development Center, in Arlington County, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. Hanna Born, almost three-years-old, remembers dancing with ribbons and going down a hallway after American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. Forty Marines carried out the infants in baby beds, including Hanna's four-month-old sister Heather, and volunteers took the toddlers to safety. In 2019, Hanna graduated from the Air Force Academy. She is a captain and instructor pilot, in the TH-1H Huey with the 23rd Flying Training Squadron, and teaches Army helicopter pilots. Hearing the saying, “They say a person dies twice - first when they cease to breathe, and again later when their name is mentioned for the final time.” Hanna decided she wanted to do something to make sure that second day did not come. On September 11, 2025, she began running a mile for each person who lost their life in the terrorist attack. Averaging 8 miles a day, Hanna calls out the person’s name and shares their story, during the mile she runs for them. She is on target to complete the 2,977th mile and name on September 11, 2026, 25 years after she was carried out of the Pentagon’s Child Development Center to a safe location. 

September, 2001, five Texas A&M students organized a plan, in less than 10 days, to honor and remember those who had lost their life during the terrorist attacks on September 11. They came up with a design and had over 70,000 red, white, and blue “Standing for America” t-shirts printed. The plan was for those on the top deck at Kyle Field to wear red shirts, those with seats on the second deck to wear white shirts, and the lower deck to wear blue shirts. The Oklahoma State fans participated as well. During halftime, The Fighting Texas Aggie Band formed “USA” on the field and played “God Bless America.” The proceeds from the sale of the t-shirts, $180,000, was given to the New York fire and police relief funds.

  

Our son, Brad, carrying the

General Moore Flag

 

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Saturday, September 12, 2026, Kyle Field will once again be a red white, and blue “Standing for America” game, as the Texas A&M Aggies play the Arizona State Sun Devils. This year will focus on remembering and honoring the 250th Anniversary of the United States and the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. A special patriotic ATM logo has been painted across center field, from the 44 to 44-yard lines.

 

There were 2,977 drones that rose out of New York Harbor, one for every person that was killed in the terrorist attacks on 9/11. They depicted the twin towers at full size. 

 

May we, too, do our part in remembering, honoring, respecting, and being grateful for our country, and showing it in our words, actions, and deeds.  

 

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1

Taking Action

 

When Joy Ryan was 85, she told her grandson Brad that she regretted never seeing a mountain in person. Brad decided to take care of that and made plans to take his grandmother camping in the Great Smoky Mountains. Once there, Joy admired the mountains and decided she also wanted to climb them! Over the next six years, they traveled over 50,000 miles and visited all 63 U.S. national parks. They camped out in tents, climbed mountains, kayaked and even went white-water rafting in Alaska when Joy was 91. At 93, Joy visited the National Park of American Samoa. Brad claims his grandmother gave him “a new perspective on life.”

While watching the news, in Napa, California, 9-year-old Ryan Kyote saw a girl’s lunch taken from her because her meal plan was out of money. After questioning his mom, Kylie Kirkpatrick called the school district to inquire of their policy. Ryan also wanted to know how much the 3rd graders in his school owed for their lunch accounts. The total was $74.50. Going to his room, Ryan brought the money he had been saving for sports gear and gave it to his mother. Together they went to West Park Elementary School so Ryan could pay off the debts for his peers.

 

Anthony Cymerys is known as ‘Joe the Barber’ in Hartford, Connecticut. In 1988, Anthony began volunteering to give haircuts at the homeless shelter. Now, on Wednesdays, the 82-year-old retired barber takes a folding chair and clippers, powered by a car battery, and sets up shop in Bushnell Park. His clients are men and women who cannot afford a haircut. Joe the Barber gives away haircuts and human connection. One client shared, “It was about dignity, being seen, and knowing someone cared enough to spend time with them. Anthony’s corner of the park became a place of respect and compassion, where everyone was treated as human first.”

 

Jerry Martin, Jr. is a bus driver for the Copperas Cove School District. On his route, he noticed that one group of children had to wait in an area with high grass. After taking the students to school, Jerry went home, loaded up his lawnmower, and cut the grass. Choosing to help, Mr. Martin made his community a safer and better cared for place.

 

May we, too, be willing to show up and give of our time, talents, and money.

 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12