The Salt & Light SERVE Spotlight Rewind: Warming Homeless Hearts This Holiday Season With Phillip’s Wish
The holiday season is upon us.
A time for reflection, a time for thanks, and a time for sharing what we have, no matter how small, with others.
Community outreach is a topic very near and dear to my heart. My passion for service is weaved throughout the pages of my blog and featured in my podcast, The Salt & Light SERVE Spotlight.
My first guest on this series was Ms. Cyndi Bunch of Phillip’s Wish.
Warming Homeless Hearts
Born out of hardship and hope, Phillip’s Wish began over twenty years ago as the dream of Cyndi’s then seven-year-old son, Phillip Junior. Phillip Senior, Phillip’s father, struggled with mental illness and homelessness. A struggle that introduced their family to a whole new world. A world that broke their hearts.
After one seemingly unfruitful (and bitterly cold) evening searching with his mom for his father on the streets of Fort Worth, the duo were awestruck and humbled by how many people they saw battling homelessness. As Ms. Cyndi tucked her little boy into his warm bed later that night, Little Phillip wondered aloud if his father, who was somewhere out there among the many, was warm. He then wondered if all of the other people he had encountered were warm.
Ms. Cyndi and Phillip Junior decided to collect blankets. Lots of them. Hundreds, maybe thousands of them! Their goal was to give one blanket to every homeless person they found.
In the first year, 200 blankets were collected. By year four, over 20,000 blankets were collected along with hats, scarves, gloves, sleeping bags, toiletries, and thousands of toys! Phillip’s Wish then expanded its efforts to include a food pantry.
But beyond the essentials, Ms. Cyndi provides hope. Her smile reaches her eyes. And with those eyes, you truly feel seen. She embodies unconditional love, a love she tirelessly gives freely to all who come in contact with her. Humble in spirit, she attributes all the credit for her organization’s success to the Lord.
How To Support Phillip’s Wish
There are opportunities to serve at Phillip’s Wish throughout the year with ongoing canned food and supply drives, as well as other service and fundraising opportunities.
Phillip’s Wish is always in need of your support. Donate nonperishable items, socks, coats, blankets, sleeping bags, tents, and so much more. For a list of needs, visit its website www.phillipswish.com
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Blessings,
Kimberly
IOH Mom
This website is not a professional counseling website and nothing here should be construed as professional counseling advice. Although Kimberly Bennett, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor, she is not your counselor, and no counselor-client relationship is established unless she has signed an agreement with you. All information provided through this website is for informational and educational purposes only.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure statement. Thanks for visiting!
