Something

A couple of days ago, I found myself feeling helpless, like so many others in our community and around the world. Stunned, after hearing of a tragic plane crash that took the lives of eight wonderful human beings. Again, like so many others, not able to sleep, long after the Super Bowl had concluded. I was desperately clinging to all that I love so deeply, while longing to do something for the families that have lost the ones they cherish the most. I got up and slipped into one of my boys beds and snuggled up as close as I could. And I continued to pray.

Monday morning, I decided to sit on my couch at church, with my computer in my lap, and attempt to write a simple blog. No strategy, or any kind of motive. Just the hope that by logging on to my website, my fingers would work to translate what my heart was feeling and begin to dance on my keyboard.

This was my something.

I’ve been a youth pastor for 14 years and have spent over 10 of those years ministering to young people in Carteret County and the surrounding areas (4 of which I lived Down East in Smyrna, NC). Every single life on that plane matters, but I found myself pulled that day to focus on the 4 young men who were lost in the plane crash. I did my best to share my heart, as well as encouragement and scripture, with the parents, family and our entire community that is truly unlike any there has ever been- Down East and Carteret County.

If you know, you know.

This kind of loss is unlike any other. It is completely different than hurricanes and fires, floods and tornados. There are no houses to gut or walls to rebuild. People aren’t needed to show up in mass to put tarps on roofs. And although many tears have been and will be shed… stockpiles of commodities like toilet paper, chain saws and generators are not the greatest need.

Prayer is. Jesus is. Being with loved ones is. Community. Arms to embrace and shoulders to cry on. People to share sweet memories and their constant presence and refusal to let these families face this alone.

No one should ever have to go through the kind of pain these families and this community is going through.

At the end of my post, I decided to share my Venmo Account, with permission of one of the family members, with the promise that every donation would go directly to the family. I believed in my heart that many, all across North Carolina and beyond, would want to do something for these families. Whether they knew them or not.

Money is no warm embrace. It doesn’t seem very spiritual. And as much as we glorify it in our lives, for whatever reason, it never feels like it’s enough, especially in times like this.

But it’s something.

Tuesday morning, I received a call from Adrian Wood, a woman who I had never met before but quickly realized who she was. She had gotten word of my blog and that I was trying to raise money for the families. She has a crazy large following on social media and decided to partner to promote my Venmo account as well as her own accounts for people to give as well. My friend Monica Willis Smith decided to do the same through her local business and word quickly begin to spread as post after post was shared.

I think people felt like they finally had a way to do something.

Through my original blog post and on my FB page, I worked as hard as I could along the day to keep the total given through Venmo updated for complete transparency. I also encouraged people that if they didn’t feel comfortable to donate through me, to find another way that they did feel comfortable.

But just to do something.

I have spent these last couple of days, absolutely blown away from the generosity of those who have given. Money doesn’t have the superpower strength to take away the pain that these families are experiencing, but it can help alleviate some of the other worries that life throws their way, so they can focus on what matters most right now. Which honestly, will be a life long battle in so many ways.

I have witnessed so much God and so much good in so many people these last few days. There have been countless donations ranging in size between $5.00 - $4,000.00. People volunteering to make Bows, design T-Shirts and Bracelets to sale to help raise money. Local businesses setting up collection locations and some even donating entire days worth of their sales just to attempt to help those they love so much. Donations made for raffles, a poem written, a video made, and even rival county schools along with others from all across NC, wearing East Carteret HS Mariner colors today and camouflage tomorrow to show support for these families. So many efforts to do something.

Last night, there was a powerful candlelight service in Atlantic spearheaded by a young woman named Kendra, who along with her family, learned first hand, just a few years ago, how deeply impactful and real the love of this community is, as they dealt with the unexpected loss of her sister, who I had the wonderful privilege to coach on the East Carteret Softball Team. My guess is that somewhere between 350-500 people showed up last night our of love for these families. It was one of the most beautiful sights of love and support I have ever witnessed.

PC: Pam Griffin

Down East and Carteret County is such a special place, and I have always considered myself blessed for having the opportunity to live and pastor among these people.

Thank you to all of you who are doing SOMETHING. At the end of the day, that’s what makes the difference. Everyone’s hurt matters. And even though no matter what we do never feels like its enough… it’s something.

AND THAT’S ENOUGH.

Last night, I received word of an official account being set up called The Core Sound Family Fund.

If you click on that button, it will take you directly to their donation page where you can begin to enter in your information to make a donation for these families. I have had a front row seat of SO much GOOD as my watch and phone have been dinging and vibrating constantly, alerting me of each new donation given. I know there is so much more on the way.

My account on Venmo- @rylanjones will always be available for anyone who would like to make a donation for these families. Simply write in the memo- Down East Boys.

But I also strongly encourage everyone seeking to give financially, now that this account has been established, to give through The Core Sound Family Fund. I do not control it and have no part in it, but trust that the people who are, will make the absolute best and timely financial decisions, to help these boy’s families. We are better together, and this is just one more example of that and a community responding to care for their own.

I’m just so stinking proud to be a small part of this place we call home. People’s hearts all around the world, are just crushed for these families and those that are hurting, but Jesus has been and will be here all along the way. I have seen him so many times through YOU GUYS. And as I type, tears fall from my eyes, as I’m constantly overwhelmed at just how good people can be. We will be making a large transfer in a few days for these families, but I want to give time for a few checks to come in that have been promised first. When we make that transfer, every donation and their names will be given to the families, because I just think they outta know.

Names that represent moms whose arms long to wrap around these boys moms and family and friends but can’t. Folks who call Down East their second home and vacation there when able. Co-workers of families affected. Friends of friends who knew one of the passengers. People who wanted to give because they themselves have experienced a similar great loss of losing a child unexpectedly. Folks from near and far. Strangers that now feel a deep sense of compassion and connection and want to do something.

I never set out for any recognition. I just had a heart to do something.

And to give others from all around an opportunity to do the same.

Thank you for doing something. This blog post today is about each and every one of you that has decided to do something. From the bottom of my heart and from our community… Thank You.

I will continue to make updates on what is being donated through my Venmo account. Adrian is keeping me posted with her totals as well and when we get ready to make the transfer we will update you on what was given altogether.

As of now, what has been donated through mine and Monica’s Venmo’s, Adrian’s accounts, as well as a few checks that we have received… TOTAL = $36,150.00

Wow. Thank you so much.

Jonathan Kole McInnis, Noah Lee Styron, Michael Daily Shepherd, Jacob Nolan Taylor, Stephanie Ann Fulcher, Douglas Hunter Parks, Ernest “Teen” Durwood Rawls, Jeffrey Worthington Rawls

Please continue to pray for these families and friends of these individuals. Also, the first responders who have been working so hard in recovery efforts for these families to have closure. It has been extremely hard from them and they have all been amazing.

Please continue to do whatever something is on your heart. Because, whether it feels like it or not, SOMETHING is always ENOUGH. And sometimes, your something, leads to others having a chance to do something too. God bless.

#prayfordowneast #carteretstrong #bettertogether #something