Be a Christmas Angel
Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us remember that Christmas is not found in a store, or a gift under a tree. The spirit of Christmas is the love and joy in our hearts, and sharing our blessings with others during this most holy holiday is the best way to honor His birth.
There are many ministries and caring organizations in Darlington County to help others this Christmas; here are just a few:
Darlington County Free Medical Clinic
The Free Medical Clinic of Darlington County is an interdenominational Christian ministry that provides free medical care, medications, and pastoral support to Darlington County residents who are ineligible for Medicaid, who are without the financial resources to afford such care, and/or who have no medical insurance or are underinsured.
There are two locations: 203 Grove St., Darlington, SC 29532, and 500 W. Carolina Ave. in Hartsville. Donations may be mailed to the Darlington address, or on their website with their PayPal account. www.freemedicalclinicdc.org, 843-398-0060.
Darlington County Habitat for Humanity
Seeking to put God’s love into action, Darlington County Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. Donations to their ReStores help raise funds to build these homes, located at 1106 S. Main Street in Darlington, phone: 843-944-0314; and 120 Washington St. in Hartsville, open Monday thru Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. Call 843-383-8517 to arrange a donation pickup in Darlington County. Donations may be mailed to: Darlington County Habitat for Humanity P.O. Box 1983 120 W. Washington Hartsville, SC 29551-1983 Tel: 843-383-8500.
Carolina Kids, LLC and The Kids Closet of Darlington County
Carolina Kids is an all volunteer organization that serves economically disadvantaged children in the Darlington County School District by providing food, clothing and school supplies. The mission: to enhance the lives of the needy children in the area by providing them with their basic necessities and opportunities they would normally not receive. Programs include: The Kids Closet, Hunger Busters (weekend food bag program) Backpack Program, and Everyone Should Go – monetary assistance for field trips.
Volunteers from the county work under the same umbrella to diligently to provide needy children with clothing and basic needs. They work together to support each ministry, and have been successful in bringing awareness to the community that it “takes a village to raise a child”.
The Kids Closet in Darlington collects donations of clean, gently used, good quality and “kid-approved” clothing for students of all ages. The children are able to “shop” with vouchers provided by the guidance departments at their schools. The volunteers purchase new socks, underwear and pajamas for those that need them. Arrangements to make donations of new or gently worn clothing appropriate for students K – 12th grade, monetary and/or gift cards may be arranged by contacting Kids Closet at: 843-858-8038
Monetary donations may be sent to: Kids Closet 72 Public Square, Darlington, SC 29532
At the Carolina Kids Hartsville location, volunteers meet each week to provide weekend food supplies for all children of Darlington County School District with their Hunger Busters Program. Donations of peanut butter, packaged foods, etc. are always in need, but call first to make sure. Contact Information: Andrea Pulling, Director 843-639-7239 carolinakids@roadrunner.com. Monetary donations may be sent to: Carolina Kids LLC, P.O. Box 28, Hartsville, SC 29551
The Lord Cares
The Lord Cares ministry has been providing assistance to those in need in the Darlington area- including Darlington, Lamar and Society Hill- for over 25 years. Once a need has been established, The Lord Cares assists people with food, electricity bills, and medical prescriptions and occasionally doctor bills. To make a donation, make checks payable to The Lord Cares, and mail to: The Lord Cares Ministry, P. O. Box 1457, Darlington, SC 29540. Their phone number is: 843-395-1001. Donations may also be made during office hours Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 12 noon at their location on 201 Grove St. in Darlington.
All contributions to The Lord Cares are tax-exempt.
Hartsville Interfaith Ministries (HIM)
Volunteers from the area churches currently provide financial support to the organization, which operates a food bank and provides emergency assistance to families and individuals in need from Hartsville and Lydia. Donations may be mailed to: HIM 210 Swift Creek Rd, Hartsville, SC 29550 843- 857-9003, or made during office hours Tuesday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – noon. Donations of non-perishable foods may be brought during office hours, too.
Hartsville Soup Kitchen Mission
Volunteer churches serve a hearty hot, nutritious lunch Monday through Friday. To make a donation, make checks payable to Hartsville Soup Kitchen Mission c/o Wesley United Methodist Church, 145 E College Avenue, Hartsville, SC, 29550.
