On a very cold day in March 2006, I was sitting inside the downtown transfer station waiting for a city bus to take me home.  I was tired and chilled to the bone.  As I sat there, I noticed a policeman handing out packets of cookies and candy to all the folks.  When he got to me, I eagerly accepted my “treasure”.  As I munched on a miniature chocolate bar, I watched the policeman mingle with the people.  He looked so happy.  He shook everyone’s hands.  I saw the kind policeman stoop down and hug a child.  That gesture really touched me.  He looked like an angel.  Right then and there, I asked God if I could do the same thing only help hurting children.  I believe He told me to start “The Love Packet Ministry”.  When I got home, I was floating on a cloud wanting to share my “idea” with my husband, Garner.  He was thrilled with the prospect of such a venture.  Later that night, I called my friend, Laura Cook, asking her if she would help me.  Both Laura and Garner were excited and jumped unto the bandwagon.  I had two workers!  That cold day in March, “The Love Packet Ministry” was “born”.

That was three years ago and over 3,000 love packets later!  Right now, we are located inside an awesome church, First Christian Church here in Amarillo, Texas.  There we are able to both store items and also assemble the love packets.  Sometimes youth groups from various churches come and we have a ball making the packets together.  I love to see children helping us. I call it, “kids..helping..kids”.

Each love packet contains: a soft stuffed animal, a juice box, an individual package of either cookies or cheese crackers, a Bible card (the most important item in the packet), a folder filled with coloring pages and a small pack of crayons.  When donated, we include a story book and fleece blanket.  The Valero gasoline company in Amarillo supply us with love packets about three times a year and they always include a soft fleece blanket.  These are so special for the homeless shelters, foster care agencies and children’s clinics.  Sometimes the children who have to live in shelters arrive there with only the clothes on their backs.  So it is so special to receive the fleece blankets from Valero. Thank you, Valero.

Places we take the love packets include: the Randall County Sheriff’s Office, two hospitals, the Ronald Mcdonald House, CASA, two foster care agencies, a low income children’s clinic, the Red Cross, three church outreaches in Amarillo, and many more places.  Last year, we were “honored” to make 200 extra love packets for the street children in the Philippines.  My stepdaughter, Nora Kirkland and her awesome family helped us make the packets.  They even bought fleece blankets for all the love packets for these precious children. This summer we made about 190 love packets for the kids of the Amarillo deployed soldiers.  Right now, I am wanting to start making some love packets for the children of the local prisoners.

We couldn’t do this if not for the donations of the giving people of the Texas panhandle.  Thank you, Folks! Many people have worked tirelessly with us making our “deadlines” for the various projects.

My personal “vision” is that other people “catch the fire” and start “chapters” of the Love Packets, helping their own hurting children…..one packet….at a time”.

Much love,

Mary Beth Waters, Laura Cook & Nora Kirkland

For more information about ‘The Love Packet Ministry’ please contact Mary Beth Waters at 806-356-8720 or Laura Cook  at 806-622-9476