October - Lake Union Conference

YOUTH in Action
A Heart for Others
b y D i a n e T h u r b e r
Twelve-year-old Breanna Wood is musically talented. She began violin lessons when she was six years old and
piano when she was ten. She has since found ways to use her talent to bless others. Breanna has played violin
with her brother for students attending college preview days at Andrews University. She and her brother
have also played for funerals and church services. Breanna plays her instruments once a month at Riveridge Manor in
Niles, Michigan. And most recently, Breanna played a duet with her violin teacher at a wedding.
Breanna also seems to have a heart to
bless others. In addition to sharing her
God-given musical talents, she donates
her time to serve within her community.
Not long ago, Breanna arrived with her
grandmother, Darlene Wood, at Polly’s
Place, a shelter for battered women and
their children, located in Niles. There,
Breanna washed windows and cleaned
toys for about three hours. She says she
went to Polly’s Place because she “thought
it would be fun to help out.”
At Polly’s Place, Breanna met some of
the women and children seeking shelter
from domestic abuse. She recalls, “I was
thinking inside: I’m so happy that I can help people who are having
difficult times.”
This summer when Breanna was asked to perform with
her violin teacher at the wedding, she was happy to do so.
Afterward, Breanna received $100 for her part in the wedding.
Since she performed on Sabbath, Breanna decided not
to keep the money for herself. First, Breanna contributed
ten percent for tithe at her church, and then she decided to
donate the remaining $90 to a charitable organization.
Breanna learned about the recent vandalism at Polly’s
Place and thought about the women and children she met
there earlier. She wanted to do something to help, so Breanna
talked to her grandmother about donating her aftertithe
dollars to the shelter. In addition, she inquired about
her remaining spending money, which
amounted to $2.52.
One Sabbath in July Peggy Cain, chairperson
of Polly’s Place Board of Directors,
received an envelope from Breanna. Peggy
said, “On the back of the envelope [Breanna]
wrote a Bible verse and the amount,
$92.52.” Inside was Breanna’s donation—
her money from the wedding performance
plus her discretionary spending money.
Peggy was impressed by Breanna’s
thoughtful service at the shelter and her
subsequent unselfish gift. She thought
Breanna’s actions were in stark contrast to
the four young people who vandalized the
shelter in July, which resulted in the shelter’s closure until
the damage was repaired. Peggy said, “My response to Breanna
was ‘tears.’ At first I thought that she had taken up a
collection and was donating it to us. It reminded me of the
lady who gave her very last penny and was the most blessed
of all.”
Breanna’s donation will be added to other donations
given by children at area VBS programs this summer and
used to purchase a new roof for Polly’s Place.
Diane Thurber is the assistant communication director of the Lake Union
Conference.
For additional information about Polly’s Place Niles, call the shelter at 269-
687-9822, or Peggy Cain at 269-583-6523. Donations may be mailed to:
Polly’s Place Niles, P.O. Box 1055, Niles MI 49120
| Oc t o b e r 2 0 0 8 • L a k e U n i o n H e r a l d T h e L a k e U n i o n He r a l d i s a v a i l a b l e o n l i n e .