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By Gary D. Myers
ATLANTA -- When Amy Campbell’s 14th birthday rolled around in September, the Russellville, Ark., the teen wanted to do something special for Hurricane Katrina victims.
So Amy invited all her friends to a party, but instead of gifts, she asked them to bring a monetary donation to help families from New Orleans Seminary, where her dad Craig serves as a trustee.
Amy knew that her dad’s State Farm insurance agency would match any of the friends’ gifts. The invitations went out and her friends responded by bringing $700 worth of coins and small bills. With the agency’s matching gift, the party raised $1,400 for NOBTS families.
“My daughter is meant for missions, she is very sensitive to the Spirit,” Campbell said. “This gave her the opportunity to do something directly [for Katrina victims].”
Seminary President Chuck Kelley was touched by the teen’s concern for New Orleans Seminary. He said gifts like Amy’s are an encouragement during difficult circumstances.
“The most compelling thing about Hurricane Katrina, to me is not the stories of the devastation, it is the stories of the sacrifices made by people responding to the needs,” Kelley said.
Amy, a 5’11” basketball player, attends RussellvilleJunior High School. The Campbells are members of FirstBaptistChurch in Russellville.
“I could not have done this without my wonderful friends,” Amy said. “They gave me so much more money than expected. It was truly an answer to prayer.”
“The turnout that we had and the amount of money in the end were all God's doing and we can't give the glory to anyone but Him, thank You Jesus,” she continued.
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