A 76 year tradition continues
Nov. 8—RUSHVILLE — A Rush County tradition that dates back 76 years continues as an effort to collect for the Grundy Mountain Mission School in Grundy, Virginia, is again underway locally.
According to Erika Peggs, who is helping promote this year's collection campaign, the tradition of driving more than six hours (366 miles) to MMS to deliver assorted goods and funds dates back to 1947. That's when Loren Holt, the minister at Milroy Christian Church, Earl Frank, Dale Gates and Delbert Fancher, a local farmer, started what has become an annual event.
Years later, Delbert's son, Marion Liggett, organized many local farmers who would take trucks of grain to help feed the school's dairy cows.
Jim Kent, who owned the Kent shoe store in downtown Rushville for many years, also helped continue the tradition. He would provide a pair of shoes for every child at MMS. Three generations of the Kent family later, the tradition continues. Now, Jerry Kent and his daughter Angel (Kent) Keal, collect items from a "needs list" put together by GMMS each year. Many local churches, families and businesses help fulfill this list.
While at MMS, much of the time is spent with the staff and students. Residents are provided with popcorn, snow cones, cotton candy, cider, cookies, ice cream sundaes, milkshakes, a balloon launch and a big dance party.
The local group is currently spearheaded by Jerry and Susan Kent; Jimmy, Angel and Sarah Keal; John, Erika, Ava and Nate Peggs; Link Fraley; and Rick and Connie Emsweller.
Mountain Mission School was founded in 1921 and provides a Christ-centered and love-filled home, church and school for children in need. That need can be financial, a need for a protective environment because of abuse or neglect, a need for a stable home environment, a need due to the death of a parent, or need for educational opportunity.
The entire effort at MMS is to help children until they can get back with their families. If that isn't possible, then MMS provides opportunities so the child can enjoy childhood and be prepared for a purposeful life as a Christian citizen.
MMS services approximately 140 children from more than 60 countries. The school receives no government funding and runs solely on donations.
At present, MMS is more in need of financial support than material goods in order to continue providing a home and services to the children there.
Anyone willing to make a donation can mail a check made out to MMS to Moutain Mission School, 1760 Edgewater Drive, Grundy, VA 24614.
You can learn more about MMS at mmskids.org.
