Keep on loving one
another as brothers and sisters. Do
not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have
shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:1-2)
Dear Friends,
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Volunteer crew |
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At the YMCA |
Not too long ago, my wife and I experienced the
very harsh financial realities faced by so many Americans today; we were in an
extremely difficult financial bind as a result of my being out of work. This
reality was exposed to all of Plainfield in a flyer that was placed on car
windows and in peoples’ mail boxes last year in an attempt to embarrass me and
shame my family. That attempt failed, and we chose to lay bare the challenges
that we were facing by letting the world know the truth of our financial
condition. I wrote back then, “I am not immune to financial hardships; I am
like all of the other people whose financial lives have been turned upside down
due to their unemployment status and other special situations.”
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LAC Director Flor Gonzalez |
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With the Latin American Coalition |
As I suspected, I was not alone; there were
literally thousands of Plainfielders in my same plight, many of whom called me
or dropped me a line to let me know that we were brothers and sisters in
distress, caught in a financial tide that threatened to destroy our way of
life. Some people came up to me and said “Adrian, I know what you are feeling;
I am where you are.”
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Roni gives marching orders at the YMCA |
That was roughly 18 months ago. Since that time, I have
found employment, and my family and I are on the road to recovery. The road
still has some ruts and bumps, but as I wrote then, “I know, beyond any doubt,
that the Creator will smile on me and I will repay every debt that I owe.”
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Cedarbrook Apts with Reather and Bev |
My family and I were extremely fortunate during
Hurricane Sandy. Although we were without power for several days, we were
spared the serious damage that has affected so many of the residents of our
city. Especially hard-hit were many of our senior citizens, who had to suffer
through the cold and darkness, empty out refrigerators which were filled with
spoiled food, and whose only hot meals were those delivered by the Salvation
Army.
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With Kim of "Kym's Kitchen" |
I would like to highlight one individual, Kim, in whose yearly "Kym's Kitchen Annual Facebook Thanksgiving Drive" we were happy to be able to participate. Kim collects food donations from all parts of our city, and with her own team, organizes and delivers dozens of Thanksgiving food baskets (with vegetables, gravy, yams, boxed pasta, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn bread mix, cake mix, frosting,
beverages, rice, canned milk, butter, eggs, meats, including chicken, turkey, ham, and more) to those who otherwise would go without. She does this for no other reason than that it is the right thing to do. It is hard work, but Kim's humble devotion to the less fortunate exemplifies the Plainfield spirit!
So, friends, the season of giving has just begun, and it is
with extreme humility that we offer our small gift; we are thankful that we
were able to share what God has blessed us with.
Have a wonderful and blessed holiday.
Adrian and Amelia
4 comments:
I am thankful that you are willing to share your talent and expertise as an elected official with all of us, despite unfair political attacks. Your faith in the better side of people is a lesson worth emulating.
Bernice
Mr. Mapp, you and your wife Amelia are gracious and inspiring to me and my family. I have had the pleasure of meeting you and your wife on many occasions especially during your summer gathering at your home. Thank you for sharing your story and giving us all hope. God Bless You and I look forward to assisting your campaign.
I echo the comments of Bernice and Emmett, Adrian. As a part of the volunteer crew, it was nice to be out in the streets and seeing folks' smiling faces after all the struggles of the past few weeks. I know that you and your family will have a very beautiful day of giving thanks.
Best,
Rebecca
All I have to say Adrian, is that you are a better person than I considering how vile you have been treated by the Democratic Party. You have maintained dignity and exhibited the true spirit of "turn the other cheek." My saving grace is that I know you, I learn from you, and I try to be half as gracious as you to my fellow human beings. Many more blessings to you and your family.
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