Fireside Fund helps Sumter woman recover from family financial abuse

Written by Kevin Howell
sumter united ministries

I spent most of my vacation watching documentaries about World War II. Historian after historian has commented on the underlying theme that motivated aggressive violence: the simple belief that one is superior to others due to ethnic or cultural factors.

“It seems that deep down in the human heart there is a temptation to act with hatred towards people who are different from ourselves,” the professor commented.

As we begin the new year, one of our interviews with the Ministry of Crisis and Relief provides yet another example of this evil. An elderly woman living alone, who had apparently suffered a stroke, asked for help with her electricity bill. Her colleague commented that she looked “defeated.” Unfortunately, abuse took over her home life.

Before her husband died several years ago, he used abusive language and sometimes threatened her with a gun. Her daughter continued to do the same, calling her names, threatening to harm her, and even threatening to set her house on fire. I was worried that the people who swore to love you could become so controlling and hateful.

This same girl is siphoning income from her bank account by stealing from her, forging checks, and signing up for fraudulent accounts. What she’s going through is a terrifying ordeal, but she’s taken new steps to ensure the privacy of her account and obtained a protective order for her safety.

My heart aches for her! I was thankful that God has kept a record of all our tears.

The account fraud left her in arrears with Duke Energy Progress, and in just a few days she would be unable to heat her home. We immediately conducted an in-depth interview. We talked about family dynamics, setting boundaries, and holding people accountable. We referred her to other agencies that might be able to help her. We called Duke Energy to negotiate her impossible balance into a manageable amount so they could provide direct financial assistance to prevent her from being disconnected.

Thanks to a generous donation to the Fireside Fund on behalf of Sumter United Ministries, she will continue to heat up for many days to come. Sometimes the situation is very emotionally heavy and requires an outpouring of love. Thank you for making the beautiful story of “Beauty from Ashes” possible!

Kevin Howell is the Director of Crisis Relief Ministries at Sumter United Ministries.

New donations as of January 2: Renoir Family Christmas in Loving Memories of Walter Renoir and Leila Renoir, Raymond and Jean Cooke, $600. Juanita Labon, in memory of Bobby Labon, $100. Sandra Goza, $100. Gail Medley in memory of Porter Medley Jr., $100. Sandra Noonan, $100. James T. Bradshaw, $400. James E. Jones, $4,500. Joy Sunday School Class, $20. Eve P. Stegner, $20 in honor of Rev. Michael Poulos. Roger I. Williams, $200. $100 in honor of Dean Ackerman, Dr. Johnny Hilton and Mrs. Becky Lee. Francis Connelly Cecil, $50. Concord Presbyterian Woman, $170. St. Ann St. Jude Catholic Church Adult Education Group, $775. Mount Vernon Coffee Club, $1,550. Crusaders Sunday School Class, Dalzell Baptist Church, $50. Discovery Sunday School class at First Presbyterian Church in honor of Charles and Glenda Denney, $100.