March 2021 - Mercer Savings Bank

This month’s recipient of the Mercer Savings Bank Giving Mission donation is Rustic Hope in Russia, Ohio, a non-profit organization that offers free support to mothers before, during, and after the delivery of their child or children.The organization was established by Connie McEldowney after an eye-opening trip in 2008 to pray on the sidewalk outside an abortion clinic in Dayton, Ohio.“I think I had always been pro-life,” Connie says, “but up until that point, it was always about the baby. When I was there, for the first time in my life, I really felt empathy for the moms. None of them looked like what I expected, you know. They all looked scared. They looked ashamed. I left there that day, praying. I don’t think these women really want to do this, but for whatever reason, they felt it was the best option.”Praying for Better OptionsConnie prayed that God would use her to offer these women a better option. She realized that pregnancy can be a very difficult time for women who do not have a social, financial, emotional, and health support system. She believed that providing loving support was imperative to healthy pregnancies.After praying for guidance, Connie told her husband, “Here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to start taking moms in who feel like they don’t want to have an abortion, but have no other options. They can come live with us. I’ll take them to doctor’s appointments. We’ll give them clothes. I’ll teach them parenting.”She says her husband laughed and agreed in part because he didn’t think it would come to anything. But soon after, Connie had come up with the name Rustic Hope, made brochures, and did a lot of praying. Since then, the family has had over 50 mothers live with them.Teaching and Supporting New Moms‘We’ve helped some of them learn parenting,” Connie says. “Some of them made adoption plans. And then what happened was people heard what we were doing and started donating. And before long, our garage got full. So we now have the Shed, which is a store people can donate to, but everything in it is free to single moms. We now have over 1,000 moms registered that come out there every month and get free diapers, car seats, furniture, all kinds of things.”When asked what she loves most about her work, Connie says it is seeing women realize that they really can be good parents to their children. “They’re always a little apprehensive,” she says, thinking that the organization will abandon them after their child is born. “But when they realize we are here for the duration, that changes…. without a support system, parenting is so hard. But I love to see these moms realize that there are people who care.”Cash donations like the one from Mercer Savings Bank go toward everyday necessities for these women and children, especially diapers, which every parent knows can be a huge expense. The organization distributes about 4,000 packs of diapers every month. Rustic Hope has no paid employees, and Connie relies on the efforts of over 50 volunteers to help her do the work she has been called to do.Christ-Centered and Family-Focused“It’s absolutely crazy how God is the center of all this,” Connie says. “I always say He’s a big showoff, if you let him… A mother called me once and said she appreciated everything we’ve done, but she’s working second shift and has to walk home five miles in the dark, and she really needed a car. And I was very professional. I said, well, I’ll see what I can do, honey. And I got off the phone and I looked at my daughter and I was like, who does she think I am? I couldn’t get you a car! And those were my exact words. I can’t get you a car. I had three teenagers at the time who were sharing an old car from grandma!”But the very next day, Connie got a call from a man who said he had a car to donate and wanted to know if she had a mom that could use it. “It was like God smacked me upside the head,” Connie says with a laugh. “And he said, I’ll tell you who you’re not, you’re not me. Get out of the way and let me do that. And that’s what happens when you let God show off, you know, just let him be in charge and he can do it. He can handle it … You just got to get out of the way and let him.”How to Support Rustic HopeThere are numerous ways to support Rustic Hope, including volunteering and direct donations. They are always in need of diapers of all sizes, wet wipes, new/gently used baby clothing, car seats, blankets, and toys as well as non-perishable food items. To learn more about how you can help, connect with the organization via their Facebook page or visit their website.

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