KINGDOM OF HEAVEN..
When the world shut down in March of 2020, within a week of all the mandated closures, we had already secured a semi-truck load of fresh vegetables to distribute throughout the neighborhood. We had been granted the use of an old meat packing plant on the corner of 19th and Market Street. Shawn had contacted neighbors throughout the area to each come get a portion of the food out of the meat plant’s walk in coolers. It wasn’t just organizations that Shawn contacted but regular neighbors, one such neighbor was BJ. BJ owns BJ’s Kustom Auto mechanics shop on Bank St and 33rd. BJ’s girlfriend is Sandy, who we had worked with on numerous real estate deals in the neighborhood. Sandy had lived in the neighborhood her whole life; she had owned a floral shop on Portland Avenue for years before becoming a real estate agent. Shawn called Sandy to see if she knew some people that could become distribution points for the food. She suggested BJ’s shop and put Shawn in touch with him. BJ and his friends pulled up to the back entrance of the meat plant and loaded up pick-up trucks and trailers full of boxes of fresh produce. They took the food back to BJs shop, set out a tarp in front of the garages bays and started distributing food to their neighbors.
The food distribution point set up in front of BJ's Auto Mechanic Shop
Later that day Shawn and I stopped by to see how things were going. We were amazed to see a line down Bank street of neighbors lining up to get their portion of the food. Sandy and BJ and their friends were distributing food, ensuring that people only got what they needed so there was enough for everyone. Later that evening after all the food had been given out Shawn and I stopped by the auto shop. BJ and Sandy and their friends were celebrating. BJ walked up to the truck when we pulled up, tears in his eyes. He told Shawn he had never been able to help his community like he did today. No one had believed in him and his neighbors enough to give them the resources to be able to help. We stopped and hung out with them for a while, marveling at how their celebration was really like worship, they were celebrating loving people.
BJ, Sandy and their friends and family celebrating in front of BJ's shop after handing out food to the neighborhood.
A few weeks later BJ called Shawn. Somehow the word had gotten out that there was a community wide effort to distribute food during the pandemic. Part of the agreement we made with all the organizations and neighbors we gave food to, was they were not allowed to say where they got the food from, Love City wasn’t to be mentioned. Even still an article ended up in the courier journal saying an anonymous group had given out food to organizations to hand out to neighbors in the Portland neighborhood. BJ’s shop was listed as one of the locations that was distributing food. BJ told Shawn that he had received a letter in the mail from a professor at UofL. The professor was impressed with the food distribution that had taken place and had included a check to BJ to help him continue helping his neighbors. BJ didn’t know what to do with it, so he called Shawn. “Here,” he said, “this isn’t for me, you all will do much more with it.” And with that he signed the check over to Love City.
He and Shawn kept in touch over the months. We would take all Love City vehicles over to BJ’s shop for him to work on. About a month ago, Sandy called Shawn to ask for his help. BJ’s 40th birthday was at the end of July, and she wanted to throw a surprise birthday party for him. Could she use Porkland and the parking lot to have a classic car show and combined birthday party for BJ and her son who was turning 21? Of course, Shawn was happy to help, and he worked with Sandy to set the ruse in motion. KG who owns an auto body shop on 26th St not more than a block away from Mighty Oak Academy also helped by calling all of BJ’s friends and getting them to come bring their cars. Yesterday Shawn and I arrived right before BJ and Sandy, to a parking lot full of classic cars in front of Porkland and all of BJ and Sandy’s friends, most of whom we also knew from the neighborhood.
The classic car show for BJ's birthday in front of Porkland.
BJ was surprised when they pulled around the corner and saw all the classic cars and all his friends and family in the parking lot at Porkland. Shawn and I hung out at the party for a few hours, and as we were getting ready to leave, BJ came over to the table we were sitting at, pulled up a seat wanting to chat with Shawn. He proceeded to tell us all about his family, his mom, uncles, sisters. All about his uncle who had passed away from COVID last year, but he didn’t get a chance to go to the funeral and say his goodbye because he had COVID at the time. His uncle’s friends had brought his classic car to the party, working throughout the week to get it finished and drivable to be able to come to the party. He started to tear up talking about it. He thanked Shawn for letting them use Porkland for the party. “This is the perfect place for this party”, he said. “We could have had it anywhere, at the Galt House, anywhere, but here, we know we’re safe and our cars are safe. It’s peaceful and secure here.”
It was just such a beautiful picture of family and what the kingdom of heaven looks like. Friends, family, neighbors all coming together celebrating each other and loving one another. Happy Birthday BJ, thanks for letting us be a part of it and getting to see yet another aspect of the kingdom of heaven.
Sandy and BJ dancing at BJ's birthday party in Porkland.
This coming Sundaycome join us for a community back to school party! We will have musich, school supplies, and lots of fun!
CLASSROOM SCHOOL SUPPLY NEEDS...
We do need help with specific school supplies for our classrooms to get ready for school. If you are shopping for back to school items and can grab some extra items from the below list, it will help us finish outfitting our classrooms.
Each of the items below will be used in our classrooms from grades Pre-K - 7th grade.
Ruler
Dry Erase Marker Sets
Jumbo Pencils
Highlighters
Wide rule loose leaf paper
Graph composition notebook
Wide rule spiral notebook
Pencil Box
Items needed
Green 2 pocket folders
Yellow 2 pocket folders
Blue 2 pocket folders
Re 2 pocket folders
Primary School Composition notebook Picture space at top
Wide rule composition notebook
MIGHTY OAK IS HIRING!
We are finishing out our special area offerings and are looking for a part time music teacher. The position would be about 15 hours a week and would teach music to grades 3 - 7.
If you know anyone who would be a good fit, please send them our way, we are actively interviewing for this position. You can find the job posting on Indeed by searching Mighty Oak Academy.
If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.
Please consider partnering financially with Love City. We are looking for sponsors for students at Mighty Oak Academy as well as partners to help fund construction of our new preschool. Click the button below to donate today.