Posts by Kingdom's Restoration
2019 Back to School Donation
Kingdom’s Restoration committed to helping a school in need for the 2019-2020 school year. Having already established a partnership with Niblack Elementary, our goal was to donate much needed supplies for the school. We received a list of supplies that included items like; staplers, dry erase board cleaner, expo markers and more. This list made our organization think about all public school educators that reach into their own pockets each year to pay for classroom supplies.
As reported by the “National Center of Education Statistics”, nearly all public school teachers spend an average of $480 a year on school supplies, which is $230 more than the $250 federal tax deduction made available to teachers. An article written in “Impact Your World” states 15 million children in the U.S. do not have money for school supplies for the 2019 school year. When teachers provide school supply lists for parents, at least one in five children will go to school without some or all of those supplies. This number is one too many in our opinion.
After many months of planning and organizing, Kingdom’s Restoration was able to donate countless items to Niblack Elementary. Our partnership with this school gives us the ability to continually support future generations that will one day lead our nation. As the old saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” That saying is an African proverb that means an entire community of people must interact with children for them to experience and grow in a safe, healthy and nurturing environment. This proverb is one that Kingdom’s Restoration believes beyond question.
Those educators that guide, teach, nurture and support future leaders everyday we thank you. We also give special thanks Ms. Latwala Dixon and Mrs. Jaleesa Hawkins at Niblack for their assistance in coordinating our efforts.
Why I Live a Life of Giving
As a young adult, Sonya Birtha recognized her calling to help others. Her journey began as an elementary school teacher, where she taught pre-k, first, and second grade. She would eventually become a School Director at Grace Heritage Christian Academy in Stone Mountain Georgia. After a twenty-year tenure in education, she began working at a local Food Pantry.
This position deepened her insight into God’s vision for her life. Her journey did not come without adversity. In 2005 she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, then diagnosed 5 years later with stage 1 colon cancer. Although these trials were difficult, she knew there was a purpose to her pain. God gave her a strength she never knew existed. A strength to fight and persevere through any affliction that life may bring. In the midst of it all God brought her into complete remission.
In 2009, Sonya established Sonya’s Store House, with a mission to assist individuals in need of food, clothes, counseling, and prayer. The storehouse receives support from local churches, nonprofits, and individuals that donate food, finances, and clothing. Having served over 150 families in the greater Atlanta area, most assistance is achieved through referrals and word of mouth.
Sonya’s goal is to positively impact the lives of every individual she encounters. Her resourcefulness is beneficial to many. If unable to meet a need, she will find an organization or program that can. Among other things, she has a desire to help women affected by domestic violence. She has plans to open a Transitional House for battered women in the near future. This is particularly important to her as most women accredit homelessness to domestic violence.
In addition to these efforts, Sonya volunteers her time to several causes in her community. She serves as a Home Health Aide for disabled vets and seniors. Likewise, she volunteers for (RFL) Refugee Family Literacy in Clarkson Georgia, where she teaches refugee women and children to speak English. In recent years, she’s served at VeloCity Atlanta, a fundraising event that benefits the #1 trauma center in downtown Atlanta, Grady Hospital. Not to mention, spending hours volunteering at local nursing homes. Sonya says, “ I’ve worked with children for many years and now God has allowed me to help disabled seniors.” Sonya’s calling has inevitably enabled her to serve the community in more ways than one. Her vision has been supported by many throughout her journey.
To acknowledge a few, Khristine Gilbert, Kay Howard, Dionne and David Boston, Lady Teresa Harris, Valerie Prosper and family, Tyra & MaShawn, her daughter Shonda Birtha and her parents Minnie Pearl & Jason Birtha. Her faith, tribulations, and perseverance have been the driving force in her mission to live a life of giving.
Christopher’s Story
Ministries Without Walls
Christopher Jackson has worked as a chef for over 22 years. His passion for cooking began while hosting dinner parties for friends and family, which quickly introduced him to the fascinating world of cuisine. The dedication to his gift afforded him the opportunity to open a prosperous catering business, CJ’s Cuisine. As an entrepreneur, Christopher found that giving back to his community was one of the most valuable reward. His inclination for feeding others would be the beginning of his mission in giving back to the community that gave so much to him.
An estimated 130,000 people in California are homeless, which around 2,500 of those people live in Skid Row, a well known area in downtown Los Angeles. February of 2016 would be the launch of Christopher’s very first initiative called “Dinner For The Homeless”.
He organized a Facebook fundraiser campaign encouraging followers to celebrate his birthday by partnering with him. After raising several hundred dollars, he was able to buy and prepare meals for the homeless. To his surprise, school aged children were amongst the crowds. He would later create the lunch and backpack campaign that would feed both children and parents, while donating backpacks filled with supplies.
Today, Christopher runs his campaign once per quarter to raise funds for his cause. He has recently branched out to areas such as the University of Southern California, where college student homeless rate is at an extreme high. He was able to feed over 250 people, most of which were students attending the University.
Christopher plans to continue his community outreach in Los Angeles. Many have asked him to extend his efforts to church functions and other business ventures, however, Christopher says his ministry is better served to reach those places without walls. For now, he is compelled to continue meeting the people in their own habitation as his services are needed there the most.
Volunteers and friends alike have played an indispensable role in Christopher’s ministry. To mention a few, LaShun Jackson for her food donations, Jackie Williams of Floral Vision for donating fresh flowers, Bryant Miller, Rebecca Neal, and DeTerrence Edwards. All have helped to make Ministries Without Walls mission a way of life.
International Pay It Forward Day
Blake Beattie founded International Pay It Forward Day in 2007. The inspiration came from the movie ‘Pay it Forward’ released in 2000. This film chronicled a young boy who launched a goodwill movement that caused a ripple effect of giving in the community. This International holiday has now inspired over 5 million acts of kindness worldwide.
Kingdom’s Restoration committed to observe this day by volunteering to those in need.
Our Georgia board members partnered with Sonya’s Store House in Stone Mountain, Georgia to assist the homeless in downtown Atlanta by delivering hygiene kits, food and water. This occasion allowed the opportunity to hear the story of those in need and offer words of encouragement and prayer.
Our Texas board members volunteered at Minnie’s Food Pantry in Plano, Texas by prepping fresh vegetables and meats to be donated to less fortunate families. The opportunity to volunteer at Minnie’s was a wonderful experience to learn and give back.
Special thanks to Sonya of Sonya’s Store House and Lynette & Erica from Minnie’s Food Pantry for their contributions and willingness to serve. Our hope is to inspire all in making ‘Pay It Forward’ a true lifestyle not just a one day event.
Kingdom’s Restoration Inc.
Niblack Elementary School (FSA) Testing
Lake City, Florida
Niblack Elementary School has been a part of Columbia County School District since 1954. The school was named in honor of Minnie Jones Niblack, a principal and county supervisor whose efforts were to build and improve local schools.
Board members of KRI have attended this historic school dating back to the early 1960’s. In an attempt to give back to the community that inspired our organization, we decided to take the initiative by visiting the school. This enabled us to determine the areas of assistance. We found that healthy snacks, a good night’s sleep and a balanced breakfast are all important factors in achieving better scores for The Florida Standard Assessments Testing. We were able to provide healthy snacks for over 100 students ranging from grades 3rd – 5th during their first week of testing.
These efforts were the launch of our “ Show Your Heart Initiative”. We would like to send a special thanks to Principal Nakitha Ivery and Ms. Latwala Dixon for coordinating with us to fulfill this mission. We look forward to the 2019 – 2020 school year.
Kingdom’s Restoration Inc.