Monday, March 26, 2012

A Letter to Oprah


Oprah Winfrey
Oprah’s Angel Network
P.O. Box 96600
Chicago, IL 60693
Friday, March 23, 2012
Dear Ms Winfrey,
I am a freelance photographer who travels the Southern backroads, meets people, and documents poverty. I blog about some of my encounters and many of these people ask me to help them. My very small ministry is taking blankets to the less fortunate. A guy in one of my photos froze to death a few years ago, and I feel no one in America should go to bed cold.
During December last year, after doing some research, I made my destination Africa Town, Mobile, Alabama. Being an Alabama girl, I was surprised I had never heard of it. Little did I know where this adventure would lead and I found myself inside one of the oldest homes in the area with 85 year old Lottie Watts. I sat at the foot of her bed and heard her story. She had a personal birthday card from President Obama but when I asked her what I could do, she asked that I contact you to help her. Her tiny home is in deep disrepair and she loves to entertain guests from her bed. Hospitality has been her life for both homeless and needy people. I wish I had the money to help her, but at least I have a voice to make a plea for her.
Rather than ramble on further, please let me know if you would be interested in contacting her and I will give you her info. She is precious and I DO mean precious. I know this is a cry in the dark but she is waiting. 
Sincerely yours,
Vicki Wilson Hunt

Sunday, March 18, 2012

A Blanket for Doris's Husband

Our getaway farm is on a dirt road deep in the heart of Dixie. It's a log cabin tucked away between two bamboo forests. Its comforts are endless....a front porch with 2 swings, starry nights, a 3 acre front yard paradise for wildflowers (and weeds), a birdhouse where a hawk perches in hopes of prey, dogs romping and chasing rabbits and squirrels, peace and calm. It sounds great, but to get to it one must go through poverty stricken areas, and just around the corner people have great needs.

I save clothes from our own closets as well as take good used clothing from other sources to give to one of my favorite black families in our area. On one occasion all 5 of us ladies were up on their front porch as I gave clothes right out of my trunk and each lady claimed her "pile". I visited last week with some gentlemen's suits since I know how their community dresses 'up' for church. These items were especially for her husband. As they all came out to greet me, their faces were grief stricken since they had just learned their husband/father had lung cancer...No chemo was offered. It was an awkward moment. I did not linger but let them have their special time with him.

It's spring weather in Dixie, with not many needs for blankets right now, but I gave one anyway that day. Nights are still cool and a new fresh navy blue blanket seemed to be my best gift to the husband.  Thank you again to my girlfriends for providing the blankets.