Dear editor,

Regarding Miss Emma’s Ice Cream Crankin’ event Sunday:

We raised over $3,100 in two hours!

Over 600 people showed up as God showed out with the sunshine!!

There were some 130 crankers and volunteers making it happen.

An awesome 20 flavors of ice cream were available to try.

Participant booth Ice Cream Crankin’ winners were Troup County Sheriff’s Department, New Community Prime Timers, AAA Treasures, Queen Kelly Burt, Western Heights Baptist Church, Pop’s Party Place, West Georgia Auburn Club who took home first, second and third in best fruit, best chocolate, most interesting, best overall and judges’ choice by Jimmy Matthews with flavors like Mexican cayanne chocolate, banana split, raspberry rapture, nutella, strawberry, coconut fluff, s’mores, football, jalapeno vanilla and more.

Winner of the Little Miss and Little Mister contest were so adorable. There were three age groups awarded in boys and girls. Sweet Jazylyn, Tera Lynn, Hae’lyy and Braelin, Hudson, Conner and the baby were so fantiastic … they tried to smile and name their favorite ice creams. For a couple of babies grandma’s were answering “rocky road” from the audience.

The talent show was a “Nothin’ but Grace” with Toby Young’s Kickin Karate Kids while DJ Frap of Joy FM praised the Lord with us.

We had to go shop for cups and spoons, but thankfully Moe’s Southwest Grill gave us 2,500 to start with along with Chick-Fil-A on Commerce Avenue and Arby’s, who started us off with napkins and spoons. It was all possible thanks to Mike Patton Auto Family as title sponsor and Oakside Baptist Church’s sponsorship.

The New Community Prime Timers brought the force with five flavors and sponsorship. We were so thankful Faith Baptist, Davidson Baptist, Cedarcrest Baptist, American Home Shield, Ken Bearden Fishing, LaGrange Housing Authority, Gardner Newman Middle School, W. Ga. Auburn Club and our new project, Emma’s Attic II, joined in this festive annual event.

We are so blessed that Mayor Jim Thornton always comes with a great ice cream like his chocolate ganache and endorses our desire to take care of the least of these among us and honor God with our work. Our homeless neighbors say, “Thank You.”

Why does it matter? The Emmaus Shelter had cared for homeless women and their children for six years. Recently they became managers of the Weather Shelter. They have also accepted the challenge of providing a men’s refuge and are working on housing for homeless families and the disabled.

They found 35 places for homeless to sleep on Saturday night before the event. Maybe you didn’t see them, but least 15 of Emmaus’ homeless friends were serving and working and participating throughout the event.

We don’t always recognize them, but they are among us. They are willing to work, serve and love “their neighbors.”

During the last Point In Time Count we counted 1,200 precariously housed, transitional, sheltered and unsheltered homeless in and around LaGrange.

Praise the Lord for a town and county in a state that allows us to praise the Lord on the town square and will step up to take care of the least of these among us. We are so proud to serve alongside the best in this community.

May your day be a blessing to you and others!

Jessica David

Director, Emmaus Shelter