Fresh Starts

Income Outcome – Intro:

Hello, I’m Reed Galin. Welcome to this UMTV Web Brief.

A lot of people talk about supporting schools, but few have put their money where their mouths are to the extent that Eugene Smith has. Smith is not a wealthy man, but he’s already helped 20 young people go to college. It’s his own version of an investment fund.

Income Outcome – Story:

A toxic mix of drugs and fear once ruled this Indianapolis neighborhood.

Frank Sablan / Pastor, Broadway United Methodist Church: “Well, when I came in ’96, the pastor before me had had a gun put to his head.”

Broadway United Methodist Church was surrounded by trouble.

Eugene Smith / Scholarship Founder: “They were dealing drugs on every corner and shootings and people were getting killed in the neighborhood.”

To help keep the peace, the church hired Eugene Smith, who works full time for the sheriff’s department.

Eugene Smith: “I worked there for a week and they gave me a paycheck and I gave it back to them and told them I didn’t want the money.”

What Smith wanted was to help.

Eugene Smith: “I told the church to give the money to the community.”

For six years, Smith, who has a family of his own, has refused the $10,000 a year the church has offered.

Eugene Smith: “I’m no rich man. Matter of fact, I’m a poor man, but I couldn’t think of a better use than what the money’s being used for.”

His donated salary has already helped more than 20 college-bound students fulfill their dreams.

Brook Gilbert / Eugene Smith Scholarship Recipient: “With the scholarship, I was able to afford books, you know. I go to school each semester and not have to worry about book expenses.”

Raised on a farm in Mississippi, Eugene Smith is no stranger to hardship. He hopes his gesture will send a powerful message to kids who risk their lives for money.

Eugene Smith: “So they won’t be out there thinking that they have to get money by selling drugs and committing crimes and stuff like that. Because the most important thing in life is their life.”

Income Outcome – Tag:

Four members of the class of 2003 will receive Eugene Smith scholarships this year.

Broadway United Methodist Church designates a special collection every May to go toward the fund.

Winds of Change – Intro:

A record number of violent storms ravaged the nation in May, affecting thousands of people. In situations like this, victims often turn to their church for help, guidance and comfort. But in Pierce City, Mo., one of the families hit hardest by a recent tornado was the town’s United Methodist pastor’s. The Rev. Crystal Wicks lost her home, her business and her church in one day. But despite this life-changing event, her outlook remains optimistic, even knowing that at 72 years old, she has to start over again.

Winds of Change – Story:

Crystal Wicks / Pastor, First United Methodist Church: “This is Main Street, Pierce City. The tornado came right down this street. You can’t describe hardly the awful sound that it did make.”

Atop the First United Methodist Church sits a reminder of the power of nature … and faith.

Crystal Wicks: “It’s like a prayer being said, and it’s still being said for all that has happened here in the lives of people.”

The church sustained minor damage …

Crystal Wicks: “This church is way over a hundred years old.”

… but the pastor, Crystal Wicks, and her husband Jim lost their home and business to the storm.

Jim Wicks / Tornado Victim: “This is all part of the drum museum. It had a special place for each one of them. I just shrug it off and go on.”

Normally, the Wickses would’ve been in their second-floor apartment, relaxing after a day of church activities. But on that fateful day, they were downstairs when the tornado struck.

Crystal Wicks: “We lived in the apartment, which is all caved in. We’d have been killed, they tell us.”

Pastor Wicks believes she was spared that day for a reason, and she needs to get back as soon as she can to where she belongs – the pulpit.

Crystal Wicks: “We’ll have church next Sunday morning. And if you say, ‘Well, I was going fishing that day,’ you’ve still got time. Nine to 10 and you’re off on your way.”

She admits this experience has left her spirits twisted a bit; her town, torn into pieces. But her resolve is unbroken.

Winds of Change – Tag:

There were so many storms this spring that relief funds are critically low and many items, as well as volunteers, are needed. If you’d like to help, contact the United Methodist Committee on Relief at (800) 918-3100.