Amarah's Corner: Kids Like Me toy, food, clothing drive underway

Hi! My name is Amarah. Kids are important to me, and they’re important to Jesus, too.

Jesus said in Matthew 25:40 (KJV), “Whatever you’ve done unto the least of these (kids), you’ve done it unto me.”

“Kids like me” are kids and adults of all ages whose parents are, or were, drug addicts, and alcoholics; kids who have suffered, or who are suffering, abuse and neglect on multiple levels; and kids who are victims of bullying.

Hey, kids like me! I can hardly believe it’s that time of year, again! What time is that? It’s time for our annual Kids Like Me Toy/Food/Warm Clothing Drive! We are so grateful to ACE HARDWARE because they agreed for Kids Like Me donations to be dropped off at ACE HARDWARE, 157 Craft Drive, Alamosa, Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Donations begin the day after Thanksgiving and end, Friday, 12/22/17. This year the Christmas Gift give-away for Kids Like Me will be Saturday, 12/23/17, at the Church of Christ 408 Victoria Avenue, Alamosa. Last year, River of Life Church helped us by allowing donations to be dropped off at the church and they allowed us to have the Christmas Gift give-away there as well. Thank You, Pastor Patrick!

I am also excited to share with you that Amarah’s Hope For Kids Like Me is now an official 501©3! Thank You, Jesus! Among other things, the 501©3 can accept donations which means a donor’s contributions are tax-deductible. Now, I can really work to help kids like me!

And, last Wednesday evening (11/15/17), I was honored to meet with The Alamosa City Council on behalf of Kids Like Me. My friend, Sheriff Robert Jackson (he is so awesome!) introduced me to the Honorable Mayor Josef Lucero, to Councilman Michael Stefano, Councilman Charles Griego, Councilwoman Kristina Daniel, Councilman/Mayor Pro Tem, Ty Coleman, Councilwoman Liz Hensley, Councilman Jan Vigil, and Heather Brooks, city manager. My friends, Dr. Barbara Troy, Ruth Heide, Tia Begay and Lacrecia Smith were there too and my awesome, former teacher, Mr. Leland Romero was there. It was so great seeing him! And I was honored to talk with Mr. Tom Hays (I hope we talk again soon)!

Thank you, Honorable Mayor Lucero, and Honorable Councilwomen and Honorable Councilmen for allowing me to meet with you and talk with you about kids like me here in the San Luis Valley. I will keep you posted on my work for kids like me! 

A precious friend, Davina DeLuna sent a note to me, “Hi Amarah, here’s a poem I wrote and wanted to share for kids like me. Love you and miss you! Love, Davina”

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall —

Addiction Don’t Beat Them All

When I look into the mirror I see a survivor

I don’t think about anything but living.

When I looked into the mirror during my illness

I wasn’t that sick person staring back at me.

I didn’t recognize myself.

My body had put up a strong fight but

I didn’t want my soul to escape.

People responded to the way I looked.

I hated the pity I saw in their eyes as much as the fear.

The body is back to its original state but

The soul has taken on the wonderful layers of a survivor.

I am grateful for my disease of addiction

For now I celebrate, making plans,

dreaming the hope that

goes with having a future.

I celebrate life!

Thank You, Davina, we miss you, too! If anyone would like to write to Davina, I’m sure she would appreciate hearing from you! Her address is:

Davina DeLuna

Admit # 0322090

Criminal Justice Center

2739 E. Las Vegas Street

Colorado Springs, CO  80906

Thank you for reading my column. Write to me at Amarah’s “Kids Like Me” P.O. Box 354, Alamosa, CO 81101. If you know a kid like me, or parent, who is an addict/alcoholic, please tell him/her about “Amarah’s Corner, Kids Like Me” in the Valley Courier. Tell them to contact me, or you can contact me on their behalf. If you know a kid like me, or parent, who doesn’t have a Bible, but wants one, please, contact me. I’ll make sure he/she gets a Bible, “…and all the earth may know there is a God…” (1 Samuel 17:46, KJV).

Amarah’s “Kids Like Me” offers non-denominational World Bible School (WBS) Bible Correspondence Courses (free/postage paid) in English/Spanish to kids like me (ages 8-12), their parents, and even if you’re not a kid like me! Teens/adults take the WBS Master Series Courses so if you would like the WBS Courses, send your name/age/address and I’ll get you started ASAP! I hope to hear from you soon!

My goal is to help kids like me, and I want to help their parents, too. Until next time, remember, Jesus Loves You, and JESUS IS LORD!