Buy the Book:
Amazon
Author Interview
Q: Tell me about noticing pennies on
the ground. Give examples of when and where, would you pick them up?
A: I
began to notice pennies left on the ground and I noticed how people would often
step over them. I remember when I would try to pick them up, my mom would say,
“let me get it, it is dirty and full of germs.” I also noticed how my
grandparents would separate the pennies from their silver coins. They often
took the silver coins to the bank to exchange them for dollars, but never the
pennies. I never understood why stores would have containers at the register
with pennies to either leave for others or to use if you needed one. Why didn’t
people want pennies? One cent was a lot to me! One day I remember a friend of
my mom’s cleaning out trash from her car cup holder and she threw her pennies
away. “They aren’t worth much” is what she said. I remember feeling confused
and even angry because I would have loved to have those pennies. In second
grade, I began asking my friends to collect pennies for me. Classmates,
teachers, and even my principal began to bring me baggies, jars, and containers
full of pennies and I soon became known as the “penny girl.”
Q: What are some of your active
projects that serve the homeless?
A: We created an Ambassadors Program and they are the ones who
roll pennies and help me create Graced Packs and run events. We put many things
in the Graced Packs such as water, snacks, toiletries, etc. I love this program
as it gives everyone an opportunity to serve no matter their comfort
zone—whether that’s writing notes and preparing bags or going out on the
streets with me to connect with our homeless friends. One of my fourth-grade
ambassadors came to me excited with his calling to serve in a different way.
He’s starting Blankets over Houston where he is collecting blankets to
give to people and organizations who could really benefit from them. One good
deed leads to another. I love that!
Q: What makes your non-profit unique?
A: Something I love about Graced Ministry that I believe is
different from other non-profits is that we are intentional with the
relationships we build. Life change doesn’t take place without trust, and trust
takes time. The people who work with Graced Ministry are focused on making
others feel heard, loved, and cared for and that is our goal at the end of the
day.
Q: What kind of responses to you get
from the homeless people you serve?
A: . I’ll never forget
the day when a 46-year-old man named Dave shared his story with me. Tears were streaming down his face as he told
me he really wanted to live a safer life off the streets. This was the first time one of my Graced
Packs led to a deep conversation.
Thankfully, one of our partner organizations was able to provide housing
help for him.
Meet the Author:
Enter the Giveaway:
Koedi Nealy's PENNIES FROM HEAVEN Book Tour Giveaway
This looks so cute! I think my babies would love this!
ReplyDelete