The Sandhills/Moore Coalition for Human Care has been blessed this holiday season with an outpouring of community support.

"This backing has enabled the organization to extend care to more clients in need than ever before," says Caroline Eddy, executive director.

One of the Coalition's most loyal supporters is St. Joseph of the Pines, whose food drives and monetary collections help feed the hungry, pay for utility bills, and enable Coalition clients to see a doctor and then purchase necessary medications.

Merilee Ventura, owner and operator of ByWay Farms Hunter-Jumper establishment in Carthage, heard of the good works of the Coalition through a St. Joseph of the Pines associate and gave Eddy $5,000 for the cause.

Ventura presented her donation to Eddy Thursday, Dec. 2, at the Health Center of St. Joseph of the Pines, in the presence of Ken Cormier, St. Joseph president and CEO, who is also a member of the board of directors for the Coalition.

Ventura explains she had an epiphany when she labored over how to select which nonprofit she would like to see receive the money -- the amount she built upon for more than a year.

"I believe God intervened, and at that moment there was no question who would have extra help this Christmas," she says.

Eddy accepted the $5,000 enthusiastically and communicated the deep need in the Moore County community. She promised it would be used for those whose circumstances were very dire and would most likely enable lights and heat to stay on in homes and facilitate medical care to many stricken with illness.