Kim Wilson
Saturday will be a busy time for Kim Wilson and all the other people who attend Church of Christ in Sallisaw.
Saturday will be a busy time for Kim Wilson and all the other people who attend Church of Christ in Sallisaw.
Wilson is one of the key organizers of the annual giveaway which will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. at the at the rear end of the church located at 1104 E. Choctaw. The giveaway has been an ongoing event since it was first held four years ago, Wilson said. “I don’t do this alone,” Wilson said. “The entire church is involved in the giveaway. We all work together to gather clothing which come in all sizes, furniture, household items, toys, books and just about anything you can think of to give away to people in the community. We accept donations from the community too, so it’s not just the church members who contribute.” Wilson said the giveaway has grown so much that last year when she arrived at the church, there were about 80 people who had lined up early.
The idea came to Wilson after her aunt’s church in Florida held a similar event following a catastrophic event.
“I wondered if this was something we could also do at our church. Then another girl and I approached the church about it. They were in support of it and it’s been ongoing ever since,” she said.
Once the date is set for the giveaway, the people in the church get busy gathering items. The date is usually set after school begins in the fall because people are busy right after school starts and just before the cold weather begins, Wilson said.
“We have people who sort through the stuff and some in charge of clean up. There are also volunteers who pick up things from some of the members or anyone from the community wanting to donate because there are a few elderly people who are physically incapable of bringing their heavier things to the church,” she said.
Once the people who have come for the giveaway are given sacks to fill with what they want, they are allowed to return after everyone has come through to choose from any items which are left over.
“If a family has three children they will be provided with enough bags to include the children. Each family is also allowed one piece of furniture,” Wilson said. Some of the furniture may include couches, TVs, tables and lots of lamps, luggage and numerous other items to be distributed.
Wilson said she does not hold any offices in the church but serves on the giveaway committee.
In addition to her involvement in the church, Wilson works as a guidance counselor for Carl Albert State College (CASC) in Sallisaw.
“I worked for People Inc. for nearly 12 years and I worked with kids with disabilities. I feel like I’ve made a circle in coming back to work for the college where I earned my associates after graduating from high school,” she said.
After obtaining her associates from CASC, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Human and Family Science with a minor in Sociology from NSU in Tahlequah. She also received her masters degree from Mid-America in Oklahoma City.
Wilson and her husband, Kenneth, are natives of Sequoyah County. The couple has been married 10 years and have two daughters. The family enjoys doing anything outdoors, she said.
“Our favorite thing to do is go to the beach. I would go to the beach any day but we try to make a trip every year, sometimes more than once a year, to Mari-mar, Fla., to go to the beach. We love it!” she said.
“I think the best thing about living in Sequoyah County is my family who includes my grandmother, parents, sister, nieces and nephews, and my family of course,” she said. “We all attend Church of Christ, along with my grandmother, parents and many friends there. I grew up in the church and I’m thankful we all attend church together,” she said. Wilson said she and her husband also teach elementary age children on Wednesday nights.
“I couldn’t do anything without God. We’re very close to our church. My father, John Capps, serves as the deacon and it’s just great being there with family,” Wilson said.
“I enjoy helping people and I’m thankful to be in a church which serves the community as they do. We have ladies who quilt and I’m hoping next summer to send my daughters there to learn how to quilt. We just love it there,” she said.
Just Folks is Your TIMES way of honoring the regular people of Sequoyah County, recognizing their unique talents, personalities, jobs, abilities, etc. Your TIMES appreciates the cooperation of each Just Folks and the public’s nominations for this feature. If you know of someone you think might be a good story, contact Amie or Lynn at 918-775-4433.
