High Point, NC -- Tina Harp never expected to need help from The Salvation Army. But, she swallowed her pride and asked for assistance to pay her electric bill. What she received was so much more. Now, Tina is ringing bells with her children to afford single mothers the same blessing.
Harp walked through the doors of The Salvation Army in High Point ten years ago at this time of year. The receptionist asked her why she needed help because she didn't look like a typical client. Harp explained that she was in the middle of a divorce and needed help to keep the lights on for her and her three young children.
When Harp arrived home later that day she received more than she ever expected. There was a note on her door from the woman who helped her asking if it would be okay to sponsor her family for Christmas. Harp said her heart was broken that she couldn't afford to buy gifts and she called back in tears thanking the woman who offered to help.
Harp recalled, "They brought the kids over ten presents each and even gave me some too. They were gifts I never could have afforded. My daughter had wanted a cotton candy machine but didn't even put it on her wish list. On Christmas morning, she got a cotton candy machine too!" Harp said it was just one of many times God came through for her and that His hand was The Salvation Army.
This year, Harp and her 3 children have signed up for multiple shifts throughout the season to ring bells outside of stores in High Point, including Christmas Eve. Her children are enthusiastic about ringing the bell and wishing shoppers a Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas and thanking them for donating. Harp said to The Salvation Army, "Thank you for letting us ring bells and give back."