To understand what it means to be driven by mission, one need only look at the relentless passion Judy Toney has for community service. Judy is a member of Maranatha Church in Goldsboro, North Carolina, and she was born with the gift of service. As a young child with a difficult upbringing, Judy remembers her mother going beyond what seemed reasonable to provide for those who were “less fortunate.” Judy, at the time, did not understand why her mother gave food, clothes, and furniture to others when their own family had so many needs.
Judy is now just as committed to the mission as her mother. Judy gives beyond what many see as reasonable. She and her husband, Julius, an Air Force veteran, have sacrificed beyond their means to ensure those who are “less fortunate” have food, clothes, furniture, and unceasing encouragement in difficult times.
She has faced numerous challenges, but always finds a way to keep the mission alive for those she is born to serve. A recent challenge could have ended her service. Instead, it shone a light on her unwavering commitment. Her perseverance despite obstacles resulted in her being selected to receive the North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Achievement Award on April 17, 2023, a prestigious honor reserved for a select few.
She was acknowledged for continuing to serve the community despite misfortune. When required to leave a building she had served out of for years, she continued to serve the homeless and surrounding community out of tents on an empty lot. After several months, she secured another building. Even though the new building is not ready for occupancy, she continues to serve outside despite unfavorable conditions including rain and freezing temperatures. Every Monday and Wednesday she serves more than 300 hot meals and distributes clothes and food in one of the poorest regions in the city of Fayetteville, North Carolina.
She has also persisted in service through the diagnosis and treatment of stage 4 breast cancer. She has persisted through very little volunteer help, personal character attacks, and potentially dangerous circumstances. She does not break under the pressure. She persists because she is driven by her God-given mission.
Many of those she has helped now give back.
Lisa said, “Eight years ago, me and my children were homeless. Ms. Judy found me a place to live, gave me furniture, beds, clothes, and food.” Lisa is no longer homeless and now volunteers with Judy.
Vernon said, “Ms. Judy has done so much for me, I just don’t have words. I met her five years ago, and she helped me get off drugs.” (Judy said she went to a crack house to retrieve Vernon for his mother. Right now, Vernon is living with Judy and her husband, Julius). Vernon also volunteers at the center.
A veteran fell on hard times. Judy spent hours encouraging, feeding, clothing, sheltering, and trying to help him reset. That gentleman now owns a concrete business and provides services to help Judy restore her building.
A drug-addicted mother Judy was trying to help gave birth to a son who had seven different drugs in his body at birth. The hospital would not allow the mother to take the child. When asked for the next of kin, the mother named Judy. Judy and her husband, Julius, are now the adoptive parents of the 7-year-old who is thriving.
The stories are endless because Judy is driven by the mission. She senses the needs of people and responds without hesitation. It is certain she has “entertained angels unawares,” Hebrews 13:2.
South Atlantic | July 2023
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