Nearby church contributes gift cards

by Randy Leonard

    McShane Way resident Sara Smith has not received a cent – red or otherwise – from her insurance agency, Baltimore City or Baltimore County to compensate her for her car, destroyed five months ago when a 6-foot water main ruptured under Broening Highway, inundating houses, cars and streets in Logan Village.
   

The lack of monetary response from anyone else made the gesture of a gift card she received last month even more special, she said last week.
    The $25 card, sent from nearby Bethlehem African Methodist Episcopal Church, was “extremely appreciated,” said Smith, who contacted The Eagle to make sure the church was recognized for its efforts. Her neighbors shared the sentiment, she said.
     The church has existed for about eight years but moved to its location at 6616 Graceland Ave. in April, according to pastor  Marietta Ramsey.
    After disaster struck Sept. 18, her congregation felt called to action, Ramsey said last week.
    “We needed to do something as a church other than to pray for them,” she said.
    Members collected donations and purchased about two dozen $25 gift cards, mainly to Walmart and Home Depot, Ramsey said. The cards were sent to those believed to be most affected on McShane Way. She has received several cards expressing victims’ thanks in return.
    The Dundalk Renaissance Corp. also has been collecting donations and is working with the county to target the most needy recipients, administrative assistant Mary Wisch-husen said last week. The organization expects to distribute the funds to  residents in the next few weeks, she said.