From the desk of Wally Dawkins, Athletic Director:

“Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means we must care for orphans and widows in their trouble, and refuse to let the world corrupt us”.  James 1:27

In about a week or so, this big guy, dressed in a gaudy red suit, sporting a white beard and riding a magic sleigh, will probably find a way to squeeze down your chimney, and deliver a dually size pickup load of gifts to you and your kids.

Not only is this event highly anticipated…It’s expected!

Maybe even before Christmas, the granite countertops really need to be replaced with marble counter tops, or the paint job that you had done three years ago suddenly became the wrong color.

Possibly, all those leaves in your yard needed to be bagged and raked, so you called Leaf Masters, and they cleaned up the entire two acres AND took down the Christmas lights they installed about a month ago from your roof, windows, and shrubs.

Last but not least, it was discovered the day after Christmas that the orange game shoes Junior had been wearing were not the right color orange game shoes, so it was off to Academy to buy another pair of orange game shoes.

These types of things happen with most of us on a daily basis and we never think twice about the expenditure.  We are a blessed people.

We all pretty much buy what we want, spend what we want, and we have the things done that we want done.

But what if we couldn’t? And what about those who can’t?

A few weeks ago in my Advisory Group, which is comprised of ten Brook Hill 7^th Grade Boys, we discussed James 1:27….the verse at the beginning of this article.  After our group talked about what the scripture meant, the boys decided that they wanted to practice “Pure Religion”.

We knew what it was, but how do we do practice it?

Out of that discussion with our Advisory Group has sprung up what we will simply call “The James 1:27 Project”.

Accompanying this article, is a picture of who will be the original Board of Directors of this non-profit group.  The Board is comprised of Caleb Gaskin, Connor Carson, Clay Kelly, Joshua Baker, Jackson Conser, Zakhar Zapolskyy, Landry Graves, Braden Wheat, Boston Durrett and Zachary Reed (not pictured).

“The James 1:27 Project” will begin to devote itself to finding children, orphans, and widows who need help.

Maybe they need food for Christmas.  Maybe there are no presents coming from Santa this year.  Maybe there is a widow who needs groceries or chores done.  The James 1:27 Project, under the direction of the original Board of Trustees, will now actively seek out those kids…those widows who are in need.

These young men will now begin the process of practicing pure religion.

The James 1:27 Project is in its infinite stages and its only just beginning.

Starting with just over $500, these boys will begin next week to reach out to those in need.

Lives will be changed.  Not just the lives of those receiving the help.  But also the lives of these young men who are practicing “Pure Religion”.

Stay tuned, as others get involved, and our work spreads.

And that’s another reason to be “ALL ORANGE…All The Time”!