Glenn and Kim Finch and their daughter, Faith Ann (11), give faithfully to Jill's House throughout the year. "We have seen first-hand how our giving changes lives and keeps families together," said Kim. "Giving to others is a lesson we instill in Faith Ann by showing her how Jill's House families are directly blessed by our God-given donations of time, talents and treasure."
 

It all began when Kim and Glenn had their first official date at McLean Bible Church teaching first grade Kid's Quest, where Kim was already a teacher, and where they would end up teaching together for 13 years. They knew from the start they wanted a large family they could love the way they loved the precious children they taught. "The Lord blessed us with one child," said Glenn. "Faith Ann was a miracle. She's precious to us and a gift from the Lord.

Faith Ann's Girl Scout Troop delivered approved in-kind donations to Jill's House. Thank you, girls, for your generosity!

"Kim and I both love children, and the Lord spoke clearly to Kim that we were supposed to be a founding sponsor at Jill's House. When she shared that with me, I knew it was right. Given my decades of background in music (Glenn has played trumpet in the McLean Bible Church Orchestra for many years), we chose to touch children's lives through the construction of the Jill's House music room. That initial vision for the music room has turned into years of giving to Jill's House to further the vision the Lord gave my wife." 

In addition to their involvement in the start-up phase of Jill's House, throughout the years the Finch family has found many creative ways to support the families Jill's House serves. For Christmas, birthdays and other special occasions, the Finches sponsor a Jill's House child for a night in honor of their friends and family. Faith Ann has lemonade stands with her neighborhood friends to raise funds for Jill's House, and her Girl Scout Troop chose Jill's House for their Bronze Award Project, which required the girls to go out into the community and introduce Jill's House by collecting needed items from Jill's House's in-kind donation list. Read more.

"I grew up in Ayden, North Carolina, with my grandmother," shared Sharnikya Howard, a Jill's House volunteer. "I didn't always have everything I wanted growing up, but I was surrounded by love and an understanding that it is better to give than to receive."

Sharnikya and Tommy supported each other on the low ropes course at Jill's House Blue Ridge.

Sharnikya works with Kelli Lozada Reese, whose daughter Anna attends Jill's House. Kelly shared with Sharnikya the need for volunteer support at Jill's House, and Sharnikya began serving last summer at Jill's House Blue Ridge. "What an amazing experience!" shared Sharnikya. "The first night I served, I had dinner with all the children and was then paired with my 'buddy,' Tommy. What a blessing he was to me! He taught me sign language, and I taught him to dance! We read books, sat outside by the camp fire, played games, sang songs and learned about the love of Jesus."

Sharnikya says she signed up to serve the children and families because it's an opportunity to serve as we are called by God in order to impact the lives of such amazing people. Surprisingly, Sharnikya says serving at Jill's House impacted her life in ways she never imagined. "I thought I would be the one providing all the help and support," said Sharnikya, "but it was quite the opposite! Read more.