Oldroyd honored for work with Son Light Center
Published 9:36 pm Friday, November 12, 2010
At 25 years of age, Betty Sue Oldroyd began running a bus ministry for underprivileged children.
Every week, she would bring in 70-75 children hungry and hurting and would feed them a meal, which was sometimes their only meal that day.
Oldroyd became a therapeutic foster parent for children of abuse. She had experienced abuse herself as a child and was able to relate to children who were currently going through abuse.
The Chilton County Sheriff’s Office will honor Betty Sue Oldroyd on Saturday for her work with the Son Light Center. She is shown with Officer Beth Hucks.
After two years of parenting foster children, Oldroyd decided to open an antiques shop.
Though she did not know it at the time, owning and operating a business would give her the experience she would need in order to run her own full-time ministry.
While running her antiques shop, she would have individuals come in to sell their items in order to buy food for their families.
After seeing that this was such a great need, Oldroyd was compelled to open a food bank.
Every week, families are able to come in and fill their shopping carts full of food and receive a hot meal as well.
The food bank is located in Jemison, but it started door-to-door.
Oldroyd would load up her car with groceries and go to neighborhoods looking for families in need.
Oldroyd felt in her heart to open a women’s shelter in Jemison one day after meeting a woman who needed a place to stay. What started with one has grown into many families and individuals, women, children and men being sheltered and loved through the Son Light Center.
Today, Son Light Center houses up to 20 families/individuals and feeds more than 70 to 89 families a week.
The Chilton County Sheriff’s Department and the YMCA of Chilton County have teamed up to host a yard sale on Nov. 13 across from the Son Light Center in Jemison.
All those who would like to donate to the yard sale can bring their items to the YMCA on Ollie Avenue.
Volunteers are also needed to work at the yard sale and volunteer services to the Son Light Center.
The Center also needs household items, such as laundry detergent and toiletry items. These can be dropped off at the Son Light Center at any time. Non-perishable food items are also a need for the center.
All proceeds from the yard sale will be donated to the Son Light Center.
The sheriff’s office will also be honoring Oldroyd on Nov. 13, for her dedication and service to Chilton County and the Son Light Center.
