A Hand Up, Not a Handout
As a child growing up in Beaver Dam, Kentucky, Alma Randolph Crump always dreaded the first day of school.
“Within the first few days of each new school year, it was always very clear to me that I was one of the ‘have nots,’” Randolph Crump reflected. “I remember wishing we could delay the first day of school by a few weeks so I wouldn’t have to feel embarrassed.”
Having been thrust into poverty upon the death of her father, Randolph Crump, she and her three brothers were then raised by a single mother. “My family was struggling, and what we needed more than anything was a hand up, not a handout.”
As an adult, she made it her life’s mission to provide just that for families in need.
In 1993, the Alma Randolph Charitable Foundation (ARCF) was formed with the vision of helping disadvantaged children receive back-to-school clothing; since its inception, the ARCF has clothed over 17,523 children.
The Foundation remains a nonprofit, governed by a board of directors and is volunteer-driven.
“God provides every year and enables us to meet the needs of the families we serve,” said Randolph Crump. “When God inspired me to look beyond the Alma Randolph Charitable Foundation and begin a new venture, I had no idea what to do and I gave into fear of failure. I was reminded that delayed obedience is disobedience, and I took a step out in faith. I’ve learned time and time again that the sweetest place to be is having blind faith in God and just trusting Him to lead you.”
In 2016, the Foundation’s Hands Up to Succeed Program (HUTS) was formed, and since that time has upgraded the housing of 82 local families. Qualifying families are provided with new furnishings, washers and dryers, beds and clothing.
“We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to make their house a home,” said Randolph Crump. “In August, we completed HUTS home #80 and two emergency HUTS homes. Since December 2016, we have improved the living conditions of 82 disadvantaged families. Had this program existed when I was a child, my family would have qualified.”
Randolph Crump is tremendously grateful for the community partners who make HUTS possible.
“American Freight provides new discounted furniture for our families,” she said. “First Baptist Church provides new beds for our children, along with brand new bedding and Bibles. If the families need washers and dryers, Murphy Appliance sells them at a discounted price.”
When a family receives a full HUTS project, Limos by Knight arrives at their home to transport them to the Holiday Inn Riverfront. The Holiday Inn hosts the family for two nights while a team of volunteers works to lovingly transform their home.
For some families, it’s the first time they have stayed at a hotel. During their stay, they are treated to a pool party and pizza donated by Peezo’s, and are greeted by two former HUTS recipients, Diana and Raven. Diana and Raven serve as ambassadors of the program, and share their experiences with the families.
“Families are nominated by local social service agencies, churches, schools or businesses,” noted Randolph Crump. “We do not accept self-referrals.”
Recipients are required to be employed or medically or physically disabled; or, pursuing educational opportunities. Dependent children must reside in the home. HUTS families are invited to shop at the foundation’s back-to-school shopping event annually until the child graduates from high school. The annual shopping event is sponsored by the Marilyn & William Young Foundation, and has been adequately funded for approximately 29 years.
Net proceeds from the Foundation’s sole fundraiser— the Black and White gala—along with donations received throughout the year, comprise HUTS funding.
“This year’s gala is scheduled for Saturday October 19 at the Owensboro Convention Center,” said Randolph Crump. “The presenting sponsor will be the Truist Foundation; the event will be co-sponsored by Bill and Jo Barron and First Southern National Bank.”
Randolph Crump said she enjoys her role in the foundation’s sponsorship campaign, which involves reaching out to area businesses and looking into potential grant opportunities.
“It gives me the opportunity to share our story,” Randolph Crump reflected.
Alma Randolph Crump is a woman of faith and passion, and had some words of wisdom for those facing struggles in life. “You can take your bowl of lemons and make lemonade, or you can spend your life lamenting those early life struggles,” said Randolph Crump. “I chose to use the pain and embarrassment I endured as a child to be the driving force behind this foundation, to meet the needs of the families we serve.”
With perseverance and faith, countless families will continue to benefit from this amazing work of charity. OL
