It all started with a Google search. April Ross wanted to know how she and her church’s youth group could lend a hand in the lives of foster children.
Now she and her husband, Ryan, are making a difference at both Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries (CMCM) and at their church, Sisk Memorial Baptist Church in Fort Mill, S.C.
April and Ryan became Maxwell Imagineers, a person who helps children and families pursue their dreams and imagine a brighter future.
In addition to becoming Maxwell Imagineers, April and Ryan give their time each month at a Service Day on campus.
“We both have big hearts for mission work, and we knew Connie Maxwell was placed on our hearts for a reason,” April says.
Since then, they have recruited their friends to participate. Getting a group together started by word-of-mouth. Now April reaches out by email and Facebook, inviting others to get involved by physically serving or by donating supplies. Their church has donated two trailers of clothes to the Connie Maxwell children.
They soon found others were eager to help but couldn’t make the trip to the CMCM campus. So April and Ryan asked the question, “How do we help the local foster families in our area?”
After meeting with a team at CMCM to talk about the needs in their community, they decided to start a ministry in their church, Lean on We, based on 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” Lean on We is a group of volunteers that offer support for foster families registered with Connie Maxwell Children’s Home and living in the Fort Mill area.
Through this ministry, they offer respite care and deliver care packages to families receiving new foster child placements. The care packages differ based on the child’s age but usually include a Bible, blanket, shampoos, etc.
They also deliver homemade meals, gift cards and clothing items, allowing foster families to acclimate and meet the child’s needs. Friends and family are invited to get involved by providing new clothing items like socks, pajamas and underwear.
Now the Rosses have a stockpile in their garage and are always ready to serve the next foster family in their area.
Ryan says, “It’s something as simple as taking someone to get ice cream and something as big as being a foster parent.”
In addition to meeting the needs of foster families and children, the Rosses also want the foster parents to know they’re seen and cared for. On Mother’s Day, a local florist made bouquets of flowers for them to deliver to the foster moms in their area. On Father’s Day
, they delivered baskets to both foster dads and single foster moms who take on both roles.
To the one wondering if their gift or time can impact the lives of Connie Maxwell children, April says, “If you are being called to it, do it. Too often, we think someone else will, or we don’t have enough time or money. Our team gets hot, dirty, tired and sore. We drive a lot between home and Greenwood. We may miss a coffee date or extra meal out because we choose to donate supplies or sponsor children at Christmas. But we would’ve missed the best hugs, thank-yous, laughs and friendships with Connie Maxwell’s kids and staff.”
Jules Thompson, Director of Volunteer Engagement at CMCM says, “Ryan and April Ross are the kinds of volunteers you dream about in this field. They are consistent and reliable, believe in the mission, and love to share with others about all that is happening at Connie Maxwell. Their love for the Lord radiates into their entire lives, and their friendship to me and my family, even outside of volunteer opportunities, has been a sweet gift.”
“We say this started with a Google search,” April says, “but God was preparing us for this collaboration before I typed ‘children’s homes’ in that search bar. We thank Him daily for the support of our team, these children and those that support them, and, ultimately, for what He is allowing us to do to grow His kingdom. We have unquestionably been blessed.”
Everyone can do something, and every gift makes an impact on the dreams of our children. Visit conniemaxwell.com/imagineer to learn how you can help our children imagine brighter futures and dream big.
