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Fashion show latest venture for generous teen
Delivering a package to Rodney Borders, director of Alternative Programs at Turning Point Academy in Shelby.

Sanai Lipscomb may be just finishing the ninth grade at Cherryville High, but she has already had a lifetime of experience in helping others. Lipscomb is the founder of My Hands, His Glory Ministry, and she has been organizing coat drives and other charity events for more than four years.
As a young child, Lipscomb spent a lot of time visiting both of her grandfathers in nursing homes, hospitals and Hospice.
"I was deeply touched by the outpouring of love shown to my family during difficult times," she says. One grandfather passed away in 2011 and the other in 2012.
"These life events became my inspiration to do 'good works' by giving back to those who provide care for others as well as for people in need," Lipscomb says.
Lipsomb's first project developed after she saw a homeless man on the highway on a cold winter day.
"I decided to organize the 'Warm A Heart Winter Coat Drive.' Along with my mom, Na'Tonya Houser, and dad, Marik Lipscomb, I pulled together a team," she says. "Our team set up drop boxes at local churches and collected more than 50 coats that we donated to Crossroads Rescue Mission in Shelby."
Not long after this first charity drive, Lipscomb was busy again organizing a Christmas drive called "Cocoa For Caregivers." This now-annual event started small by providing shoeboxes filled with hot chocolate, mugs and marshmallows for the caregivers at Wendover Hospice of Cleveland County and at White Oak Manor of Shelby.
"Both places were very supportive of my grandfather during his time there," says Lipscomb. As time went on, "Cocoa for Caregivers" spread from Cleveland County into Gaston and Mecklenburg counties, as well. In 2016 Lipscomb and her team not only shared packages with the original Shelby locations, but also with caregivers at the Ronald McDonald House, at the Levine Cancer Center and at the Clear Creek Residential Center - all in Charlotte - and also at Turning Point Academy of Shelby and Holy Angels Care Center in Belmont.
"My team has grown to include local faith-based partners as well as student council members at schools," says Lipscomb. The original small shoeboxes were replaced with baskets filled with a variety of snacks accompanying the hot chocolate.
"'Cocoa for Caregivers' is my way of recognizing the valuable work of caregivers as well as the sacrifices they make to take care of others," says Lipscomb. "I want them to know their hard work does not go unnoticed."
Now Lipscomb has once again decided to collect new and gently used clothes for the homeless, but she has a new method of raising public awareness and support for her efforts.
"We will host our first fashion show to raise donations for Gaston and Cleveland County homeless shelters," she says. "Planning this event has been an awesome experience so far! I am really excited about this charity fashion show."
Donations for the My Hands, His Glory Fashion Show will be accepted up until the day of the event, Saturday, June 24, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. at the LeGrand Center in Shelby. Admission to the show is $2, and all donated clothing and a portion of the money raised will go to support the shelters.
"We are asking everyone to come and support this worthy cause," says Lipscomb. "Let's show our love through generosity towards others in need."
For more information or to make a donation, call 980-989-6949.

By April Hoyle Shauf

Special to Community First Media


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