Compassion Inspiring Action ramps up for local needs
Tommy Huffham helps gather leaves while Compassion Inspiring Action volunteers install a wheel chair ramp. {Photo: Antionette Kerr/Davidson Local}
This weekend, a wheelchair ramp placed on Tommy Huffham’s front porch will be a game changer for the former 13-year Food Lion employee. Tommy and Jeannie Huffham have spent the past 35 years in their home on Biesecker Drive. Due to complications with Tommy’s heart, legs and shoulders, he has been wheelchair-bound, which meant only leaving the house for doctors’ appointments. Jeannie thanked the team from Compassion Inspiring Action (C.I.A.) for cleaning and placing the ramp on the home over the past two Saturdays.
The action resulted in a ramp that Tommy could navigate to go outside of his home.
“It’s making it a lot easier to get him out to doctors’ appointments,” Jeannie offered. “My son would walk him down the steps and it was a nightmare.”
The couple’s niece, Donna Groves, volunteers regularly for C.I.A and requested assistance from its organizers. The group responded quickly with more than 10 volunteers over a two-week period helping to clean the backyard and ultimately deliver a ramp to Huffham’s home.
“His quality of life has gone down a lot since he got in the wheelchair,” Groves shared. Tommy looked on and held a lawn bag while others piled in leaves from the year. He struggled to speak for an interview but his niece explained, “All he kept saying is if I could only sit under the tree and watch cars go by.”
C.I.A. has an interesting story when it comes to its founding. Matter of fact, it’s hard for some to believe that a few years ago, Jimmy Davis and Robert Miller were bitter enemies battling about politics on social media. It took a family on the verge of homelessness to overcome their political differences.
Their truce has brought forth a commitment to helping others, so Davis and Miller formed the 501(c)(3) Davidson County Compassion Inspiring Action, simply known as C.I.A. Miller, who works fulltime at Carolina Senior Care, serves as its president. Davis, who owns a Winston-Salem based rental car dealership, serves as vice president. Both dedicate their time as volunteers.
The nonprofit provides furniture, utility assistance, food, gas and similar needs for Davidson County residents.
Davis said their process for assisting others is simple: “Most people contact us through our Facebook page.”
Additionally, they receive referrals from Davidson County Crisis Ministry. As families transition from homelessness to housing, the group has helped to completely furnish homes. Miller said cash, furniture and appliance donations pour in from community members. Furnishings, toys, appliances and a host of other items are stored on the Carolina Senior Care property at no cost to C.I.A. Fundraising galas and yard sales help C.I.A. fund a program that has donated more than $60,000 in cash and furnishings in the past year.
Both Miller and Davis have faced medical challenges this year that rendered them unable to do heavy lifting for an additional few weeks. But that hasn’t stopped the group’s efforts. They insisted on helping the Huffhams this weekend despite recovering from respective surgeries. Miller said in a previous statement that the group will continue to look for opportunities to give. His motto is “Never look down on someone unless you are reaching out your hand to help pick them up.” This lesson comes from his upbringing.
“My mother was my inspiration and my hero while growing up. She would never complain, and she would make sure we never did without no matter how tough times may have gotten. She was a master of making a little bit go a long way.”
To learn more about Compassion Inspiring Action, visit their Facebook page.
