&noscript=1 />

Lufkin community comes together to furnish three apartments for single parents

30 volunteers from Ashley Furniture, Walmart and Coca-Cola beat the heat to help single parents in need

Last week, Ashley Furniture, Walmart and Coca-Cola worked together in the East Texas summer heat to furnish and decorate three Buckner Family Pathways™ apartments in Lufkin, Texas. Starting this fall, the apartments will house new families arriving to the program, many with little support for starting a new life.

“These three apartments will be completely move-in ready for three incoming residents,” shared Holly Valentine, Family Pathways director. “Many who move in only bring their family and their clothes. Through this, we will only need to provide the basics like food, which helps us out tremendously.”

Ashley Furniture and Walmart donated everything from apartment furniture, decor and kitchen essentials. These items included full-sized beds with bedding, dressers and nightstands, twin beds and bedding, kitchen tables, couches, bathroom supplies and small kitchen appliances. Coca-Cola was able to fill in the gaps financially to purchase other needed items and provide transportation for all the furnishings.  

About 30 volunteers from all three organizations volunteered their time for two days to move furniture in, assemble needed pieces and decorate the homes.

“These incoming residents will know the community came together to do this for them,” Valentine said. “Lufkin is a community that always helps each other, and this helps the residents feel supported during a challenging time in their lives.”

In addition to furnishing the apartments, Walmart worked with Valentine to find out current residents’ most-wanted items. They were able to present those gifts to the families at a block party hosted at the end of the week. 

“This was a great way to also give back to the women who are currently in our program,” Valentine shared. 

The block party celebrated the collaboration between the organizations and the current Family Pathways families. Kids were able to cool off with water games, and everyone enjoyed a classic cookout meal together.

“We loved having all these organizations out to the campus, and it truly brings us together as a community,” Valentine shared. “This has been a huge blessing to our Family Pathways program and families.”

See how you can help vulnerable children and families in your own community.

Add a Comment

Subscribe To Our Blog

Get uplifting stories of how you can shine hope in the U.S. and around the world!

We're excited to share with you all the ways you can shine hope to vulnerable children and families around the world. We invite you to stay connected with us while also growing in your own faith.

Click below to get the latest news, updates and invitations to exclusive events from Buckner. And, we'll send you spiritual encouragement through our weekly Faith Focus devotion. You won't find these stories and resources anywhere else!