10/01/2026
🚨 Long Post of Gratitude 🚨
Over the last several weeks I have had an associate of mine reach out about some young men from Richland County who were in need of community service hours. Of course here at Dolly’s House of Clothing Ministry we could always use volunteers to help sort, hang, organize, or simply greet people.
Due to the recent HVAC repairs at the church we have been closed for the last few weeks but by the grace of God, tonight was the return of our Wednesday night activities here at Eau Claire Baptist Church. It just so happened that it also was my night to prepare the meal. Knowing that I wouldn’t have my Spry’s Durty Kitchen crew with me I was going to be limited in my time and how effective I would be in Dolly’s House. Thank you Reup Spry Columbian M.O.E for holding me down on the home front and handling mommy & daddy duties so I could be present at church.
By the grace of God, not one, not two, but THREE young people came tonight to provide community service. Had these young people come any other night, it would have been a cake walk to them but tonight we were so busy it was a true blessing to me not only in Dolly’s House but in the kitchen as well and they put in work!
One of the young men told his Grandma that he felt like he had just got off of a 9-5. He had come straight from school and was with me until 8pm tonight. He never got to volunteer inside of Dolly’s House but he was my sous chef in the kitchen. I truly enjoyed all of them but I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work alongside this particular young man throughout the day. I thought I would have run him off how much stuff we had to do but he proudly gave me a hug and told me he would be back on Saturday to help me.
‼️ Today Dolly’s House served 40+ people!!! 🗣️ THIS IS A RECORD FOR A WEDNESDAY OPENING! Or possibly even the most persons served in one day. AND GUESS WHAT? More than 95% of those folks to include men, women & children all came in the fellowship to sit and have a meal with us or stayed to attend our Wednesday night small groups- which ultimately is always my goal.
Mind you I cannot be two places at once and the stove was a pure hater today so all of my attention was in the kitchen preparing the baked chicken, yellow rice, string beans, and cornbread. Had it not been for the TREMENDOUS, OUTSTANDING, NOBLE ACT OF LOVE AND KINDNESS from Mrs. Doris Becker Dolly’s House would have had to close today due to me being stretched thin. Not only did she personally greet 40+ people plus she welcomed them to stay, eat, and fellowship with us. She was a true example of what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Words cannot describe how grateful I am to her and her son Riot (whom was recently baptized on Sunday and is already giving God his Yes in a major way).
And right next door Ms. Grasanne Samuel was the blessed organizer, sorter, seamstress, coordinator, and much more than gave the two young people tasks and executed her tasks with no assistance needed me at all. Ms. Samuel had her own agenda tonight with her FREE sewing class (in which she had a full house PRAISE GOD) but did not think it was robbery to help in this life changing way.
My sis Betty Haskett and Brittnei Farrow came through with my God babies and not only did they help the ENTIRE time in Dolly’s House, they invited the crowd, and helped clean up the fellowship hall after the meal.
Dr. Richard Moore and his beautiful wife Mrs. Carolyn stepped in on the front line, back line, side line and everywhere in between to help things flow to help with our larger than expected crowd. Mahima Porch came in and rolled her sleeves us and helped mix my cornbread after I seasoned it up so I could move on to another task. Ms. Marcella Wright came in and help serve the line so I could prepare more food for our growing crowd. Mrs. Margie Lee and Mr. Eric and his beautiful wife Mrs. Edna came and provided a helping hand and helped with crowd control. Snookie Daniels came straight from work, rolled her sleeves up, and assisted where needed.
I thank Ms. D’Asia and Ms. Samiya for allowing the Koinonia of Columbia, Inc to sit and dine with us tonight- their chatter brightened up the fellowship hall and filled many seats that sometimes sit empty. They waited so patiently on the food, and to the parents I apologize if your babies came home a little later than normal- but I pray they came home happy and well fed.
I have to take the time to truly thank my wonderful Pastor Steven Bouknight for the gift of ECBC that opens up its doors on Wednesday night for a meal, service, small group, and fellowship for all ages. I don’t know many places where you can get a full meal for $1- a delicious meal made with love for that. And the person who gets the “Promotor of the Year” award Wesley Porch for sharing to so many different platforms, social media, and word of mouth to get folks to learn about us here at Dolly’s House & ECBC.
Tonight was an excellent example of what it means to act as ONE Body of Christ. I normally love to get pics but was too locked in and focused on what God was doing in and through my ECBC church family that I didn’t pause to capture the moment.
To my ECBC family I thank you, to each volunteer that helped me today in Dolly’s House or in the kitchen serving the line, cleaning up, etc. I say thank you, to each customer that came to shop and/or stayed to eat with us I thank you. And lastly but certainly not least I THANK YOU LORD for giving the strength to work my full time today then come straight from work to feed 60+ people and Lord you stretched it again and again to ensure everyone had something to eat and that though some folks had to wait on the next pan of chicken EVERYONE sat at the table TOGETHER and ate. It was a BEAUTIFUL sight and I’m so honored to have had the opportunity to witness God at work within our community and our church family.
I pray blessings over you and your family and thank God for each of you. If I have left anyone out, I apologize. Just so grateful and thankful to everyone. S/o to God!
Gracefully,
Whitnee Spry
