When Lynn Montgomery’s father passed away in September, the Columbia native found herself not only grieving but in debt.

“Everything had just gotten behind,” she said.

A single mother with a young son of her own, Montgomery had started taking care of her only remaining parent four years ago after he was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Her father, who went on to suffer a debilitating stroke in January, never got better.

In the days after he passed, Montgomery found herself deeper in debt. Any extra money went toward funeral expenses, basic needs and health care bills, she said.

“I suddenly realized, I’m not going to be able to pay these bills,” she said.

In December, after several notices about her past-due power bill, Montgomery received final word that her power would be cut off the next day. In a panic, she began contacting relief agencies in the hope that someone might be able to help.

“I thought, oh my gosh, I don’t know if I’m going to make it,” she said.

Then she remembered her father had once been a regular donor to the Woodyard Fund. She decided it was worth a try.

“I never thought I’d be turning to the Woodyard Fund myself,” she said. “I’ve never been in this situation.”

After she called the Salvation Army and made an appointment, $300 of the $309 power bill was paid.

“I cannot even explain to you the joy and relief I felt,” she said. “I was like, this is too good to be true.”

Montgomery says she is glad the Woodyard Fund was there for her, especially after all those years her father, who had believed in its importance, had contributed to the fund.

But she continues to struggle. And some days, she says, it all seems overwhelming.

“I sometimes just say, ‘God I know you’re with me.’ ”

WOODYARD FUND CONTRIBUTIONS

For the week ending Dec. 14

John Cloyd, in memory of Doris A. Cloyd, $1,000

Sid and Henrietta Locke, $100

Anonymous, $25

Seekers Class at Salem UMC, $200

Nela F. Balling, $200

Miriam S. Gregory, $100

Augsburg Sunday School Class at Mount Tabor Lutheran Church, $75

Anonymous, $30

The Roofs, in loving memory of our parents, $100

Karen Bennett, $50

Wade F. Fisher, $200

Anne G. Reyner, $125

Charles and Virginia Greene, $150

Judy S. Pearce, $25

In loving memory of Evelyn Logan, $100

In memory of Tom and Helen Anderson, $25

The Henri Bishop Sunday School Class, $50

Louie A Jacobs, $50

The McGreevy Family, $200

Kyle and Company PC, $500

William Ackermann, $100

William R. Amick, $1,500

Jackie Dickman and Keith Babcock, $50

Linda McGarry, $100

Sam McCarty, $50

In memory of Lucy H. Behles, $100

Rebecca C. Hipp, $100

Tom and Nell Haggard, $100

F. Ernest Gates, $25

Elizabeth N. Richardson, $100

Lee and Louise Andrews, $200

Carol Heitlinger, $100

Robert G. Tunell, $100

David D. Kennedy, $250

Mr. and Mrs. O.M Higgins Jr., $100

John E. Aiken Jr., $500

Carolyn Bentley, $100

Kenyon and Leona East, in loving memory of our parents, Hugh and Faye Mozingo, $200

Leigh and Jenny Leventis, $200

Jane P. Robinson, $50

Margaret R. Rembert, $50

Anonymous, $100

In memory of James A. Player Sr., $100

Charles C. King, $100

Betty F. Mathias, in memory of “Buddy,” $100

George P. Johnson, $100

In memory of Claudia and Edgar Waites, $100

Mr. and Mrs. Murray Price, $100

Salem United Methodist Women, $130

William G. Bailey, in memory of Kathleen C. Bailey, $25

Anonymous, $100

Leonard A. Grubbs, $20

In memory of Wade McIntyre, $100

In honor of John and Keith from Roger, $200

Ola B. Gaylor Circle from Shandon UMC, $100

George M Webb, $100

Anonymous, $250

Floride B. Heyward, in memory of Mary D. Buchanan, $250

William J. Moody, $50

Mrs. Charles W. Williams, $100

M. Elizabeth Taylor, $100

Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Kinard, $100

Anonymous, $25

Anonymous, $25

William A. Trotter, $300

William H. Dillow, $25

Maxey D Love Jr., $50

Betty Ann Shealy, $200

Richard C. White, $240

Anonymous, $400

Women’s Ministries at Arsenal Hill ARP Church, $250

William L. Dent, $100

Norman L. Flynn, $50

Mattie Mathias Circle at Union UMC, $100

Judith K. Shimp, $150

Phyllis F. Laughridge, $50

Mackenzie Higbe, Anna Johnson and Nyal Johnson, $75

Charles M. Stone, $200

Anonymous, $350

The Old Guard Golf Association at Northwoods Golf Club, $2,287

William P. Ellerbe Jr., $150

Sally M. Quantz, $150

John R. Folsom, $100

Anonymous, $20

Lykesland Tuesday Afternoon Book Club, $60

The Mullaney Agency Inc., $25

Miles B. Hadley, $100

Brian Blatt, $100

Jerry D. Burton, $50

Mr. and Mrs. John S. Watts, $200

In honor of Alston and Leah Gore, $30

Darrel and Marie Tinch, $100

The Fellowship Class at Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church, $100

In memory of James Clamp, $300

Mary Ann Ropeter, $50

Charles Gardner, $50

Bunko Babes of Columbia, $110

THIS WEEK’S TOTAL, $16,277

TOTAL TO DATE, $33,739

Reach Lucas at (803) 771-8657.