Arthur Green loves to tell the story of how he met his wife, Minerva.

“I’ve known her since she was 13,” he says.

As high school sweethearts, the Greens once shared a special bond. But the two, who had attended C.A. Johnson High School together, slowly went their separate ways and married other people.

Having both lost spouses and gone through their share of life’s ups and downs, the two were reunited about a year and a half ago and decided to get married.

Now, 50 years after Arthur and Minerva first met, the two are together again. And while things are looking up again for the happy couple, life still presents the occasional challenge.

A paraplegic, Green has been wheelchair-bound since he was 12. Having endured six surgeries in the past two years, the 63-year-old has had his share of health issues and medical bills.

In December, the couple faced yet another challenge together. As temperatures dropped, the Greens’ power bill began to skyrocket.

On a fixed income and unable to afford such a hefty bill, the Greens turned to the Woodyard Fund for help. Administered by the Salvation Army, the fund helps people in Richland, Lexington, Fairfield and Newberry counties during the coldest months of the year — November through March.

After just one appointment, $300 of the Greens’ $569 power bill was paid.

Minerva Green says it was a relief. “It was a blessing from God,” she says.

Her husband relies on a “CPAP” machine and an oxygen tank to help him breathe, she explains, both of which need power.

“The Woodyard Fund is something great,” she says. “And the Salvation Army is a blessing from God, not just because of this particular fund but everything they do.”

Woodyard Fund

How to give help: Donations can be mailed to the Woodyard Fund, c/o The State, P.O. Box 1333, Columbia, SC 29202. Make checks payable to the Woodyard Fund. All donations are tax-deductible.

How to get help: Area residents who need assistance with heating bills can call for an appointment at (803) 462-5093

Woodyard Fund contributions

For the week ending Feb. 1

Ruth Spires, $50

Anonymous, $15

In honor of Lindsay and Isabelle Cribbs from Mimi, $100

In memory of my parents, Ben J. and Dora L. Wall, $200

Freddie and Jennifer Brock, $50

Abbie G. Bozard, $50

Petersen Presbyterian Church, $315

Jacqueline S. Cominotti, $20

Claire S. Mayer, $100

Ed and Pat Dubose, $100

Grace United Methodist Women, $200

Laura T. Johnson, $50

Sandra M. Matthews, $100

John C. Lee Jr., $100

Kent Demars, $100

Isaac S. Savitz Jr., $50

Pamela R. Blackwell, $25

Carrell L. Rutter, $35

Douglas Potter, $170

Robert Marchi, $50

In memory of Betty H. Smith, $100

Eula Hornsby Circle at Greene Street United Methodist Church, $25

Anonymous, $50

Jeannie M. Rubin, $100

Winsome Sunday School class at Kilbourne Park Baptist Church, $200

In memory of Gavin Cochcroft, $30

Anonymous, $250

WMU Woodfield Park Baptist Church, $100

The St. Andrews-Irmo Family and Community Leaders Club, $50

Tree of Life Sisterhood, $100

Charles Bush, $100

Mrs. Sara K. Addy, $100

In memory of Pop Gantt, $100

Mildred R. Thompson, $100

Anonymous, $50

Linda C. Smith, $200

Dianne C. McGreevy, $200

Anonymous, $100

TOTAL THIS WEEK $3,835

TOTAL TO DATE $86,007

Reach Lucas at (803) 771-8657.