Woodyard Fund helps mother fighting breast cancer
A mother who received an unexpected medical diagnosis last week found strength in the help she received from an area nonprofit.
Ebony Hallingquest, a mother of four, just moved to a new place in Columbia and was facing mounting bills.
Hallingquest said she was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer last week. She was scheduled to have surgery last week until her doctors suggested an alternate route. She said if this does not work, she will have to go into surgery.
“It was a lot to take, but by me having my baby, I have to be strong,” she said. “I’m still trying to adjust to the situation. ... I’m coping with it day by day.”
The added expense of medical care on top of moving expenses meant she could not pay to have her utility service transferred to her new home.
She contacted the Salvation Army after her doctor’s appointment when her sister recommended she talk to the nonprofit about helping her with her utilities.
She explained her situation, and the Salvation Army paid what she owed through its Woodyard Fund.
“I was very excited,” she said. “I was grateful. I thanked God, because I prayed all day.”
Hallingquest said she felt blessed to be under the care of good doctors and the Salvation Army.
She said she is hoping and praying that she feels better so she can soon help others.
“When I get back on my feet, I will be donating, also, to help families in need,” she said. “(The Woodyard Fund) is a great thing that we have.”
The Woodyard Fund helps residents in crisis in Richland, Lexington, Fairfield and Newberry counties pay for utilities. The fund dates to 1816, when the Ladies Benevolent Society provided firewood and coal to families in need. In 1930, The State newspaper’s editor, William E. Gonzales, began publicizing the fund. It became a tradition the newspaper continues every winter.
Woodyard Fund
How to give help: Donations can be mailed to the Woodyard Fund, c/o The Salvation Army of the Midlands, P.O. Box 2786, 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 (803) 462-5093 for more information or to make an appointment for assistance.
Donations
Through Jan. 29
Thomas L. and Martha C. Kennerly, $200; Gloria D. Truluck, $50; Alice Boyle, $100; J.B. Kneece, $250; Sue N. Allen and Robert P. Allen, $100; Robin M. Christmus, $100; Hope Class at Temple Baptist Church, $100; Isaac S. Savitz, Jr. and Dollie G. Savitz, $25; Jane Hammond Jervey, $25; Shandon United Methodist Church, $500; Mr. and Mrs. David E. Dukes, $1,000, in honor of Mrs. Anne E. Dukes; Patricia M. and Robert E. Robinson, $100, in memory of Anne B. Wyndham; Mary L. Diepolder, $193; J. Warren Tompkins, $100; Anonymous, $100; Duane C. and Ruth R. Yoch, $100; Joseph D. and Sara B. Mills, $100; St. John Neumann Crisis Ministry, $200; Trannie C. Abboushi, $200; Nancy H. Folk, $50; Jim and Mary Corley, $50; Earle M. Bennett, $75; Iva Dell Griffin, $25; Verldon Spence, $100; The Frank Harden Sunday School Class at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, $50; Ladies Adult Sunday School Class at First Calvary Baptist Church, $113; Fellowship Sunday School Class of Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church, $200; Room 32 Sunday School Class at Cayce United Methodist Church, $50;Rose Mary S. Smith and John W. Smith, $25; Mary Adkins Sunday School Class at Westside Baptist Church, $40; Wally and Delores Graves, $100; Robert T. and Pamela R. Blackwell, $50; Lt Col Thomas O. Maffett, Jr. and Mrs. Carolyn S. Maffett, $50; Gloria Mack, $50, in memory of Marshall Mack; Robert B. Rogers, $25, in honor of Millie Rogers; The Men of Petersen Presbyterian Church, $100
Weekly total: $4,696
Total to date: $71,532
This story was originally published January 31, 2016 at 7:00 PM.