ASHTON — A growing, Christian community outreach program on the Southern end of Mason County has a new director.

Delyssa (Huffman) Edmonds has been chosen as the new director for Crosslight of Hope. She was selected by the organization’s board members which include President Jeanie Nibert, Vice-President Marjie Moran, Secretary Brandi Templeton, Justin Moran and Anne Legge.

According to Edmonds, Crosslight of Hope serves 435 individuals by providing basic needs, including food and clothing as well as household furniture and building supplies.

“The need is very high for what we might consider basic things,” Edmonds said, explaining she hopes to get the word out to the community that Crosslight of Hope is accepting donations of larger items such as couches, dinette sets, refrigerators, stoves, windows, doors, etc.

In addition to serving families on Mondays through its food pantry and Wednesdays through its “clothes day,” Crosslight of Hope feeds 64 children over the weekends with its Backpack Blessing Program.

“Each Friday, we fill bags to be distributed to the three local schools: Beale Elementary, Ashton Elementary, and Hannan Jr/Sr High School,” Edmonds said. “We fill the bags with nutritious snacks and juices. Many of our volunteers come in to stuff and deliver the bags and I know how much the kids enjoy getting their bag at the end of the day on Friday. We are looking to expand this vital program to the summers if we can establish the funds and a workable program.”

Crosslight of Hope is a 501 (c)(3) program and Edmonds said the organization has been very fortunate in the past to receive some grant funding and “generous donations” from businesses in the community.

“I hope to continue those relationships as well as establish new ones so we can continue to serve our Lord through this outreach,” Edmonds said.

As for her goals as the new director, Edmonds said there are many, including building a stronger relationship with the community churches.

“I would love to see a representative from each of the churches in the the Southern end of our county serve as a board member because that would enable us to do so much more as far as reaching out and helping our families,” Edmonds explained. “I am also reaching out to local businesses to partner with us. Many already have supported this necessary community outreach. Currently, I am also hosting drives each month to stock our shelves at Crosslight. For the month of February, I asked for canned meats and soups, and this month, I am seeking donations for hygiene products for the families we serve; items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo, etc.”

As for why she feels up to the task of being director, Edmonds said: “I have held many leadership roles in the past which have prepared me for this time. But I feel what makes me most qualified is that I know the Lord as my risen Savior. I felt a strong need and calling on my life to serve the Lord more, and this just happened to come at the right time. But I also believe that nothing is a coincidence. The Lord led me here.”

Check out Crosslight of Hope’s webpage at crosslightofhope.webs.com and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Crosslight-of-Hope-Inc/312607968842190?fref=ts.