May is Foster Care Month, and most every day of the year is about foster care for Cheryl Flick. The Western New York woman has not only fostered 15 children, but,since 2018, has also been working with other foster parents to operate the Western New York Foster Closet, distributing donated clothing and other necessities for foster families.

Called to serve victims of Hurricane Helene.

Youth and adults at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania's Watermarke Church are hoping for support as they team with other local churches for a missions trip

Our guest on this edition of Hometown Heroes is Watermarke Assistant Pastor Brad Heltman, who's helping to lead that trip.

Using the universal love of a friendly therapy dog to break down barriers to the Gospel.

That's the premise behind a national ministry known as "Canines 4 Christ." Jessica Vamos is with the Keystone Chapter, serving Cambria, Huntingdon and Blair counties in Pennsylvania. Learn more at k9forchrist.org.

Tackling the painful topic of sex abuse and human trafficking is something Abba Ministries Counseling Center in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania has been doing for over 40 years, led by pastor and counselor Mike Bruno. His front line stories aren't easy listening, but are crucial to truly understanding the depth and seriousness of the problem.

In this episode of "Hometown Heroes," Lisa Lyon - Executive Director of "The Relief Zone" tells us about the faith-based, multi-faceted childcare program in the Chautaqua County community of Frewsburg. known locally as "TRZ", which has been going strong for over 20 years.

In this episode of "Hometown Heroes," Bath, NY Ccentral School District Superintendent Kelly Houck discusses Haverling High School's successful collaboration with the Food Bank of the Southern Tier to operate an in-school grocery store known as 'Ram-Mart.'

On this "Best of" edition of Hometown Heroes, we revisit our interview with Pennsylvania missionary Todd Gallagher, who recounts his experiences in Ukraine at the start of the Russian invasion over three years ago.

Mike Hennessey with "Youth for Christ" in Rochester, NY uses basketball to address an epidemic of fatherlessness in the "Flower City"

Farmers Helping Farmers  (Part 2)

Helping with Hay for Hurricane Helene's victims

Brittany Eisenman organized fellow northwest Pennsylvania farm families to ship hay to North Carolina and Tennessee farmers devastated flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.

That effort that has produced countless faith stories for those involved. 

This is Part Two of Mark Webster's conversation about how farmers help farmers -- and Christians help neighbors, even those who are a distance away. The widespread response from the community is heartening to those who are helping, and for those who have received this practical compassion.

You also can hear Part One of our "Hometown Heroes" interview. Check it out on our 2/26/2025 feature podcast. You can send a link so someone else among your family, friends or congregation can hear it. All of our original Family Life Podcasts are also available to download, or click Subscribe to be notified each time a new episode goes online.

For further details and photos from this "Hay Lift", there is additional coverage from multiple farm journals and local websites.

For more about the ministry which is overseeing the logistics of these deliveries, go to the website or social media of Spurred to Victory Ministries. Spurred to Victory's primary evangelistic work uses horses to share the Gospel.

photo credit: facebook/brittany eisenman

#hometownheroes

#familylifenews

Helping with Hay for Hurricane Helene's victims

Farmers Helping Farmers 

It's the "Hometown Heroes" podcast from Family Life News

The devastation of Hurricane Helene in mid-2024 will be felt for years in the Carolinas, Tennessee and other states. But, a group of farmers in northwestern Pennsylvania provided a helpful response that many of us might not have even realized was needed.

In this week's Hometown Heroes podcast, Mark Webster introduces you to Brittany Eisenman, who organized shipments of hay to western North Carolina farmers after those massive floods. As you will hear, it wasn't farmers "bailing" out farmers with bales of hay for their livestock, there's a strong story of a God Moment which was a major aspect to this project.

You also can hear Part Two of our "Hometown Heroes" interview about the practical and spiritual messages shared with each truckload of hay. Check it out on our 3/04/2025 feature podcast.

EYT Media is another source to find out about this haylift.

Other episodes of our original podcasts introduce you to other "Hometown Heroes", individuals and groups who take intentional steps to tangibly enhance the lives of their neighbors, communities and regions.

Find our archives at FamilyLife.org/newspodcasts and other popular podcast platforms. You can share, listen or download, or tap "subscribe" to receive an update each time a new edition goes online.

"Hometown Heroes" also airs most Tuesdays during the Family Life Noon Report and our 5 O'Clock Report, with highlights also included in our other newscasts. Hear these on one of our nearly-70 radio stations across Pennsylvania and New York, or listen in from anywhere with our live stream, app, or web player:  

ways to listen to Family Life

other Family Life News features

more about Family Life News

photo credit: facebook/brittany eisenman

#hometownheroes

#familylifenews