The Philanthropist I Admire
by Genevieve Jennings, North Putnam Middle School
Marilyn O’Hair Winters is not just a brilliant philanthropist, she is also someone I look up to and admire. She works tirelessly to make a change in the world through Jesus Christ. She is relentless, working for hours and spending her time where it matters. She doesn’t do charity to get validation, but to help others and the community get closer to Jesus. Marilyn has helped with organizations, raised money, and has led teams to help everyone around her, whether that be setting examples or doing work to support charities.
This charitable woman volunteers at the organization Carenet to give pregnant women supplies to keep their baby and help them thrive. She helps to provide food and clothes for mothers for their children. She listens to all of the mothers and does what is right for their situation. She also tells mothers about God and how He can and will help guide them get through this difficult time.
Marilyn also started a charity, the Children’s Boutique at the Greencastle Christian Church, where families can come and get clothes for children without a fee. She and her team raised a large sum of financial assistance for this organization and hosted charity events in the church to introduce families to the Children’s Boutique. Mrs.Winters used this as a way to bring people closer to Jesus and open minds to the church.
This leader also started a bible study at a nursing home in Greencastle and led the group for a 30 minute long study. After that, she would lead the group singing old gospel hymns that they knew from childhood. She believes that God pressed on her heart to do this and it worked. Marilyn also puts on a Prime Time Luncheon, where elderly people are allowed to come to the church and the church provides lunch for them. Religious speakers and musicians entertain the elderly people, which brings them joy!
Mrs. Winters also did many money raising events and drives to help with supplying charities. Marilyn has said that she hopes others will learn to do more for the community because that is what she learned from her philanthropic journey. Mrs.Winters mostly did the work because of how disappointing it was for her to see all of these people in need and wanted to make a change.
Marilyn has always wanted to make a change ever since her employment in a company where the employees never had enough. She thought she could give them a food pantry or clothing mission so that they could gain access to bare necessities and that is exactly what she did. Marilyn has done so much for her community and has left an imprint in many lives. We need more people like her! I admire this fabulous woman so much for her donation to society, because I know she is working, caring and quite frankly someone should want to be like.