Pollsters, pundits and ordinary citizens can agree on at least one thing about September 11 – tragedy has opened the hearts of Americans. The crisis seems to have touched even the most hard-hearted, and generosity and nobility of spirit have been noted from New York City to California.
Well before the current trend, John and Elizabeth Moritz of Sheffield experienced a defining moment. In January of 1992, their three children were killed in a car accident on the way home from school. It was a devastating loss, one that could have created a permanent downward trend for the couple.
But even then, during the year following the accident, they decided to shift their focus to the needs of others. They realized that plenty of children in the world needed them. At Christmas in 1992, the Moritz’s went abroad, bringing Christmas gifts for children in Ghana. From that first trip they have created an ever-widening circle of assistance for children in the developing world.
Help for abandoned children
“Hearts of the Father Outreach – Homes of Refuge For Children†was incorporated in 1994 to establish safe homes for orphaned, abandoned and abused children in the developing world. From their base in Sheffield, the couple maintains a network that provides care. “In eight years we’ve seen it grow from 30 children to 250 children. We want to help many more,†says John Moritz.
Moritz and his wife are devout Christians. The foundation, which incorporated in 1994, has a non-denominational Board of Directors. They build, renovate or rent homes in developing countries using funds they raise privately. Using the local missionary population to identify indigenous people to hire as house parents and administrators of the program, they create what they call homes of refuge. After verifying with the government that the children are, indeed, orphans, children are given a home.
The house parents are individuals who are active in a Christian faith and the children are exposed to Christian teaching. Eventually, Moritz says, like children here, they will make up their own minds about religion.
Committed to effort
Extensive travel is required, sometimes as much as four months out of the year. “It’s hard to do a business, have a ministry and travel,†says Moritz, who is the owner of Aquatic Designs, Inc. in Sheffield. But there are consolations. “When I’m involved in this is when I’m the happiest. It’s where I feel most alive.â€
Moritz has seen first-hand the effect of poverty and war. The group’s literature cites the following statistics: Over 35 percent of children growing up in less developed nations will be illiterate, and between 25 percent and 40 percent (depending on the country) will be malnourished. Many children die from diseases that could be prevented by immunization. Millions live in the street or in refugee camps.
Moritz is philosophical. “If we could all help one child, there wouldn’t be an orphan population… In the midst of suffering and hardship they can turn to many things. That’s the saddest thing to see – the suffering of the children.†The Moritz's have since adopted a daughter from China.
The network of "homes of refuge" cover a lot of territory, serving children on many continents. “In Ghana we built a home. In India, we rented a home. In Mexico, we took over an existing orphanage. In Uganda we started a kind of foster care – we identified families and put them through training and got them sponsored.†The couple also wants to help children in the United States; plans are in the making for a working farm in Byrne, New York that could serve as a refuge.
Strong local support
Moritz says that local customers from his pool business are among his most ardent supporters. A walk-a-thon held last year raised $10,000. The foundation raised about $200,000 last year through churches, foundations, businesses and child sponsorships. He says that 90 percent of the funds go directly to child services. He operates the foundation at his place of business on Main Street in Sheffield and says that the business, not the foundation, pays their salaries.
Moritz welcomes input and contributions from people of all faiths. Non-Christians have worked on the foundation’s projects, he says, and he is a bit annoyed at the lack of interest local media has shown in the project. “Our heart is helping children. The fact that we’re Christians doesn’t make it better or worse.†Administrative assistant Karen Minton concurs, paraphrasing a biblical passage: “True religion is visiting widows and orphans.â€
This year’s walk-a-thon will be held on Saturday, November 24 at 10 a.m. and will be held regardless of inclement weather. It begins at Bartholomew Farm in Sheffield at 1080 South Undermountain Road. Walkers will obtain pledges for each mile of the ten-mile walk. For more information you can call the foundation at (413) 229-2922 or visit their website at www.heartsofthefather.org.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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