COLUMBUS, Ind. — Amy Linnemann is soft enough to speak of Jesus’ compassion as pastor of Ohio Chapel United Methodist Church. And Linnemann is tough enough to have been a roller derby queen named Metaphorocious for Columbus’ Terrorz team a few years ago.
The yin and yang of those two personas present at least a partial picture of the founder and volunteer leader of the local and growing nonprofit called Beloved. Her vulnerability is the trait that opened her heart three years ago to the need of some of the youngest and most vulnerable residents in Bartholomew County. And her toughness remains an element that pushes her and her team to make sure these residents’ dignity and psyche are protected.
With the help of social workers, the organization supplies a colorful duffel bag — a Beloved Bag — to every child caught up in the crisis of a traumatic transition such as a move to foster care. Each Beloved Bag is stocked with items designed to meet urgent physical and emotional needs, with room for them to pack and tote personal belongings. Beloved reaches approximately 300 children and youth per year in Bartholomew — and it recently began reaching out to those in surrounding counties.
The bag serves as a significant tool for youngsters, since many children in the past have been left to pack belongings in a trash bag, often making them feel as if they are as disposable as the container.
Linnemann speaks of the mission with an evangelist’s passion while passing praise to an army of supporters, from a volunteer board to key corporate help from such partners as Cummins Inc., Toyota Material Handling, Centra Credit Union, and Bartholomew County REMC, whose grant paid for this year’s supply of bags. Plus, individuals such as local elementary school student Hadley Andresen made and sold greeting cards last year that generated $1,200 for the cause.
“We have a tremendously generous community determined to support some of the most vulnerable,” Linnemann said. “All of the doors connected with this work began opening before I even knocked.”
For the complete story, see Tuesday’s Republic.
