Breakfast of Champions
Volunteers are vital to the success of residents at The Extension. Our volunteers give their time and resources toward helping our residents find hope and healing while in their program. Sometimes, a hot meal shared with a caring volunteer can be more effective than any therapy session.
Tom Martin and his men’s Bible study group from St. Peter and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Marietta have served the men at The Extension for more than 22 years. The group includes Tom Martin, David Fritts, Travis Robinson, Charley Martin, Peter Williams, Sharp Gillespie, and past volunteers Al Gladding and Don Loeber.
Every Friday morning at 5:15 AM, you’ll find Tom and the guys preparing and sharing a hearty breakfast with our residents. Even the pandemic couldn’t stop these mighty men from dropping off breakfast every week when they could not be there in person. This group’s dedication and servant hearts have seen hundreds of men find healing through our program.
I was able to talk with Tom recently to find out more.
What inspired you to start serving the men?
“A desire to give back. Our group has had jobs and lives better than 99% of those walking the planet, and we want to express and share that blessing with others.”
Most of our volunteers provide dinner; why does your group prefer breakfast?
“We’ve supported dinner a few times, but we want to get them in the habit of starting a day with a hot breakfast, Bible reading, and prayer.
What are some of your favorite memories of serving the guys over the past 22 years?
“Over the years, I’ve had the honor of attending their graduations, hearing their journeys, and seeing them restored with their family members. I love to see them when they are back out in society. They recognize you and thank you for helping them get their lives straightened out – they will say things like – “I would not have made it through The Extension program without you guys on Friday morning always being there for us, your consistency helped me be consistent in my journey to sobriety.”
One of the graduates who went through the program ten years ago continues to come back and help us on Friday mornings.”
What keeps you coming back?
“The relationships we’ve built with the residents keep us coming back. Jesus never gave up on us, so we’ll never give up on them. We get fed far more than they receive with the meals we provide every week. Living out the Scriptures by doing what Jesus did helps us internalize Jesus deeper into our heart and soul, so living as Jesus lived every day starts to become automatic and you don’t have to think about it.”
Tom and his group started a tradition of serving at The Extension. Tom recently asked his teenage grandson Charley to join the group. At first, Tom thought his grandson might not want to get up so early, but to his surprise, his grandson is also growing a servant’s heart. “Often when that alarm goes off at 4:00 am and I jump instantly out of bed thinking Oh boy, I get to serve this morning! Even though sometimes, I want a few more minutes of sleep, I’ll go ahead and get up; after serving the guys at The Extension, I feel completely glorious!”
