On her drive home from school, Lily Sumner started to notice something was off.

A sixth grader at the time, Sumner realized that unlike herself, not everyone had their basic needs met. That the community around her had challenges. She wondered if she could make a difference instead of just driving by.

“We took the same exit home every day,” Sumner said. “We would get stopped by a homeless person holding up cardboard boxes who was asking for money or something to eat. I began to ask my parents, ‘What can I do to help?’”

Sumner wasn’t sure where to start to tackle homelessness, but she started small. She began to share snacks like her granola bar or whatever was in the car. One time, she even tried to clean out her parents’ pantry.

“I wondered how I could be more prepared when I saw someone in need the next time,” Sumner added.
After her mom suggested asking people for donations, Sumner knew she wanted to help people in the winter. She sent out flyers at school and rallied any students or teachers to care about people we often walk by.

“The homeless are often disregarded, but they’re human. They are people like everyone else. I truly believe everyone is a child of God and should have equal access to basic needs and opportunities in this life. These are people trying to find a way out and I try to put myself in their shoes.”

Now a junior at Mercy Academy, Sumner has seen her efforts grow and adapt over the years.

“I’m driven to have a passion in this, to care about the issues happening in my community. It gives me chills just thinking about it. I know this is something I was meant to do and it’s fulfilling for me,” Sumner said.

Sumner’s not done it alone. She created the nonprofit Wrapped in God’s Warmth five years ago, which partners with students and teachers from Mercy Academy, St. Rita Catholic School, Trinity High School, and DeSales High School. Those who desire to help donate water bottles, packaged snacks, blankets, hats, gloves, and scarfs that get turned into what are called “kits.”

“Wrapped in God’s Warmth continues to grow thanks to the loving people in this community. My classmates, especially, have been very supportive and helped me in many aspects when developing Wrapped in God’s Warmth,” Sumner added. “It’s amazing to see a community come together. It’s a huge blessing to help those who are struggling. Students realize not just that there’s a sense of urgency to help those in need, but to also grow in their faith.”

This winter, students and teachers alike donated items and Sumner was able to assemble 105 kits. Each care kit came with a Scripture tag attached from Romans 15:13, which says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” In February, Sumner brought them to St. Vincent de Paul Louisville to distribute to those in need.

“Lily’s work with Wrapped in God’s Warmth is an incredible representation of how our students follow our Mercy Mission,” said Angie Laemmle, Director of Student Life at Mercy Academy. “Through compassion and action, Lily embodies the spirit of our mission. Lily led this drive to support the homeless with such leadership and pride, and through this served our community as she followed the work of our foundress, Catherine McAuley.”

Mercy Academy junior Sydney Grieshaber is very proud of her friend.

“I think it’s really cool that Lily’s taken it upon herself,” Grieshaber said. “I’ve never known anyone else do something like that, especially from a young age. It’s amazing that she realized she had the ability to do something about a problem, not just talk about it.”

Next year, Sumner hopes to involve every local Catholic private school.

Tony Nochim
Source: St. Vincent de Paul Louisville website