VIDEO TRANSCRIPTION

Jay Height:
I am so excited to be able to introduce our newest employee at Shepherd Community. We did a national search to have a spokesbird, and we’re really excited. So I want to introduce to you, Indy. Indy, tell us a little bit about yourself.

Indy:
Oh my goodness. I’m so excited to be here, Pastor Jay. Thank you so much for this awesome opportunity. My name officially is Indigo, but you can just call me Indy. Yeah. Indy the Blue Jay or Indigo the Blue Jay, and I’m so excited to be here. I’m from Southern Indiana, a little community called Twin Branch. It’s a wonderful little place, but this was my first time to be in the big city. It’s going to be so cool. I get to work with all the great kids and faculty and leaders here at Shepherd Community Center. It’s going to be incredible.

Jay Height:
Yeah, we’re excited because you’re going to help our students learn more about some key character qualities and help us say thank you in creative ways. Indy, December has been an incredibly busy month and we’re so thankful. We’ve been able to help all of our kids get new shoes. They all got new coats. Besides the 300 baskets of food we distribute every week, we’ve also been able to pass out special Christmas baskets. All of the students got to take home food totes for them to eat on during Christmas break. Then we had our Christmas store and over a thousand kids got Christmas through Shepherd Community.

Indy:
That’s amazing.

Jay Height:
Indy, these things only happen because of two things. We have volunteers who come and serve and donors who donate. They donate items for our Christmas store. They donate food and we had donors who made it possible to get the coats and the shoes. So they help invest in the lives of our kids, and it’s an investment that’s going to be seen throughout a lifetime. Indy, why don’t you talk to those folks and tell them what you think of all they’re doing for our neighbors.

Indy:
You know what Pastor Jay, that is so impressive. That is so incredible. I know what you guys did through the help of the donors and through the help of all your volunteers will make a lasting impression and a lasting impact on the lives of the kids and families that you serve. That is so, so, so amazing and incredible and wonderful. It made a big difference, I’m sure, for this Christmas season and from the bottom of my heart, I just want to say, thank you. Thank you to all who help, all the volunteers and all the donors. You guys are the best. Awesome.

Jay Height:
As we’re just days away from 2021, what do you see that folks… What message do you want for them?

Indy:
Well, I just want to encourage everyone. I know it’s been a difficult time, but I want you to know that things are going to get better, and just stay the course and everybody do their job and be safe and things are going to get better and 2021 is going to be the best year yet. I believe it. I really do.

Jay Height:
During the winter, a lot of your cousins and friends, they head south, but you’re staying up here. How are you going to weather the cold weather?

Indy:
Well, that’s a great question because I was a little concerned about that. You’re right. Most of my friends and my family, my cousins, we got a little place down on the panhandle of Florida. We usually hang out for the winter and at this time of year it’s nice down there. So I really haven’t done a winter up here. So we’ve worked it out. I’ve got a little cubby hole here in the… What’s the name of this building over here? Yeah. I think it’s like a conference room or something. Yeah. I’ve got a little cubby hole here and I’ve put a little nest in there and I think it’s going to be comfortable. It’s nice and warm and cozy, so I’ll be fine. But I may get a little hungry. I eat acorns and I love crickets. So maybe you guys can help me out with that. Might touch base with a few donors, see what you can work out.

Jay Height:
Yeah, you work for seed and…

Indy:
Yeah, [inaudible 00:04:26].

Jay Height:
… I’m really sorry we forgot to get you a coat, but you may want to make sure you keep your feathers very thick. I am so thankful, Indy, that you’ve joined the team at Shepherd Community. You’re going to be the best spokesbird ever.

Indy:
Absolutely. Positively. I look forward to doing a super job for you guys. Thank you for this opportunity. Yep, yep, yep, yep, yep.

Jay Height:
Well, to all of our friends, all of our donors and volunteers, our partners, thank you. We hope you had a great Christmas and Happy New Year.

Indy:
Happy New Year.