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Judy Jacobs Christmas in October
PEMBROKE — Judy Jacobs is on a mission.
As co-founder of the international Clothe the World Foundation, she wants to bring awareness to the calamity of poverty throughout the world and improve the self-esteem of the impoverished by distributing needed items while also highlighting Christian principles through ministry and song.
One of her first stops was back home.
Jacobs, a Robeson County native, was in Pembroke on Saturday for Christmas in October, which was held on the football field at Pembroke Middle School. With the help of several local entities, 500 boxes of clothing were distributed to children across Robeson County.
"This is our first time in Robeson County. But I grew up in Lumberton," said Jacobs, who now resides in Tennessee. "There is a lot of poverty here. It brings me sheer joy to be a part of this event and to help these children."
The 500 children were selected by the Public Schools of Robeson County, Robeson County Health Department and the Pembroke Housing Authority.
Jacobs, a minister, co-founded the Clothe the World Foundation with Dr. Scott Moore, a United Nations ambassador and a minister, in June of this year. The for-profit foundation distributes clothing around the world through nonprofit organizations. So far the organization has distributed clothing in more than 15 countries.
"We just returned from an orphanage in Honduras. We are negotiating with officials in Africa," Jacobs said. "The poverty is bad here. But when you go overseas, it's much worse. We're blessed to be in the States."
The event was spearheaded by Jacobs' niece, Alisia Oxendine, who is director of Collegiate Funding at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She said that Jacobs, who grew up "very poor," left the county nearly 20 years ago. Oxendine said Jacobs had "the desire and the ambition to represent her faith" and used that ambition to start her ministry in 1989.
Since then, Jacobs has taken her ministry across the country and around the world. Jacobs has recorded several gospel albums and authored several books. Recently, her sermons began airing on television on three Christian networks.
"But she never forgot where she came from," Oxendine said.
While rain threatened overhead, Jacobs led the crowd in jubilant song before introducing Santa Claus to the crowd. As Christmas music began to play over the speakers, Jacobs and volunteers handed out gift-wrapped boxes to hundreds of children. The children had often walked just a couple of feet away after receiving their box before ripping into them.
While families waited patiently for their turn, they were able to enjoy free hot dogs, barbecue, popcorn and soda.
Oxendine, who was the events coordinator, said the community really pulled together when she asked for help.
 Oxendine said that she was impressed with the county's leaders and their attendance at the event. Among those in attendance were Jimmy Goins, chairman of The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, schools Superintendent Johnny Hunt, county Commissioner Noah Woods, Judge Jeff Moore(pictured right) and state Rep. Ronnie Sutton. She thanked the Lumbee Tribe staff for help wrapping the boxes.
"This is one of the good things happening in Robeson County," Oxendine said. "The wonderful thing about this county is that we have alliances with each other. I think that needs to be recognized."
Jacobs' ministry, His Song, The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, Carolina Hearts, and Caring Touch Home Health were among those helping fund the event. International Paper donated the boxes while Clothe the World provided the clothing.
Oxendine hopes to make Christmas in October a yearly event.
Robesonian Story -By Stephanie S. Beecher
Special Thanks To
Lumbee Tribe Department of Vehicular & Homicide Death Prevention Program
Caring touch
International Paper(providing the boxes for the gifts)
Pembroke Housing Authority
Robeson HealthCare Corporation
Lumbee Boys & Girls Clubs and Youth Services
Lumbee Tribe Teen Tobacco Prevention & Cessation Program
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