HSU Donates 150 Beds to Those in Need

On March 8, 2023, a semi-truck from Texas Baptist Men (TBM) pulled up to the campus of Hardin-Simmons University. TBM did not come to Abilene for disaster relief, as they are famously known for, but to receive a donation of 150 mattresses from the university. When HSU noticed an abundance of mattresses in storage, Eric Bruntmyer, President of HSU, said he “reached out to the BGCT for help, and they directed me to TBM.” 

The beds were donated to a church in Del Rio, near the border of Texas and Mexico.  

“God loves the people of Del Rio and those crossing the border,” Bruntmyer said. “They had a need for good beds to sleep on, and God blessed us with an overabundance. God had a plan and a place for the beds, and we partnered with TBM and local churches to be the conduit God used to bless the people he loves with good sleep!” 

Filemon Ortiz ’66, a current Board of Trustee, was also involved in getting the beds to those in need. 

“HSU had some beds left over from an old dorm, and they had TBM deliver them to the church in Del Rio. We gave them [the beds] out first come, first serve,” Ortiz explained. 

Ortiz mentioned that many who received the beds live in low-income households, often with children. 

Bruntmyer added,

Throughout the history of HSU, we’ve always been active in loving God by loving others. Whether in Abilene, Texas or around the globe, Christ’s love for us allows us to be His hands and feet to our brothers and sisters!

“It had a great impact and was greatly needed,” Ortiz said. “People needed them. It was a tremendous blessing for those people. People from all walks of life came to the church. Even community members said they would like to come (to the church) because they saw us there.”