Williams was homeless, on drugs and without much hope. But that phone call changed everything. Williams stayed in communication with Gruntmeir, attended court dates, got sober and followed all of OKDHS’s requirements to be reunited with her daughter more than two years later. “She led me to a life without drugs and helped me be the mom I was meant to be,” said Williams, who nominated Gruntmeir. “She is my angel on earth, a true light in so many people’s lives.”
“We wanted to start helping women who are displaced, in shelters or sober houses to bring them hope and share our story.” Cheryl Gruntmeir
GRUNTMEIR WITH FOUR OF HER CHILDREN. BY FOTO ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY
The two women remain close friends years later. Both are incredibly proud of their daughter and foster daughter, today a wife, homeowner and mom herself. But their story doesn’t stop there. The duo felt called to reach other women on the brink. “We wanted to start helping women who are displaced, in shelters or sober houses to bring them hope and share our story,” said Gruntmeir. The Making Jesus Famous Association was born, collecting purses and toiletries to deliver to women across the metro, along with a Bible and an encouraging handwritten note. So far, more than 1,400 people have been served by the nonprofit organization. Women donate gently used purses, plus everything from shoes and nail polish to jewelry and personal hygiene items. When appropriate, Gruntmeir and Williams meet and speak with the women to whom they’re delivering purses. Williams’ and Gruntmeir’s children often help with deliveries to the YWCA, City Rescue Mission and other shelters throughout Oklahoma City. Because her own dad included her in his ministry for the homeless, it’s been important for Gruntmeir to do the same with her children, who range in age from 10 to 23.
CHERYL, RIGHT, WITH BRANDY WILLIAMS DELIVERS PURSES AND TOILETRIES TO WOMEN IN METRO SHELTERS.
builder, Gruntmeir is involved in the day- to-day of the nonprofit but says it’s Williams who runs their Facebook group with more than 700 members, dedicated not only to the ministry of Making Jesus Famous but also providing consistent affirmation and promoting the work of other local nonprofits. As Gruntmeir processed her recognition as an Awesome Mom, she says Williams is the one who deserves the honor. “I look at her and think how far she has come from when I met her to where she is now,” said Gruntmeir. “To see Brandy go from this life of hopelessness without shelter and without a relationship with her child to now giving back and helping other women, it is just the coolest thing.”
“Cheryl led me to a life without drugs and helped me be the mom I was meant to be. She is my angel on earth, a true light in so many people’s lives.” Brandy Williams
“Being able to provide them opportunities to give to others is huge,” said Gruntmeir. A realtor and sales manager for an Edmond
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