He survived a crash to offer Open Arms, this Valley man says

BOARDMAN

When Wayne Murray was 3 years old, he survived a car accident that killed his family.

In answer to why, he believes he was destined to start Open Arms Community Outreach. “I was called to this ministry,” he said. “I was called to do this,” he said of “helping the homeless and working poor.”

And if you ask him why he founded it, he’ll reply with ... “do you want to hear the story?”

He’ll tell how he and his wife, Angie, co-founder, saw a documentary on a similar project in California. It moved the couple to start the outreach. “We had the conversation June 12, 2012,” Angie Murray said.

Three weeks later, the Murrays and other volunteers set up tables in the parking lot across from the St. Vincent de Paul Society dining hall, 208 W. Front St., on a Saturday morning when breakfast is served. Now, at 12:30 p.m. the first, third and fifth Saturdays of the month at that location, Open Arms sets up its tables, which offer clothing and sack lunches. Personal-care items are distributed the third Saturdays.

During inclement weather, Brian Antal, president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, invites Open Arms to set up in the dining hall.

“The people are friends in need,” Wayne Murray said of the homeless and others who seek out items from Open Arms. At the Saturday setups, the Murrays said as many as 100 people have stopped by.

Wayne Murray said Open Arms is supported entirely through donations of items and money from individuals, churches and community groups.

Read more about the mission and how you can help in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.