Hillsboro students, families give back
Pictured (l-r) are Rhiana, Mylea, Reagan, Austin, Ashton, Ingrid, Zach, Elizabeth, Mason, Addy, Tate, Bell and Scarlett. (Courtesy of Kelly Perkins.)
By Kelly Perkins
On Oct. 28, Hillsboro students and families gathered together to give back to Ingrid Griffith. Ingrid has been blessing the Highland County community since 2019. She has taken sports action photos for various schools, including Hillsboro City Schools, Fairfield Schools, Hillsboro Christian Academy, and Whiteoak High School at no cost. Her intention has been to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus. Taking photos of students has created a way for them to know Jesus through her servant leadership. She gives all of the glory to God.
Ingrid and her spouse, Jeff Griffith, host a teen ministry group out of their family owned Greenhouse – Griffith Gardens – every Sunday from 7-9 p.m. During the summer, other families open their homes to the ministry as well. Through this ministry, they reach our youths in hopes they will “make good choices.”
Recently, Ingrid posted on Facebook that she was having difficulty uploading photos due to the age of her computer. That’s when mothers of athletes from Hillsboro High School stepped in. They reached out to all of the sports teams and asked for cash donations in hopes to replace her computer.
The word spread quickly and they were able to raise a large sum of money. Students of various sports wrote handwritten cards with special thanks and memories. Rent-2-Own in Hillsboro reached out to the mothers spearheading the blessing and informed them they would like to add to the donation. They donated a brand-new Apple computer with all the specs needed for a photographer.
This past Saturday they gathered together at the Hillsboro Lowe’s parking lot and made a parade line to Griffith Gardens to present her gifts. Ingrid was surprised that so many cars pulled into her parking lot just before closing for the season. She was overwhelmed with emotion and caught off guard.
Tears filled the eyes of those surrounding while witnessing her blessing. We are thankful for all she has done for our community by not only providing amazing photos, but loving on our children.
Parents and students of the community stated the following:
“Through her ministry, my daughters have learned to lift others up when they are down.” – Anonymous mother
Michelle Clemons said, “She has loved and encouraged both my boys on and off the field. I love that she shares the word of God with them.”
Senior volleyball and bowling athlete, Bell Perkins, shared, “Ingrid loves everyone even with their faults.”
“Ingrid has encouraged me to become the best person in myself. And she provides a safe place that everyone can trust each other and have a place to talk about anything. A judge- free zone.” – words from Zack Brown
“Ingrid can step in and get teens to talk about some hard subjects that some kids may not feel comfortable enough speaking about to their parents. She's the fun "Aunt" we all know we can be open with when needed.” – Mason Dumpert
Marah Roush, senior cheerleader, swimmer and track athlete, stated, “Ingrid has taught me to have courage to talk about God openly with anyone I interact with.”