Woodchucks Firewood Ministry

In 1998, the late Dr. John Lipsey and Dr. Bruce Birch began a firewood ministry which flourishes today.  During the first few years, firewood was harvested almost exclusively on John’s farm, located in the Ellet Valley.  The wood was split by hand or with a slow splitter powered by John’s tractor.   The first year, about five loads of wood were delivered.  In subsequent years, a dozen loads were considered a “big deal.” 

Currently, the group delivers nearly 200 loads of wood each winter, some to paying customers but most to needy families referred through Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program, Montgomery County Social Services, or other service agencies.  The group, fondly known as “the Woodchucks,” includes BPC members and other community volunteers, who spend the warm months procuring firewood and the cold months delivering it.

There are a lot of people in the New River Valley who benefit from the Woodchuck ministry. Recently, we sat down with one of them to find out more about his story. Take a look at the life of "John", a Woodchuck client.