EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. — After 25 years away from her hometown and working to overcome addiction, Jennifer “Jenny” Lampton and her significant other, Ryan Rasdall, have begun giving back to the community by leaving donations of warm clothing for those in need on the Highway 10 bridge.
Jenny says she was inspired by other residents who left scarves, hats, mittens, and coats on the bridge a few years ago. Jenny and Ryan have taken it upon themselves to jumpstart the annual winter tradition. Their goal, Jenny said, is to remind everyone that “help is out there, even in the darkest of times.”
Jenny, who grew up in Excelsior Springs, recalls attending Westview Elementary and Lewis Middle School and cheering for East and West High School sports teams. As a senior, she worked at the Elms Hotel, where she later met and married her now ex-husband, eventually moving with him to North Carolina. It was there, she said, that she began her struggle with alcoholism.
Her journey eventually led her back to Excelsior Springs and onto a path of recovery. Now, with a sense of purpose, Jenny feels inspired to help others. Although other programs in town, such as the Good Samaritan Center and Meet the Need, provide critical support, she felt a personal call to contribute through direct acts of kindness. She began leaving items from her own collection, including coats, hats, scarves, gloves, shirts, and sweaters.
She said walking the bridge and “seeing three pairs of socks” left by others serves as a powerful reminder that people care. Donating has become a way to work toward “becoming a better person” and spreading hope to those who may feel alone or overlooked.
For Ryan, leaving items on the bridge “not only helps others” but also brings him joy. “It makes me feel good,” he said, “knowing I might make someone else smile.”
In addition to Jenny and Ryan’s acts of kindness, Excelsior Springs also offers support through organizations like the Good Samaritan Center and Meet the Need. The Good Samaritan Center provides emergency assistance, a food pantry open three days a week, senior services, and classes such as Northland Dependency Parole & Probation Services. Meet the Need offers a work assistance program, crisis care, household setup, and community events like a Christmas store for parents in need. Both organizations strive to offer essential resources and a helping hand to residents facing hardship.
As for Jenny and Ryan, they plan to continue their mission of donating items on the Highway 10 bridge, hoping to bring comfort to others in difficult times. “I understand when a person is drowning and just needs anything to feel loved, seen, and valued,” Jenny said.
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