Miracles, Not Magic: A New Year’s Message from The Filling Station
In this special New Year’s episode of The Filling Station Podcast, host Mary Ann LeRay reflects on the close of 2025 and looks ahead to what’s coming in 2026 for The Filling Station and the Jones County community.
Mary Ann shares a powerful recap of November and December 2025 — a season that saw the food pantry serve more than 1,658 households while volunteers contributed 956 hours of service in just six weeks. From food assistance to leadership development, amateur radio education, holiday outreach, and nutrition programs, the episode highlights the breadth of work happening every day behind the scenes.
Throughout the message, Mary Ann addresses a question she’s often asked: “How do you do it all?” Her answer is clear — it isn’t magic. It’s miracles, fueled by perseverance, partnerships, and a volunteer family committed to a mindset of service above self. She shares a heartfelt testimonial from a pantry client whose Christmas meal was made possible through the generosity of donors and volunteers, offering a tangible reminder of why the work matters.
The episode also introduces what’s ahead in 2026, including:
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The first-ever Leadership Jones Spring Conference
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Continued participation in the Neuse River Bridge Run
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The launch of the “Leave the Legacy” brick campaign
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Ongoing efforts to find and fill needs across Jones County
This episode serves as both a celebration of impact and a call forward — inviting listeners, volunteers, and partners to continue building something meaningful together in the year ahead.
