May 14, 2025

Inspiration behind “Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot,” headlines at Mother’s Day Dinner

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

HOLYOKE – Close to two hundred people gathered at the Log Cabin in Holyoke, Thursday, May 8, for the annual Massachusetts Citizens for Life (MCFL) Mother’s Day Dinner. Baptist Bishop W.C. Martin and his wife Donna, who were the inspiration for the move, “Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot,” were the keynote speakers. The couple, from Bennett Chapel Baptist Church in Possum Trot, Texas, inspired their small community of 700 to adopt 77 children from the foster care system.

The Martins have two biological children and adopted four children from foster care.

“The pro-life message is this story,” said W.C. Martin. “The reason why I say that is because I think it’s time to stop killing children.  If you don’t want them put them up for adoption.”

It was his wife Donna, who first felt called to begin the ministry. At the dinner she explained how she was one of 18 children. She said her mother, only showed love, care and faith, even though she worried about putting food on the table. After her mother passed away in 1997, Donna Martin said she felt called to do something to honor her. Adopting children, who were desperate for a home and stability, was where Jesus led her.

“When the Lord spoke to me. He said give back. I want you to bring these children into your home and give back to these children what was given unto you,” said Donna Martin.

On April 10, the Pro-Life Committee of the Diocese of Springfield held a free screening of the film. Dozens attended the movie.

“When we ask people, especially mothers to think about alternatives, how they can bring life into the world even if they’re not prepared to take care of that life, we need to explain that there are families that want to adopt,” said Father Daniel Pacholec, the director of Pro-Life Activities for the Diocese of Springfield. He also attended the screening of the film.

“And the movie did a beautiful job of telling us how many people are out there and how beautiful it can be to adopt a child,” he said.

Massachusetts Citizens for Life is raising awareness about the need for foster parents in the state and how foster care is a critical component of the pro-life mission.

“We want to communicate the importance of foster parenting because it’s life saving and life changing,” said Myrna Maloney-Flynn, the president of MCFL.

“There are so many children right here in Massachusetts now, while viewers are seeing this, who are not in a home and don’t have a family. All it takes is one person to say, ‘I can do that. I can open my home, I can open my heart,’” she said.

The Martins, who have shared their story on Oprah, the 700 Club, the Today Show, and many other national news outlets, launched the ministry “Saving a Generation Ministry.
To learn more about their story, go to https://www.bishopwcmartin.com/our-story

The “Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot,” was produced by Angel Studios and is available on Amazon.

“God has given us this mandate that we must change the way things are going,” said W.C. Martin. “Let’s get these children out of the foster care system, raise them up, and teach them that Jesus loves them just like he loves the rest of us.”

A video version of this story will be on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS.