ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — A few hundred feet from a modern toll road, but on a gravel road nonetheless, sits what could easily be called an "old country church," though old might be a bit of a stretch.

Peace Lutheran Church meets in a small sanctuary on that country road in a small building that probably barely contains its 50 or so members. An newer church in is the works just west of the current building.

And while the current building is not old by historical standards, what this country church is doing is just good, old-fashioned community service. Saturday, this church of about 50 members was holding its third annual Family Day, with back-to-school aid for children and drew almost 800 people. Organizers haven't been able to make a final tally.

"I think we had about 800," said event founder, Betty Ingram. "That's just a guess, though. My phone's been ringing off the hook, people still needing uniforms. We ran out of shirts and went and got one more batch of shirts. Ran out of those and we went up to Hanes at the outlet mall and got another big batch and gave all those away."

The idea came about during a church meeting more than three years ago.

"There's a sign as you go out that says 'Love God, Love One Another,'" Ingram said. "Well, we decided that we needed to love our neighbor outside our church. Our job is to help one another. A lot of churches do things for their own congregation, but we wanted to do something significant for anybody who needed it."

And Family Day was born. Saturday morning the little country church was pressed for parking as folks flocked to get school uniforms and supplies and enjoy a carnival atmosphere. Cars were in the grass along both sids of the gravel road and filling every available spot behind the new church building as well.

"I have to take the blame," Ingram said. "Our church council was meeting and we were talking about what our mission is, what our church is all about. This is our third year.

"At that time, the economy was going down so we decided that we would have a day — every child in Baldwin County needs school uniforms, so we collected school uniforms. We had three schools that really helped us, Gulf Shores Elementary, Orange Beach Elementary and Magnolia School. We put boxes out and we collected used clothes. We bought some used clothing. And the first year that's what we had, all used clothing, the treasure shop and we had about 300 people."

After a successful first year, the small church began making plans for a repeat performance.

"So then we decided 'this looks like we're really doing God's work.' So we did it again," Ingram said. "Last year we had the oil spill and we had a lot of people with a lot of problems. So we did it again.

"About that time, Project Rebound got some grants from the state of Alabama from BP money and they gave us some money. So for the first time, we had some money. South Baldwin Regional Medical Center provided the water slide. They've done it all three years. We've tried to get businesses to sponsor it, support it, but it's tough times for them, too."

That year, 400 people showed up for Family day. Saturday people were everywhere. Lined up for free food, waiting for numbers to be called for the clothes shop, enjoying the water slide, relaxing in chairs in the shade or dunking Pastor Michael R. Bonham.

"I believe we already have more than that," Ingram said Saturday. "Three sets of uniforms per child. Plus we have all these school supplies, one bag per child. We have a treasure shop out here and each can have a toy. We've got furniture, pots, pans, dishes and we give those away according to need."

A lunch of chicken tenders, pulled pork and sandwiches was provided and cooked by church member Mark Folic XXXXX, a part owner of Calypso Joe's in Orange Beach.

Monday morning Ingram was trying to get a final total number, but the phone calls kept coming.

"I'm still worn out," she said.

For more information on Family Day or Peace Lutheran, call 251-974-2545 or send email to pastorbohham@peacelutheranal.org or bingram@centurytel.net.