Deb Hawley (from St. Francis Prayer Center, here with Club President Bill Reaves)
spoke to us about the Center, where she is Director, and recent political activism, developments and status of the Center and its neighborhood. An asphalt plant, controversial and disliked by many neighborhood residents, has been built near to the Center, but Deb focused on the unifying impact and energized attention and support for the Center’s neighbors. She told of increased expenses and workload associated with the Center’s mission work to feed and help furnish the surrounding needy folk. The Center furnished beds (new or used, as available) and bedding to area youth, “85% of which have been sleeping on the floor”, and approximately $4,000 in food (from the Food Bank and donations) is passed out every week. Donations are the largest source of financial support for the organization, which also has a major fundraiser coming up: for $100 donation, 2 people can have tickets to what has been described as “a great party” to be held at Flint Farmers’ Market on September 23rd. In addition, Deb now boasts “a grant-writer” on her Board and there is official recognition of the Center by the Community Foundation. Area business leaders have donated warehouse space, donation support, and vehicles to St. Francis Prayer Center to help them in the work, but the organization is always looking for volunteers to assist: right now, Deb says that they could use drivers to deliver beds and mattresses to the 100-family backlog. (Can you spare 3-4 hours a week?) Deb says that the Center serves “thousands” every year and distributes about 650 beds per year. In addition to the service component, the Center is on beautifully maintained grounds that are available for retreats, reflection, training seminars, and other similar ventures.
Fifteen members and 1 guest (Jack Medemar‘s father-in-law) listened as Bill Hentgen announced Sloan Museum’s “Night at the Museum” fundraiser, and next week’s Charity Poker fundraiser at Eagles’ hall on Bristol Road. Steve Schlott invited us to participate in the Sleep in Heavenly Peace Build Day on Saturday, September 9 at Flushing Presbyterian Church. (Click here for video.) Treasurer Jeff Dennings talked about upcoming invoices and next year’s finances. Cindy Sullivan reminded us of our commitment to support Flushing’s HarvestFest on October 7.
After frivolous fines, the “50/50 Progressive Pot” ticket was drawn, but Cindy Sullivan, who held the ticket, did not get any extra spending money for her Cruise vacation, and the pot is now over $1000.
Until next time, “Promise Yourself…”