United Church Ministries makes its annual report, honors donors, volunteers
By From staff reports
Published in News on February 7, 2012 1:46 PM
United Church Ministries held its 28th annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet on Jan. 20 at Salem United Methodist Church. Chairman Pat Stokes welcome the group and the Rev. Sandy Schaller of Salem UMC gave the invocation.
The men of the church prepared the meal with help from the women of the church.
A memorial service was held for Martin Casey, who had been a dedicated volunteer since before the organization was formed in 1983. He served as the building chairman and spearheaded the renovation of an old shoe store downtown to make the building ready to use to serve the needy.
Secretary-treasurer Elaine Lamm gave the 2011 financial report.
Member churches donated $29,284.13. The annual Walk for Hunger raised $14,919.77. Other donations brought receipts to $59,488.18. The Benevolent Fund, which is used to help the needy, received $55,500. The balance on hand on Dec. 31, 2011 was $25,948.58.
The activity report was given by Mary Fail, director at the center. Vouchers were given for rent, electricity, medical bills, water and heating fuel in the amount of $51,555.32. Bags of food given amounted to 312, which helped 409 people. More than 1,300 people benefited from the aid.
Awards were presented for the annual Walk for Hunger, with Stoney Creek Free Will Baptist raising the most money, $2,685.25. Northview Baptist generated the most money per member, $23.30. Ginny Simpson of Salem United Methodist, accepted the Youth Award for raising $1,031.32. Joyce Edwards of Madison Avenue Baptist, earned $1,520. Lee Lamb of Salem United Methodist, completed the course in 36.5 minutes. Two walkers tied for first in completing the walk: Meg Kidd of Stoney Creek Free Will Baptist and Barbara West of St. Luke United Methodist came finished in 59 minutes.
Twenty volunteers received certification for the number of hours they contributed during the year. The total number of hours volunteered totaled 2,002.5 hours. Plaques were given to the top three volunteers at the center: Ann Langston of Harvest Baptist, with 271.5 hours, Gloria Best of Greenleaf Christian with 156 hours and Jean Carson of Love Memorial Baptist with 150 hours.
Mary Lou Jones of Salem United Methodist was named Volunteer of the Year.
The officers for 2012 are: Pat Stokes of First African Baptist, chairman; Lou Kearney of Stoney Creek Free Will Baptist as vice chairman and Elaine Lamm of St. Luke United Methodist as secretary-treasurer.
Terry Johnson, chairman of the walk committee, announced that plans for this year's walk are incomplete but that it is set for Sunday, March 25, with Sunday, April 1, as the rain date.
Mary Fail gave the benediction.