Laughing and reflecting, Jana Hutzler , Project HELP Program Director, said,“My feet hurt…but my heart is very very full!!! ”
Project HELP, a partnership between FWCC and Living Well Foundation, along with 36 volunteers invested in the lives of Lenwil, Riser and Riverbend Elementarys 5th grade students. Celebrating who they are and whose they are, while pouring into them life skills, encouragement and vision to begin preparing them for the challenges of middle school.
Goodness and riches of relationship have been poured out on some of “the least of these” in our community through Pretty ‘n Pink and B.L.A.S.T. these past few weeks. Only God could open up school campuses, provide the funding and the laborors…
6 week-long events, 3 campuses, 150 students , 8 hours of mentoring & life skills…all well-seasoned with the love of Jesus, hope and a future… 45 dads participated…
Topics for the girls included: Beauty from within, Etiquette, The Power of Words. Each young lady made a word collage reflecting the uniqueness created within her. The young men learned teamwork through rope tying and knot tricks, Respect and Courage provided by WMPD, Importance of taking care of things/ Mechanics and Knowing where you are going through compass reading and our True North Star.
Presenter, speakers and teachers included Paula Gates, Paula Gooden, Esther Townsend, Malori Moody, Kathy Danna, Amanda McKastle, Cheryl Wicker, Richard Gates, Todd Sherwin, CJ Beck, Richard Gardner, Michael Wood, JJ Sailia.
United Home Care catered all 3 BLAST cook outs.
Hutzler,said, “… it could not have been done without the 200+ volunteer hours contributed, and she gratefully quoted Paul in Philippians 1: 3-5 … “I thank my God every time I remember you. I always pray with joy because of your partnership ….”
In addition, Jana thanked the FWCC/Project HELP team – Norma Wilson, Kathy Danna, Beth Vetrono, Marsha McGee, Dennis Little, Emily Jones, Shawn Downhour, Ginny Hixon, and Suzonne Whedbee
FirstWest Ministries that contributed to the events were:
Local Ministries – Richard Gates took the lead with B.L.A.S.T, speakers, prep and set up/clean up;
Building Services-for OFF-Site set-up – allowing teachers, administration janitorial staff and the whole campus to witness the value we place on these children, their campuses and neighborhoods -THIS WAS HUGE!!! Worship Ministries – Harrie McCollough for all tech set-up & support and CDs for the girls; Kitchen Staff for letting us prep and store food; Finance, Outreach, Women’s Ministries - serving & greeting; donations; All the Ministers that hung out with the young men and dad’s; Children’s Ministry for sharing scissors, helium and Daddy Daughter for sharing silver boxes; Volunteer Central – Alivia Roberts for recruiting volunteers for food prep.
A special thanks to the school administration and Building Services who were gracious hosts!
Again, “I thank God for you…I pray with joy for our partnership”
Jana
