In Appreciation of Our Donors

Yesterday afternoon InterServ celebrated its donors by inviting them to an "open house" reception at one of our supporting churches. We had a nice turnout, giving us the opportunity to get to know our partners in mission a little better.

As I talked with one couple about why they give to InterServ, I learned that they give in appreciation of the work that InterServ does to address the basic needs of seniors in our community. They were particularly impressed with our volunteers who go above and beyond the "call of duty". They had an aunt and a mother who both received Mobile Meals while they were still living. The peace of mind this couple got just knowing that their loved ones were cared for and would receive a hot nutritious meal while they had to be away at work each day has left an impression upon them that continues to move them to support InterServ financially.

Many of the people who attended not only donate financially, but they also give their time and talent to assure that the many jobs get done in a loving and caring fashion.

One donor summed it up this way, "we are put on this earth to serve. InterServ gives us a way we can do this."

Thank you to the many people who work together: staff, volunteers, and donors, to help InterServ accomplish its mission: "through the sharing of God's love, we seek out and assist those in need, so all may live their lives more fully and more capably."

Rethinking Church & Putting Love into Action

This weekend, churches in St. Joseph, Missouri are putting their love into action by helping InterServ and Community Missions with projects that will help benefit programs that help people to live their lives more fully and more capably.

On Saturday, United Methodists will gather at the Community Missions campus (Juda House and Haven) and build a storage structure and a shaded area for InterServ and its related organization, Community Missions. Another group of Methodists will bring a sack lunch for those who will be working on the construction projects. Still another group of Methodists will bring truckloads full of paper and hygiene items to be distributed through InterServ and Community Missions. Across town, an ecumenical group of church goers will gather at First Christian church for morning reflections about poverty as part of a "Journey to Justice" experience. Participants will then go to one of eleven different work sites to hear first-hand accounts of how lives have been changed by the agencies working to fight poverty in St. Joseph. Finally, InterServ staff and volunteers will work to move items for a family affected by the recent flooding as another act of sharing God's love with people in need.

On Sunday, still more Methodist church members will help out by replacing house numbers on the homes of some of the people who receive Mobile Meals. At 4:00 p.m. InterServ's Retired and Senior Volunteer Program will honor volunteers with an appreciation event at the Firefighter's Hall on A Highway. Our oldest volunteer is 102 years old and the person with the most lifetime volunteer hours has volunteered over 12,000 hours of service!

I am proud to be part of this wonderful organization and to see how people from faith communities all over the city are putting their love into action - not just this weekend, but every day. God's love is truly amazing.