UMRC
Newsletter
Charleston District
Volume 7, August 1998
A Word from the Executive Director
Dear Friends of the United Methodist Relief Center,
For those of you who read the story about Julia in the last newsletter, this is the
sequel. Rev. Noble Miller enlisted Charles Firth to superintend the project and recruited
many others to provide the 856 hours of manual labor (in record heat) needed to completely
renovate Julia's home. She is delighted to be able to use her bathroom and can't believe
that she now has central heat and air. She is most appreciative to all who worked so hard
to provide for her urgent needs. She prayed and God answered. On one of my visits to the
work site I had a conversation with Julia and she told me that the worst thing about being
blind was that she could not read her Bible. On a subsequent visit I delivered the Bible
on tape and a tape player and her ecstatic words were "I don't know which is
the best blessing, getting a renewed home or the Bible". God calls, "As you did
it to the least of these my family members.'
The "House of the Helping Hands" (volunteer house) Is operational and over
400 volunteers have used this facility, giving 11,202 hours of dedicated service. Summer
is the busiest time for volunteer efforts and the beds are filled most evenings. Although
the house started the year in the red, generous contributions designated for house
expenses translate to all mortgage payments and utilities being current. We will be very
pleased to give you a tour. Come and see God's blessing for the UMRC for it is truly
"Holy Ground". We ask your continued prayers and support for the house and those
who come to serve.
Another exciting project is underway, ET (elderly transportable) housing. Frequently,
we have requests to assist elderly persons with critical housing needs. Transportable
homes to accommodate these needs have been designed by an architect and engineer. Homes
will be constructed in church parking lots and moved to the elderly person's place of
residence for as long as necessary. UMRC shall retain ownership and there will be no
charge to the occupant. UMRC will partner with Meals on Wheels to ascertain needs. Funding
for the pilot project has been secured and Wesley United Methodist Church will construct
the first home. This project is expected to increase the number of elderly person we are
able to assist.
There are several articles in this newsletter pertaining to fundraising. Please
prayerfully consider how you and your church can assist. Funding is necessary to continue
to serve those in desperate need of housing. Will you be part of the mission team?
In His name,
Pat Goss
If I had a Volunteer work Team...
Too much work and not enough teams. That was the dilemma facing the Relief Center the
third week of July. Although we had a great team visiting from Maryland and the wonderful
assistance from the Americore Volunteers, the UMRC had more projects than hands to
complete them. Pat and Burrel brainstormed over the weekend for an answer to this problem
and could come up with no solution except to leave the problem with God through prayer.
Low and behold, a message on the answering machine Monday morning announced that a
group of 19 volunteers from Illinois was in the area with tools and a willing spirit and
did we have anything for them to do! By that afternoon half of the group was roofing a
house and the other half was painting the exterior of a home. Once again, God provides for
our needs.
BELK CHARITY SHOPPING DAY
TO BENEFIT RELIEF CENTER
Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 22nd and plan to shop till you
drop at any area Belk. Just purchase a $3.00 coupon from a UMRC representative before the
big day or from the UMRC display at each store on the 22nd. You will receive two 25% off
coupons and the Relief Center receives the $3.00 donation plus an additional dollar when
the coupon is entered for special drawings. This is a fantastic opportunity for the Relief
Center and also a great way to get a head start on your Christmas shopping. The
organization that sells the most tickets will also receive a $1,000 bonus. If you would
like to purchase your tickets or would like to help us by selling to friends and family,
call the Relief Center at 884-4860 for more information.
New Faces at the UMRC
The Relief Center bid a fond farewell to work team supervisor, plumber, and all around
nice guy when Bruce Williamson left the UMRC leadership team to supervise construction of
his own home and to be "Mr. Mom" to newly adopted daughter Cassie.
Burrel Boatwright, a past volunteer at the Relief Center, has stepped into Bruce's
shoes and now is working with Clarence to supervise the teams. Burrel is retired from the
Navy and has a background in construction and electrical work. He may have a few things to
say about the UMRC new employee training, though. Burrel's first week on the job the
temperature hovered around 100 and the second week there were nearly 65 volunteers working
on four job sites. Nothing like learning on the job!
Gloria Squires, part-time bookkeeper at the Relief Center for the past five months will
also be coming on board full time beginning August 15th. Her organizational skills and her
calm demeanor will add a bit of order in our sometime chaotic office and will be a
welcomed addition to the UMRC staff!
House-Warming Present!
Residents of Isle of Palms witnessed a "moving" site on July 10. A front
beach cottage was moved off the island, down Rifle Range Rd. and onto the lot of a family
of four. The house was raised eight feet to accommodate flood plain regulations and new
steps were built. Luckily, the wonderful front and back porches could also be moved which
nearly doubled the square footage of the home.
The house and the funds to move it were donated to the Relief Center by the Hofer
family and because of one family's generosity another family will have a warmer and more
secure place to live.
What's up...
- 503 volunteers have worked 21,369 hours with the UMRC since January of this year.
- 3 new houses and 7 rehabs are under construction at this time.
- Lora McQueen held an advocacy training workshop for 12 advocates and 3 new volunteers
and is looking for several more interested people to become "Helping Hand' advocates.
- A motor home was recently donated to the UMRC to use as emergency housing for clients
who are displaced while their home is being repaired. The 1970's version of the Partridge
Family Bus has been affectionately dubbed the "Flower Power Mobile".
UMRC "DROPS" the BALL
The date has been set and the course has been reserved for the fourth annual UMRC
Benefit Golf Tournament. Plan on organizing a foursome or register by yourself and join
the Relief Center on October 26th at the Charleston National Country Club Golf Course for
an afternoon of golf, food and festivities.
A new addition to the event will be a golf ball drop that will culminate in a
helicopter hovering over the golf course driving range and dropping 1,000 numbered golf
balls - each one having been "purchased" for $5.00. The owner of the ball
landing closest to the target will receive a travel package for two. This type of event
has been held successfully in both San Diego and Virginia and could generate an additional
$5,000.00 for the Relief Center's efforts to help others. This event allows those who are
not avid golfers to participate in a worthwhile cause.
"Hole" sponsorships are also available for businesses wishing to show their
support of the Relief Center. Sponsors participating will receive publicity the day of the
benefit as well as in flyers and in ads placed in the local newspapers.
COUNT ME IN...
Golf / Person - $65.00 (includes cart, fees and lunch)
Hole Sponsorship - $100.00 (includes sign to be placed at hole)
Golf Ball Drop - $5.00/Ball (numbered receipts will be sent to you)
Contact the UMRC at 843-884-4860 if you would like to participate in this event.
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