Mark your calendars for the Belk Charity Day Fundraising event on Tuesday, March 21 at the NEW Citadel Mall Belk store.  Last year's event was extremely successful; especially considering it was our first time to participate. Over $4,300.00 was raised through ticket sales and Belk's matching contribution was $900.00, bringing the total for our first endeavor to $5,300.00! These funds are especially important because there is no restriction on their use.

Tickets purchased can be redeemed for two 20% off coupons to be used on most anything in the store, including already reduced merchandise. The tickets also enable you to register for some great door prizes. Charity bay marks the first day that the new Belk store will be open to the public; not only can you support the Relief Center but you get a sneak peek at the new store.

This is one event that every supporter of the Relief Center can participate in with very little time investment.  The $3.00 proceeds from each ticket sold goes straight to the Relief Center so there is 100% profit for the donation. In addition, for each ticket that is taken to Belk on Charity bay and redeemed for the discount coupons, Belk will donate $1.00 to the Relief Center.   The top three charities in ticket sales receive bonuses between $500.00 and $1,000.00! 

A Break From Others

Imagine giving up a Spring Break trip to the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans or a visit to Disney World in order to spend a week tearing down and replacing a roof in the Strawberry Community near Goose Creek, SC. A group of young adults from the University of Detroit-Mercy in Michigan have opted for this "Alternative Spring Break, (ABS)" some or them for the second year in a row.

"Last year was the best spring break I ever had," Jeff, an architecture student, said about this work with the UMRC. His initial thought was that he would learn some helpful information about building. "I followed Clarence around a lot last year," he said.    What surprised him, however, was the degree of closeness, which developed among members of the work team.

Others agree. In addition to the sense of accomplishment OT doing something they have never done before, a sense of community develops among the work team. "Last year, I knew 2 people at the beginning of the week," Chrissy said. "By the end of the week we had all these shared stories and jokes. We had this bond that went above and beyond my expectations." Jeff even made a CD for the group, which included photos and songs from the week.

Feelings of accomplishment were an important part of the experience for Chrissy, Brenda and Melissa who had never been on a roof prior to their UMRC experiences last year. This year Chrissy was able to get on the roof the first day. In addition, she and Brenda hauled 50 Ib. bundles of shingles up the ladder and onto the roof. Brenda has participated in the ASB program with her school for five years, but her work with the Relief Center was the first experience that included manual labor.

Campus Minister Sister Beth Finster has coordinated ASB opportunities for the university's students for 10 years; she made a special trip to be with the students at the Relief Center this year.   "I almost impressed by the work that's done here by the Relief Center," she said. "I just had to come down and be with them for just a part of it."

 by Kathy James 

BI-LO Boosters

Our first BI-LO fundraising check has arrived and the 54 supporters who enrolled have raised $97.00 for the Relief Center. Imagine what we could do if every supporter registered with BI-LO.

1.     Supporters  can  sign  up  by  calling   1-877-426-6783,  toll-free,  or  through  the  Internet   at www.BI-LO.com. When you enroll, you will be asked for your BONUSCARD number, the first three digits of your last name, and our organization number: 2483.  Please sign up NOW to have your purchases eligible for BI-LO Booster donations at the beginning of March.

2. Each time you shop at BI-LO and use your BONUSCARD, the amount spent will be credited to the UMRC's account.

3. BI-LO will donate a percentage of the total purchases accumulated by the UMRC.

Good News From Lieber

All too often, we hear only bad news from our prisons. However, at Lieber Correctional Institution in Ridgeville, SC, positive things are happening.   The Vocational Training Center at Lieber has completed construction of an Elderly Transportable (ET) Home and it will soon be moved to the property of an 84 year old woman living in McClellanville, SC.

Lieber provides the labor as well as excellent vocational instructors who supervise and train the inmates; the UMRC provides the plans, specifications and materials for construction of the ET Homes. Over forty inmates have received construction training while working on this project. This is truly a win-win situation. ET Homes benefit some of the most needy members of our community - very low-income elderly. Inmates at Lieber get "on -the-job" training providing quality labor that will help them obtain a future far different from their past. The warden has stated," This is the type of vocational program the South Carolina Department of Corrections is looking for to help reduce the rate of recidivism."

The benefits go far beyond the training and housing that is provided. In our visits to the institution, we see excitement in the eyes of the men working on the El Homes. The program provides inmates with the opportunity to do something constructive while they are "doing time." In addition, many of the inmates are eager for an opportunity to help someone in need.

One of the older inmates at Lieber, who is an expert carpenter, has battled cancer for many years. He was very close to death several years ago and then made a recovery. He says, "Now I Know why the Lord did not take me home when I was so sick. He left me here to help these younger guys so that they can get a job when they get out of here."

Matthew 4:16 says, "The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death, light has dawned."  God has found a way for inmates who find themselves in dark circumstances to help the elderly who are in great need. By the grace of God, the UMRC and Lieber Correctional Institution are making a difference in our community, rebuilding homes and lives.

The volunteer house dubbed "House of the Helping Hands" has recently been the recipient of a helping hand itself.  The quarters for our volunteer work teams have two new additions near completion to boast about.  This past winter Rev. Devon Ruth, with help from his congregation from the Winnsboro United Methodist Church doubled the size of the meeting/living area and added an adjoining outdoor deck.  The new addition has greatly expanded the space available for exhausted volunteer's to kick back and relax or hold their morning or evening devotions. Thus far the new facilities have been utilized for an EMMAUS preview weekend.  This spiritual community was comfortably accommodated as they worked to build Christian leaders and develop a sense of teamwork.

In the near future the former Boy Scout meeting house from the Isle of the Palms United Methodist Church will be moved to its new home on the volunteer grounds.   The meeting house will become the permanent storage facility for building materials used by the UMRC.   In addition, the UMRC and the Catholic charity organization St. Vincent de Paul have been working in partnership to provide home furnishings to those in need. Donations will also be kept in our new storage facility, which will allow us to handle a greater volume of donations to meet the high demand for our assistance.

As we gear up for what promises to be a record-breaking Spring andSummer 2000 at the United Methodist Relief Center, it is a real comfort to know we are continuing to grow to meet the needs of our clients and volunteers.

by David Wamback

  Fundraising Flashes...