Thanks for Angel Tree angels
On behalf of the Pea Ridge Ministerial Alliance, thank you to the many people who helped make this year’s Angel Tree the most successful ever. This year we had a record breaking number of children in families who were recipients of this community’s generosity. I am fortunate enough to be on the side of Angel Tree where I get to see the families actually receive their gifts and I want to share with you how much you are appreciated.
All of the “thank yous” and “Merry Christmas’” are for all of you and I want to pass these good tidings along.
To make Angel Tree such a huge success, it takes many people working together. I know leaving someone out is certainly going to happen, and if that person is you, I apologize beforehand.
◊Lora Bliss and Tosha Moll, the administrative assistants at First Baptist Church, who kept me (and others) organized during this month-long endeavor.
They took applications, checked on residency, scanned each application and sent it to me via e-mail.Without them, Angel Tree would not have happened.
◊Pea Ridge Schools and administrators, Keith Martin and Sarah Stokes, who coordinated food drives in their schools, and Sue Terry, principal of the Middle School.
◊Parents who sent food with their kids to school during the food drives, thank you! You are teaching them a valuable lesson in serving.
◊Wendy Martin, the “Great Solicitor” of Angels getting them to various people within the school system and throughout the community.
◊Courtney Hurst and her “Angels,” the Middle School Student Council, for boxing all the food AND going shopping for angels.
◊Mike and Jeannie, the custodians at the Middle School helped me move food, worked around my mess, adopted numerous angels themselves, and are two of the biggest supporters of Angel Tree.
◊Michelle Nesbitt and Gail Simpkins, who are not only the backbone of the school office, but are the conduit to so many good things in Pea Ridge.
◊Fellow faculty members who adopted so many kids,often behind the scenes, not wanting any attention brought to yourselves. You are amazing!
◊Community First Bank, thank you for allowing the Ministerial Alliance to place a tree in your facility.
◊Arvest Bank and all of its employees, you work hard to make Angel Tree a success, by promoting it, selling it, bugging me about getting more angels to you (I really appreciate this), and working even after hours to deliver presents, money, angels, etc., and getting them where they need to be.
◊Kim Brown, again, you amaze me by your organizing skills! Thank you for not only being there for Arvest, but for me personally as well.
◊City of Pea Ridge offices, who graciously allows their facilities as a drop off point for gifts. I know this is a huge inconvenience for you, but without you, I do not know what the Ministerial Alliance would do.
◊Ministers of the Alliance, thank you for being the hands and feet of this ministry. You came to my classroom many times for clarification, delivered food and presents, were there to box food and distributegifts, and make the angel cards.
◊Congregations (including mine) who adopted angels, let us use your facilities, and were also present to help box and distribute gifts.
◊Patsy Hurd, who kept me organized during gift distribution. Without you I would have really messed things up.
◊The entire Pea Ridge community for taking part in this endeavor.
There were approximately 110 angels this year, the most we ever had, and once again you came to the rescue, and did it joyfully.
I cannot remember being in so much trouble for not getting Angels out fast enough and yet you were ready for more. This is a direct reflection on how much all of you care and reflects what a great community we live in. It is my prayer that God blesses you a hundred fold, so that you will have even more opportunities to serve, because it is in the giving that we receive true hope, joy, peace and love.
JOHN GIBSON PEA RIDGE MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE Pea Ridge, Ark.
Opinion, Pages 4 on 01/25/2012