Saturday's Internet Edition, May 17, 2008.
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Jim Newman, staff coordinator for Crisis Ministry, is hoping the community will support the ministry for its only fundraiser of the year — the second annual Sweetheart Gala on Feb. 9. Presented by the Crisis Ministry Theatrical Workshop, the event will be held in Vance Auditorium at American’s Children Home in Lexington.
On a very tight budget, Crisis Ministry reaches out to the needy in more ways than one. Until recently, the ministry had the only homeless shelter in Davidson County, as Thomasville recently jump started a shelter.
Aside from the homeless shelter, the ministry has a huge pantry that supplies groceries to families in crisis, delivers food to senior citizens who can’t leave home, provides help with rent and electric bills and helps with medical expenses. The ministry also makes referrals for psychiatric care and alcohol and drug rehabilitations, as well as hosting Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
“I think some people get a misunderstanding that we are some type of government agency,” Newman said. “It’s not like that. We’re a ministry. We are funded through individual contributions and churches.”
Crisis Ministry has two homeless shelters, one that provides shelter for families, and the other is a adult shelter for men and women.
“We just finished our year-end statistics,” said Gayle Whitehead, executive director for Crisis Ministry. “In 2007 we just had 2,671 more people at our shelter than in 2006. Our homeless [population] is not going away. It’s just getting worse.”
The charity event will provide an elegant evening of fine dining and has the theme of “Music from the Heart.” Local artists, who are expected to perform, are the LeBeaus, One Heart and Susan Starr. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and the show will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the American’s Children’s Home, Crisis Ministry, Choice Jewelry, Oakley’s Book and Gifts in Lexington and Avis’ Fine Jewelry in Thomasville and area churches.
Dinner and show ill be $25 per plate, with show only tickets for $10 in advance or at the door. Door prizes will be courtesy of Avis Fine Jewelry and Choice Jewelry. All proceeds are tax deductible and will benefit Crisis Ministry.
“It’s a whole lot more than a homeless shelter,” Newman said. “I think that justifies people spending $25 per plate.”
For more information, contact Crisis Ministry at 248-6684.
Staff Writer Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 231, or ignasiak@tvilletimes.com.