Rowan Helping Ministries recently celebrated 240 volunteers at its annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet held at First United Methodist Church of China Grove. Volunteers with one year of service to more than 20 years were honored at the March 19 event.
Organizers held a special tribute to Ann Wallace, Betty Boger and Dickey Menius. Wallace and Boger are known throughout Rowan Helping Ministries as “the sisters. Together they have served many years in multiple areas including organizing food drives and garnering participation through their church. Menius was recognized for his service on the facilities committee and supervising the teams of volunteers that are revamping the temporary housing.
Volunteers from World Hope Worship Center on Mooresville Road were recognized for streamlining the USDA food packing system. The church volunteers once a week to pre-pack 250 family-sized boxes of food.
Rowan Helping Ministries Board Chair Steve Drinkard thanked everyone for their commitment to helping people in need. Drinkard was thankful that in a time of increasing need, Rowan Helping Ministries “was a place where all people can come together to respond to God’s call in Matthew 25 to ‘help the least of these.’ ”
Kyna Foster, Executive Director of Rowan Helping Ministries, shared the amazing journey that Rowan Helping Ministries has been through over the past year. Many people have worked together to bring the idea of an expansion into reality. In a very short time, the organization has designed a building, raised $6 million to build it and acquired the needed property. Grading is all but complete, Foster told the audience, and the building is planned to be occupied in March 2014.
“Again, we see how God has blessed Rowan Helping Ministries with talented volunteers and a community of people who want to help others,” Foster said.