Of the ten foundations that have helped a great deal, we selected five to honor today. When we needed something
major The Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation stepped forward with both money and advice.
Of the many grants they made, three
really stand out.
The first was to start the Central Florida Employment Council which does the job fairs and finances half
the charitable efforts.
The next was to build the Food Distribution Center. The last was to find and hire Sandi to carry
on the direction of the work Dick started.
Accepting for The Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation was David Odahowski.
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The wife of a volunteer introduced Dick to Carol Chatlos. Since then The Chatlos Foundation has been the
provider for the food ministry with many grants including one to purchase a new van and one to refrigerate both vans.
Accepting for The Chatlos Foundation was Michelle Chatlos Roach.
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In 2001 Dick showed up at a meeting on what to do to help locally after 9/11 at The Community Foundation of Central
Florida. This led to the first of many grants including one to help prevent homelessness and power loss that rescued 98
families after the 2004 hurricanes.
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When Caren Parker, now Caren Gout (pronounce Hout), was on our Board, she introduced us to the Darden
Restaurants Foundation and a series of grants was started. Most recently they financed our efforts to effectively minister
to the Hispanic community in Spanish. Accepting for The Darden Restaurants Foundation was Patty DeYoung.
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In 2000, Dick met Dixie Frailey, now Dixie Keller, and her Leader Foundation financed a directory of all the
resources Christian HELP used in ministry. It was given to churches and social agencies. She continued to finance many
reprints and it is still in demand. Dixie also has volunteered and introduced Christian HELP to two other supporting
foundations.
Accepting this award was Dixie Keller.
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In late 1991, Dick started an employment networking group at Northland Community Church. In 1992, he moved
it out on its own as Christian HELP. This may have been one of the first distributed ministries from what is now Northland,
A Church Distributed.
Northland has given great support over the years, especially in 2003 when a special offering of
$30,000 averted an impending financial crisis.
Accepting for Northland was Pastor Gus Davies.
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Four years ago Randy Johnson and Alan Windham discovered Christian HELP for Saint Andrews Chapel. Since then the
church has sent both clients and much support. Madge & Dick enjoy the international cuisine and meeting their members each
year at their annual missions weekend.
Accepting for Saint Andrews Chapel was Dan Kinkopf.
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The Nation Law Firm adopted its first family for Christmas in 2002. The next year Dick went over to tell
Mark Nation about Christian HELP and was delighted to pray with the staff. Mark explained that the goal of the Nation Law
Firm was to earn money to support Christian outreaches and they have greatly supported this ministry. The award was
presented at their annual staff lunch.
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One man has gone way beyond financial support. When we moved to our current building at the end of 1999, Carter
Cherry and his family showed up with heavy trucks and equipment to move all the heavy desks and refrigerators. When we built
the food distribution building, Carter and his son Eddie did all the landscaping and irrigation work. Accepting this award
was Carter Cherry.
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Several years ago Mike Barbieri became a volunteer picking up food from super markets for us once a week.
Before long Mike became a major contributor. Also his Salsa Heat Dance Studio collects toys at Christmas.
This is Mike’s
day to pick up food, but he finished in time to accept his award.
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One of Christian HELP’s first supporters was Beverly Hill. She designed and had printed the first brochure and was
one of the founders of the Central Florida Employment Council. She has continued to speak at CFEC meetings every year; given
both advice and financial support; and even got Dick and Christian HELP honored by the Christian Chamber of Commerce.
Accepting this award was Beverly Hill.
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Many years ago Wade Gosnell’s Papa John’s started feeding all the employers at the job fairs.
When he
started Qdoba Mexican Grill in Orlando it joined Papa John’s in the effort which was really large with 120 to 130 employers.
Qdoba also held a benefit for Christian HELP when it opened the Lake Mary store and will do another, this December in
Maitland.
There is more but time is short, so here was Wade to receive the award.
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HELP Give Christmas provides toys for over 1,000 children and food for their families each Christmas.
It would not
be possible without Chick-fil-A who collect the majority of the toys through Dove Trees in their restaurants. Last year a
Chick-fil-A in North Carolina mailed in the gift a customer had turned in with a card picked up here.
Accepting for
Chick-fil-A was Cindy Coffman.
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Many families are fortunate enough to get adopted for Christmas when Z88.3 reads their story on the air.
Dick worked with Melony McKaye to set up the program many years ago and it really works. Now Melony is on our Advisory
Board. Z also does a great job announcing all our job fairs.
Accepting for Z88.3 was Jim Hoge (pronounced Hogue).
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Last year Christian HELP gave clients over 600,000 pounds of food. This year they are supplying food for 100 client
families and 100 disabled families each week, so the food is needed more than ever. The major sources are 10 supermarkets
and our best partner is Albertson’s on 46A. Pat Fraser, our favorite supermarket manager had to mind the store so this award
was presented at Albertson’s local headquarters to Shane McEntarffer.
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