Current Events at LCM
SML Community Works Together on A Simple Gesture

Individual donors, small businesses, civic clubs, and students came together to help neighbors in need by supporting Lake Christian Ministries’ pantry pick-up program on March 8. The program, called A Simple Gesture SML, collected 2,453 pounds of canned fruit from 173 donors this quarter.
A Simple Gesture donors receive a reusable tote bag and a quarterly Wish List from Lake Christian Ministries (LCM). On collection days, volunteer drivers pick up the filled tote bags from donors’ homes or donors drop off their bags at designated locations.
Thirty neighborhoods participated this quarter, in addition to many donors who do not live in distinct neighborhoods. Waverly had the most donors, thanks to the recruitment efforts of Terry and Jim O’Connor, who also serve as volunteer drivers. Terry O’Connor explained that recruitment was easy because, "Waverly is a wonderful community with a big heart and A Simple Gesture is a great program."
Members of the SML Civitan Club filled tote bags for A Simple Gesture and learned about food insecurity and LCM’s programs at their March meeting. Numerous book clubs around the lake also filled bags. Capps Building Supply supported the program with employee contributions and by serving as a drop-off location.
After all bags were collected and delivered to LCM, two teachers and 19 students from Moneta Elementary School helped by counting, weighing bags, and sorting cans in the pantry.
“The response of this community has been very exciting,” said Linda Strup, A Simple Gesture coordinator, “and the results have been very impressive!”
A Simple Gesture’s third collection day will be on June 14. To sign up, please email asimplegesturesml@gmail.com or visit asimplegesturesml.org.
A Simple Gesture donors receive a reusable tote bag and a quarterly Wish List from Lake Christian Ministries (LCM). On collection days, volunteer drivers pick up the filled tote bags from donors’ homes or donors drop off their bags at designated locations.
Thirty neighborhoods participated this quarter, in addition to many donors who do not live in distinct neighborhoods. Waverly had the most donors, thanks to the recruitment efforts of Terry and Jim O’Connor, who also serve as volunteer drivers. Terry O’Connor explained that recruitment was easy because, "Waverly is a wonderful community with a big heart and A Simple Gesture is a great program."
Members of the SML Civitan Club filled tote bags for A Simple Gesture and learned about food insecurity and LCM’s programs at their March meeting. Numerous book clubs around the lake also filled bags. Capps Building Supply supported the program with employee contributions and by serving as a drop-off location.
After all bags were collected and delivered to LCM, two teachers and 19 students from Moneta Elementary School helped by counting, weighing bags, and sorting cans in the pantry.
“The response of this community has been very exciting,” said Linda Strup, A Simple Gesture coordinator, “and the results have been very impressive!”
A Simple Gesture’s third collection day will be on June 14. To sign up, please email asimplegesturesml@gmail.com or visit asimplegesturesml.org.
New WSLK Music Center will host LCM Hospitality Lunch on RVG Day,
March 13
March 13

The public can get its first glimpse of the new WSLK Radio Music and Arts Center, located in the old Hales Ford Store on Route 122 near Bojangles, on Wednesday, March 13, in conjunction with Lake Christian Ministries' Roanoke Valley Gives (RVG) Day complimentary luncheon.
“WSLK has broadcast live from LCM's RVG Day Hospitality Center the last two years,” said WSLK owner and broadcast personality Tim Ernandes. “Moving that event to our new Music and Arts Center gives folks a chance to see what we've created there.”
“WSLK and Lake Christian Ministries invite the public to join LCM board members and volunteers for complimentary lunch that day to celebrate the RVG Day on-line giving opportunity and what it means to the SML community.” added LCM Executive Director Jane Winters.
A new venue for music and arts
Ernandes and his father, Frank, recently agreed to lease the former Hales Ford Store building and are converting it to a broadcast center and music and arts venue. “When it's complete, it will have a small stage and seat 100 for 'coffee-house' style performances to benefit area charities,” Tim Ernandes said. “It will also be suitable for art and photo exhibits and other artistic displays—a place where charities can hold gatherings and events.”
The March 13 “sneak peek” viewing, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm that day, will be in tandem with LCM's traditional RVG campaign Hospitality Center, offering a free hot lunch to any and all LCM supporters who wish to stop by. “We'll have laptops and volunteers to assist in logging donations during our Power Hour, the critical noon to 1 pm period when we can earn a $1000 bonus from the RVG organizers for the strongest participation,” Jane Winters said. “Of course, on-line contributions to LCM made anytime on March 13 will count toward our overall RVG-Day total, the first $10,000 of which is being matched by a generous anonymous donor to help contributions work twice as hard.”
Simple instructions for RVG participation can be found at www.rvgives.givebig.org or www.lakechristianministries.org.
“We are eager for the WSLK Radio Music and Arts Center to be a hub for charity support events that benefit the SML community,” Ernandes noted, “and we look forward to hosting the very first one on March 13. Look for the WSLK van in the broadcast center parking lot along Booker T. Washington Highway (Rt. 122).”
“WSLK has broadcast live from LCM's RVG Day Hospitality Center the last two years,” said WSLK owner and broadcast personality Tim Ernandes. “Moving that event to our new Music and Arts Center gives folks a chance to see what we've created there.”
“WSLK and Lake Christian Ministries invite the public to join LCM board members and volunteers for complimentary lunch that day to celebrate the RVG Day on-line giving opportunity and what it means to the SML community.” added LCM Executive Director Jane Winters.
A new venue for music and arts
Ernandes and his father, Frank, recently agreed to lease the former Hales Ford Store building and are converting it to a broadcast center and music and arts venue. “When it's complete, it will have a small stage and seat 100 for 'coffee-house' style performances to benefit area charities,” Tim Ernandes said. “It will also be suitable for art and photo exhibits and other artistic displays—a place where charities can hold gatherings and events.”
The March 13 “sneak peek” viewing, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm that day, will be in tandem with LCM's traditional RVG campaign Hospitality Center, offering a free hot lunch to any and all LCM supporters who wish to stop by. “We'll have laptops and volunteers to assist in logging donations during our Power Hour, the critical noon to 1 pm period when we can earn a $1000 bonus from the RVG organizers for the strongest participation,” Jane Winters said. “Of course, on-line contributions to LCM made anytime on March 13 will count toward our overall RVG-Day total, the first $10,000 of which is being matched by a generous anonymous donor to help contributions work twice as hard.”
Simple instructions for RVG participation can be found at www.rvgives.givebig.org or www.lakechristianministries.org.
“We are eager for the WSLK Radio Music and Arts Center to be a hub for charity support events that benefit the SML community,” Ernandes noted, “and we look forward to hosting the very first one on March 13. Look for the WSLK van in the broadcast center parking lot along Booker T. Washington Highway (Rt. 122).”
LCM announces participation in RVG On-line Giving Day March 13

“Double Your Donation” Match Offered Again for 2019
Lake Christian Ministries (LCM) has announced that it will once again participate in the Roanoke Valley Gives (RVG) campaign this March 13. RVG is an on-line giving initiative of the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia and is designed to inspire and grow philanthropy in the region, including Smith Mountain Lake. The RVG event seeks to raise over $550,000 among 150 charitable organizations. LCM 's goal is to generate at least $50,000 to help fund the organization’s programs and services that focus on reducing poverty in the SML community. “RVG Day has become one of our most important fund-raising opportunities,” said Executive Director Jane Winters. “Last year LCM was fortunate to generate the most donations of all participating mid-sized charities. We are very hopeful the incredible community response we saw last year will be repeated in 2019.”
Campaign donations will be doubled by generous donor
For the third year running, RVG will be a “Double Your Donation” event for LCM. Explained LCM's Fund Development Chair David Gring: “This matching gift has been a key to the success of our RVG participation the last two years. We are so grateful that an anonymous and very generous donor has once again pledged to match the first $10,000 of campaign contributions to LCM that are processed during the 24-hour “Roanoke Valley Gives” donation period that ends at midnight on March 13.
“And to make giving during the RVG campaign as convenient as possible,” Gring continued, “LCM supporters can go to the RVG website (rvgives.givebig.org) anytime from now until midnight on March 13, select Lake Christian Ministries as the charity to receive their donation and 3/13/19 as the processing date, and make their donation using the credit card of choice.
“Last year, LCM raised a record high $57,000 on RVG day, including bonuses from the sponsor of the event. To repeat that success, we need everyone who gave last year and then some to make donations during the RVG giving period, now through March 13,” Gring emphasized.
Simple instructions for making a donation that qualifies for the matching effort are posted on the RVG website, rvgives.givebig.org.
“We hope LCM supporters will find this a convenient way to make their 2019 gifts go twice as far...and have a 2X impact for those in need in the SML community,” Jane Winters concluded. “If you are considering making contributions to LCM during 2019, the Roanoke Valley Gives event is an excellent way to give since so many of the dollars contributed to LCM get doubled. Donations support LCM’s food, clothing and crisis financial aid programs, and New Tomorrows Program that works to move LCM’s Neighbors from a life of financial turmoil to a more secure future and improved quality of life.”
“Double Your Donation” Match Offered Again for 2019
Lake Christian Ministries (LCM) has announced that it will once again participate in the Roanoke Valley Gives (RVG) campaign this March 13. RVG is an on-line giving initiative of the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia and is designed to inspire and grow philanthropy in the region, including Smith Mountain Lake. The RVG event seeks to raise over $550,000 among 150 charitable organizations. LCM 's goal is to generate at least $50,000 to help fund the organization’s programs and services that focus on reducing poverty in the SML community. “RVG Day has become one of our most important fund-raising opportunities,” said Executive Director Jane Winters. “Last year LCM was fortunate to generate the most donations of all participating mid-sized charities. We are very hopeful the incredible community response we saw last year will be repeated in 2019.”
Campaign donations will be doubled by generous donor
For the third year running, RVG will be a “Double Your Donation” event for LCM. Explained LCM's Fund Development Chair David Gring: “This matching gift has been a key to the success of our RVG participation the last two years. We are so grateful that an anonymous and very generous donor has once again pledged to match the first $10,000 of campaign contributions to LCM that are processed during the 24-hour “Roanoke Valley Gives” donation period that ends at midnight on March 13.
“And to make giving during the RVG campaign as convenient as possible,” Gring continued, “LCM supporters can go to the RVG website (rvgives.givebig.org) anytime from now until midnight on March 13, select Lake Christian Ministries as the charity to receive their donation and 3/13/19 as the processing date, and make their donation using the credit card of choice.
“Last year, LCM raised a record high $57,000 on RVG day, including bonuses from the sponsor of the event. To repeat that success, we need everyone who gave last year and then some to make donations during the RVG giving period, now through March 13,” Gring emphasized.
Simple instructions for making a donation that qualifies for the matching effort are posted on the RVG website, rvgives.givebig.org.
“We hope LCM supporters will find this a convenient way to make their 2019 gifts go twice as far...and have a 2X impact for those in need in the SML community,” Jane Winters concluded. “If you are considering making contributions to LCM during 2019, the Roanoke Valley Gives event is an excellent way to give since so many of the dollars contributed to LCM get doubled. Donations support LCM’s food, clothing and crisis financial aid programs, and New Tomorrows Program that works to move LCM’s Neighbors from a life of financial turmoil to a more secure future and improved quality of life.”