What's New at Lake Christian Ministries
Ten Neighbors graduate from Spring Getting Ahead class
Ten LCM Neighbors took one step closer to building a better life by graduating from the 16-week Getting Ahead in a Just Getting by World class on May 8. During the graduation ceremony, several of the Neighbors shared their success stories and their hopes of moving forward in their journey towards a stable and secure life for themselves and their families.
The graduates with their Partners and class instructors.
Congratulations to our Getting Ahead graduates: (front row, from left) Lisa Corinha, Teri Andes, Joann Castro and Sue Dillon; (back row) Tammy Proctor, Stephanie East, Sarah DeLeon, Terri Ransom and Bo Norfleet. (Not pictured: Kory Greenway.)
New Tomorrows Program Coordinator Needed
Lake Christian Ministries is seeking a Program Coordinator to work part-time, approximately 15 hours per week, to support the administration of the New Tomorrows Program. Responsibilities include providing administrative support for the New Tomorrows Program, managing all program logistics, data management, as well as the administration and reporting for a case management software database system. Essential skills include proficiency with Microsoft Office products, good organizational skills, and strong communication skills. See attached detailed job description for more information. Letter of interest and resume must be provided by email to lcmntdr@gmail.com or by mail to Lake Christian Ministries, 13157 S Old Moneta Road, Moneta VA 24121 no later than May 20, 2019.
Lake Christian Ministries dedicates lobby to Mike Bond
RoJane Bond (center) accepts a plaque honoring her late husband Mike from LCM Executive Director Jane Winters (left) and Board Chair Jim Laseter.
Lake Christian Ministries (LCM) held a special dedication ceremony on March 29 to honor the memory of Michael “Mike” Bond, a long-time volunteer leader and supporter who died in 2018. The dedication marked the renaming of LCM’s lobby and the installation of a new more handicap accommodating front door.
Seventeen Bond family members, numerous volunteers and LCM Board members attended the dedication of the Mike Bond Memorial Neighbor Lobby. Bond’s wife, RoJane, accepted a plaque from LCM highlighting his contributions to the organization. A duplicate of the plaque now hangs in the lobby.
From 2008 to 2018, Bond served as Board Chair, Vice-Chair, Executive Director and Operations Manager. Speakers at the ceremony recalled how he took a personal interest in LCM’s Neighbors and set the standard for volunteers through his thoughtful and dedicated leadership.
“Mike Bond’s spirit continues to live on in everything we do at LCM. This space with his name attached to it will serve as a reminder that at the end of the day, we are here for no other reason than to serve those who come here, seeking help,” said LCM Board Chair Jim Laseter.
Perhaps the best statement about Bond came from one of the Neighbors with whom he forged a trusted relationship. “Mr. Mike was a very kind man,” said Savannah Anthony. “He had compassion for everyone who came through that door.”
Seventeen Bond family members, numerous volunteers and LCM Board members attended the dedication of the Mike Bond Memorial Neighbor Lobby. Bond’s wife, RoJane, accepted a plaque from LCM highlighting his contributions to the organization. A duplicate of the plaque now hangs in the lobby.
From 2008 to 2018, Bond served as Board Chair, Vice-Chair, Executive Director and Operations Manager. Speakers at the ceremony recalled how he took a personal interest in LCM’s Neighbors and set the standard for volunteers through his thoughtful and dedicated leadership.
“Mike Bond’s spirit continues to live on in everything we do at LCM. This space with his name attached to it will serve as a reminder that at the end of the day, we are here for no other reason than to serve those who come here, seeking help,” said LCM Board Chair Jim Laseter.
Perhaps the best statement about Bond came from one of the Neighbors with whom he forged a trusted relationship. “Mr. Mike was a very kind man,” said Savannah Anthony. “He had compassion for everyone who came through that door.”
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.
LCM has big success with RVG campaign
Participating in its fourth successive annual Roanoke Valley Gives (RVG) on-line giving day on March 13, Lake Christian Ministries exceeded their goal of $50,000 in donations. “Our generous supporters contributed $43,300 online during the 24-hour period,” said LCM Executive Director Jane Winters. “Combined with checks and cash also earmarked for the campaign, plus $5,000 in bonuses earned from RVG organizers, we generated just over $53,000 for LCM’s Neighbors in need that day.”
Combined with LCM's other major fundraiser—the Walk to End Poverty in September—about 25% of the charity's annual budget comes from just two events. “Every bit of the money raised goes to LCM programs that help SML residents who are struggling to make ends meet with food and household needs, emergency heat and electricity and, more recently, the New Tomorrows Program that guides LCM Neighbors toward movement out of poverty,” Winters explained. “Since the New Tomorrows Program began in 2015, over 100 Neighbor families have benefited. On behalf of our Neighbors, LCM wishes to thank the SML Community for its very generous ongoing support,”
Combined with LCM's other major fundraiser—the Walk to End Poverty in September—about 25% of the charity's annual budget comes from just two events. “Every bit of the money raised goes to LCM programs that help SML residents who are struggling to make ends meet with food and household needs, emergency heat and electricity and, more recently, the New Tomorrows Program that guides LCM Neighbors toward movement out of poverty,” Winters explained. “Since the New Tomorrows Program began in 2015, over 100 Neighbor families have benefited. On behalf of our Neighbors, LCM wishes to thank the SML Community for its very generous ongoing support,”
Helping Our Neighbors in Need and Providing
Hope for the Future
Hope for the Future
Lake Christian Ministries (LCM) is a non-profit outreach ministry supported by Smith Mountain Lake area churches, organizations, businesses and individuals. Since 1992, LCM has provided food, clothing, household items and crisis financial aid to our Neighbors in need in Bedford, Franklin and Pittsylvania counties.
LCM’s vision is to create a poverty-free SML community where each individual is valued, is connected and lives in hope. In 2018, to move closer to this vision, LCM expanded its New Tomorrows program, which assists Neighbors in clarifying financial and family issues and developing financial, educational and employment strategies with the help of volunteer Partners. Included in this program is a 16-week Getting Ahead in a Just Getting by World class that helps Neighbors better understand the barriers that are keeping them in poverty and develop a plan to move toward self-sufficiency.
In 2018, LCM provided:
Other 2018 LCM facts:
• Operating expenses of $351,800 (includes 85% of all food distributed).
• 230 volunteers worked over 28,650 hrs providing LCM’s programs & services.
• Nearly 58% of LCM Neighbors are under 18 or over 55 years of age.
LCM’s vision is to create a poverty-free SML community where each individual is valued, is connected and lives in hope. In 2018, to move closer to this vision, LCM expanded its New Tomorrows program, which assists Neighbors in clarifying financial and family issues and developing financial, educational and employment strategies with the help of volunteer Partners. Included in this program is a 16-week Getting Ahead in a Just Getting by World class that helps Neighbors better understand the barriers that are keeping them in poverty and develop a plan to move toward self-sufficiency.
In 2018, LCM provided:
- Food to 1,978 unduplicated individuals, totaling 171,372 meals (two nutritional meals a day for five days per person per monthly visit) served to 740 households. Two mobile food pantries provide food to some 60 families who cannot come to LCM.
- Emergency financial aid to 263 families, amounting to $91,194 paid directly to the providers for housing; fuel; electricity; medical, dental and prescription drug expenses; and other types of crisis assistance.
- Individual relationship-based support for 30 Neighbors through the LCM Partners program, which began in 2018 as a component service of the New Tomorrows program. By developing a partnership between trained LCM volunteers and Neighbors, the Partners program provides assistance for lifestyle improvement education and job readiness and placement.
- Since its beginning in 2015, the Getting Ahead in a Just Getting by World class has benefited 43 families, helping them move to a more secure future.
- Food baskets for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter to more than 2,271 individuals.
- 23,753 items of donated clothing, household items and appliances.
- Back-to-school supplies to 243 children in grades K-12.
- Warm clothing and gifts to 350 children, under age 16 in families enrolled at LCM, through “A Child’s Christmas.”
- Dentures to 31 Neighbors through restricted grants.
Other 2018 LCM facts:
• Operating expenses of $351,800 (includes 85% of all food distributed).
• 230 volunteers worked over 28,650 hrs providing LCM’s programs & services.
• Nearly 58% of LCM Neighbors are under 18 or over 55 years of age.
LCM Memorial Dedication for Mike Bond
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Mike Bond on October 17, 2018 following surgery from a fall. Mike’s memorial service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, October 20th at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, Moneta. Mike was a dedicated Lake Christian Ministries (LCM) volunteer leader and supporter. From 2010 when he began service as Board Chair until his death, Mike dedicated his life to helping our neighbors in need and inspiring LCM’s volunteers. At LCM, Mike served as Board Chair and Vice-Chair, Executive Director (2011-2015), and Operations Manager. LCM will not be the same without his thoughtful and dedicated leadership. Board members will fondly remember Mike for ensuring that all new Board members go through “LCM charm school” a process where each new member shadowed every role at LCM to fully understand the vital services that LCM provides. Mike will be greatly missed by his LCM Family.
Memorial Dedication: Memorial gifts for Mike Bond will be earmarked for a special dedication at LCM. The front lobby area will be renamed the Mike Bond Memorial Neighbor Center. A new handicap accessible and accommodating front door will be added to the front lobby along with a new welcome sign and a dedication plaque in Mike’s memory. Memorial gifts to support this effort can be sent to: LCM, P.O. Box 695, Moneta, VA 24121 with a note that reads: Mike Bond Memorial.
You may also donate to LCM in honor of Mike using the button below.
Memorial Dedication: Memorial gifts for Mike Bond will be earmarked for a special dedication at LCM. The front lobby area will be renamed the Mike Bond Memorial Neighbor Center. A new handicap accessible and accommodating front door will be added to the front lobby along with a new welcome sign and a dedication plaque in Mike’s memory. Memorial gifts to support this effort can be sent to: LCM, P.O. Box 695, Moneta, VA 24121 with a note that reads: Mike Bond Memorial.
You may also donate to LCM in honor of Mike using the button below.
Charity Chug Benefits A Child's Christmas
On December 12, 2018, the SML Model Railroad Club members presented a donation of $4,006 to Lake Christian Ministries Executive Director Jane Winters and Board Officers Jim Laseter and Dave English, to support this year's A Child's Christmas Program. This donation represented record proceeds for the annual Charity Chug event.
"These funds will help provide toys, gifts and warm clothes for over 330 children who live in homes where there is rarely enough money to pay the bills and never enough income to put gifts under the tree," commented Jane Winters. "We are grateful to the SML Model Railroad Club for staging this wonderful holiday event and to the lake community for the very generous support of the Charity Chug."
On December 15 Lake Christian Ministries will share the joy and hope of Christmas with the community's children and families in need. Over 325 Christmas Breakfast baskets will be shared with LCM families and gifts will be given to approximately 330 children ages 16 and under.
"These funds will help provide toys, gifts and warm clothes for over 330 children who live in homes where there is rarely enough money to pay the bills and never enough income to put gifts under the tree," commented Jane Winters. "We are grateful to the SML Model Railroad Club for staging this wonderful holiday event and to the lake community for the very generous support of the Charity Chug."
On December 15 Lake Christian Ministries will share the joy and hope of Christmas with the community's children and families in need. Over 325 Christmas Breakfast baskets will be shared with LCM families and gifts will be given to approximately 330 children ages 16 and under.
Lake Christian Ministries is Grateful for 2018 Grant Support
A Special Thank Our Grantors…
Grant funding is an important source of support for the LCM Ministry - providing nearly $50,000 each year (15% of the funds required to aid our neighbors in need). As of August 31, 2018, LCM was grateful to receive funding from seven grantors to support vital 2018 projects and services. While some grants assist with ongoing programs, others allow LCM to enhance an existing service or offer new services to neighbors in need. Our goal is to utilize these grant funds to empower our neighbors in need to move toward a more secure future and a better quality of life. We gratefully acknowledge grantors who have provided the following 2018 support:
Bedford Community Health Foundation - $9,000 to provide dentures services to LCM neighbors who reside in Bedford County.
Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation - $1,800 Feeding the Hungry grant for the purchase of healthy food supplies dedicated to feeding the hungry in the communities Food Lion serves.
The Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation - $10,000 to provide healthy food supplies and nutrition education to Bedford County neighbors in need.
United Way of Central Virginia - $10,000 to support the Food Assistance and Milk Voucher Program for Bedford County neighbors in need.
United Way of Roanoke Valley/Franklin County - $5,000 to support the Food Assistance Program for Franklin County neighbors in need.
Presbytery of the Peaks - $2,000 to assist with the purchase of healthy food to address hunger in the SML community.
The Lane Foundation - $2,000 to support the Milk Voucher Program to improve nutrition for the children in need in the SML community.
Grant funding is an important source of support for the LCM Ministry - providing nearly $50,000 each year (15% of the funds required to aid our neighbors in need). As of August 31, 2018, LCM was grateful to receive funding from seven grantors to support vital 2018 projects and services. While some grants assist with ongoing programs, others allow LCM to enhance an existing service or offer new services to neighbors in need. Our goal is to utilize these grant funds to empower our neighbors in need to move toward a more secure future and a better quality of life. We gratefully acknowledge grantors who have provided the following 2018 support:
Bedford Community Health Foundation - $9,000 to provide dentures services to LCM neighbors who reside in Bedford County.
Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation - $1,800 Feeding the Hungry grant for the purchase of healthy food supplies dedicated to feeding the hungry in the communities Food Lion serves.
The Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation - $10,000 to provide healthy food supplies and nutrition education to Bedford County neighbors in need.
United Way of Central Virginia - $10,000 to support the Food Assistance and Milk Voucher Program for Bedford County neighbors in need.
United Way of Roanoke Valley/Franklin County - $5,000 to support the Food Assistance Program for Franklin County neighbors in need.
Presbytery of the Peaks - $2,000 to assist with the purchase of healthy food to address hunger in the SML community.
The Lane Foundation - $2,000 to support the Milk Voucher Program to improve nutrition for the children in need in the SML community.
100+ Women Who Care SML Collective Donates to LCM
Lake Christian Ministries volunteers and staff were thrilled to receive collective donations totaling $12,200 from the 100+ Women Who Care SML. This generous support will be devoted to LCM's programs that directly impact poverty in the Smith Mountain Lake community - New Tomorrows, Getting Ahead in a Just Getting by World, and the Denture Program. THANK YOU to each and every woman who is a part of this wonderful collective giving group. You are making such a positive and meaningful impact in our lake community!
LCM announces new 2018 Board members
Lake Christian Ministries has appointed seven distinguished SML-area residents to its Board of Directors, bringing the governing body composition to fully 20 members.
“We are extremely blessed and excited at the new talent, experience and enthusiasm our seven new directors bring to our leadership team,” said Board Chairman David English. “That such qualified people are volunteering to help guide LCM toward accomplishment of its recently-adopted new vision--'A poverty-free SML community where each individual is valued, is connected, and lives in hope'-- is a strong indication that we have defined a goal the entire community will embrace. Poverty in our area has increased over the past ten years, despite flat trend lines nation-wide, LCM believes it must lead an effort to reduce our local poverty rate and ultimately eliminate poverty in the SML area all together.”
LCM’s new board members, all volunteers, are:
--Randy Agee, formal representative to LCM from Christ Community Church in Penhook. Actively involved with outreach, he chairs the Mission Outreach and is Vice-Chair of the Governing Council of Christ Community Church.
--John Achtue, an active member of the New Tomorrows team who holds an MA in Counseling Psychology and has a strong background in Human Resources; is currently leading a “Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World” class.
--Sallie Cappellari, certified personal trainer and owner/operator of her own in-home personal training business; holds an undergraduate degree in political science and an MPA (Masters in Public Administration).
--Lindsey Coley, BS, MPA, JD, local attorney and chair elect of the SML Regional Chamber of Commerce.
--Kelvin Edwards, Sr., Pastor of the Epworth United Methodist Church and the Halesford United Methodist Church, both of which are formal church members of LCM.
--Ann Saad, Holder of a Masters in Education who served over 30 years in public and private school education in the US and abroad. Currently an Interviewer/MOM (Manager of the Ministry) at LCM, on the Board of SML Good Neighbors, and a member of AAUW and 100+ Women Who Care.
--Anna Turner, who taught in the Alexandria City Public Schools before moving to SML. An operations manager on Mondays at LCM who recently served on the LCM Executive Director Search Committee. Many of the school children she interacted with in Alexandria have similar backgrounds to the children that LCM serves.
Said LCM Executive Director Jane Winters of the Board’s composition: “The diverse experiences of so many dedicated leadership team members will ensure lively discussions about how LCM can best serve the SML community moving forward.”
“We are extremely blessed and excited at the new talent, experience and enthusiasm our seven new directors bring to our leadership team,” said Board Chairman David English. “That such qualified people are volunteering to help guide LCM toward accomplishment of its recently-adopted new vision--'A poverty-free SML community where each individual is valued, is connected, and lives in hope'-- is a strong indication that we have defined a goal the entire community will embrace. Poverty in our area has increased over the past ten years, despite flat trend lines nation-wide, LCM believes it must lead an effort to reduce our local poverty rate and ultimately eliminate poverty in the SML area all together.”
LCM’s new board members, all volunteers, are:
--Randy Agee, formal representative to LCM from Christ Community Church in Penhook. Actively involved with outreach, he chairs the Mission Outreach and is Vice-Chair of the Governing Council of Christ Community Church.
--John Achtue, an active member of the New Tomorrows team who holds an MA in Counseling Psychology and has a strong background in Human Resources; is currently leading a “Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World” class.
--Sallie Cappellari, certified personal trainer and owner/operator of her own in-home personal training business; holds an undergraduate degree in political science and an MPA (Masters in Public Administration).
--Lindsey Coley, BS, MPA, JD, local attorney and chair elect of the SML Regional Chamber of Commerce.
--Kelvin Edwards, Sr., Pastor of the Epworth United Methodist Church and the Halesford United Methodist Church, both of which are formal church members of LCM.
--Ann Saad, Holder of a Masters in Education who served over 30 years in public and private school education in the US and abroad. Currently an Interviewer/MOM (Manager of the Ministry) at LCM, on the Board of SML Good Neighbors, and a member of AAUW and 100+ Women Who Care.
--Anna Turner, who taught in the Alexandria City Public Schools before moving to SML. An operations manager on Mondays at LCM who recently served on the LCM Executive Director Search Committee. Many of the school children she interacted with in Alexandria have similar backgrounds to the children that LCM serves.
Said LCM Executive Director Jane Winters of the Board’s composition: “The diverse experiences of so many dedicated leadership team members will ensure lively discussions about how LCM can best serve the SML community moving forward.”
Amazon Customers Smile on LCM
Are you familiar with Amazon Smile? Do you buy from Amazon? If you are an Amazon customer, you can help us pay for the services we provide to our neighbors in need in Franklin, Bedford and Pittsylvania counties. IT IS SIMPLE.
All you need to do is go to www.smile.amazon.com and select Lake Christian Ministries as your designated charity. From then on, LCM will automatically receive 0.5% of every dollar you spend on Amazon purchases. – at no cost to you!
LCM currently receives $400 to $500 a year from this program. That may not sound like a lot, but to those who rely on LCM, $500 can purchase food for a family of four for 13 weeks
Can you help us double our income? Triple it? Thanks.
All you need to do is go to www.smile.amazon.com and select Lake Christian Ministries as your designated charity. From then on, LCM will automatically receive 0.5% of every dollar you spend on Amazon purchases. – at no cost to you!
LCM currently receives $400 to $500 a year from this program. That may not sound like a lot, but to those who rely on LCM, $500 can purchase food for a family of four for 13 weeks
Can you help us double our income? Triple it? Thanks.