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Current News
July 22, 2008
- 55 participate in special Matching Event to raise over
$30,000
Long-time corporate sponsor,
Columbus Equipment
Company, challenged Lower Lights Ministries' supporters to
match their $15,000 unrestricted gift in a two day online matching event on July
15-16. Thanks to 55 participants whose average gift was near $300, we not
only met the goal of raising $15,000 in two days, we actually exceeded our goal
by over $1,000.
Because of the generosity of Columbus Equipment Company and those who
participated in this Matching event, lower Lights Ministries raised over $31,000
in the two day event. Thanks to all those who participated!
June 25, 2008
- A summer of fun for inner-city children
Beginning in late June, Franklinton
children will have the opportunity to participate in great summer fun.
New
Life Church in Gahanna will
partner with Lower Lights to provide the First Annual Art Camp.
Elementary children will enjoy a great lunch provided by
Ekklesia, followed by
an afternoon of dance, crafts, illustration, music, drama and more.
Throughout July, Lower Lights will offer day camp for the third year. The
Day Camp is a four-week, daily camp where children can learn and grow in a safe
environment. This year's camp, "WOW Camp" will feature field trips,
special speakers, and cool activities that children have come to expect from day
camp.
May 15, 2008
- Saturday Meal program expands
Beginning in May, Lower Lights Ministries
will expand its Saturday meal outreach by relocating the Saturday Friends Meal
for homeless adults to the City Life Center in order to make room for the new
Franklinton Family Meal program. This expansion will accommodate the
growing need for families with children to have nutritious meals and positive
fellowship. Lead partners in this expansion are Lower Lights Community Church
and
Lifepoint Nazarene Church.
November 15, 2007
On November 3rd, volunteers, program
participants, and investors gathered together at Columbus Northwest Nazarene
Church to celebrate this year's impact and our hope for the future. With
Cabot Rea of
NBC4 serving as emcee, all enjoyed an inspiring
evening of great food, music, and testimonies of changed lives. We send
special thanks to the musicians, our host
Columbus Northwest Church,
Catering by Scott,
Buckeye Linen Service,
Larry Wigton (auctioneer),
and all of the many volunteers who made the event possible.
Franklinton children enjoy 3rd Annual Pumpkin Patch Party
On October 20th, over 50 Franklinton
children participated in the 3rd annual "Great Pumpkin, Franklinton" event.
thanks to the combined efforts of Chick-Fil-A, Kroger, Columbus Northwest
Nazarene Youth and Columbus Equipment Company, kids enjoyed a morning of food,
face painting, games, and prizes. Highlights included pumpkin decorating
and drawings for 4 new bicycles.
October 15, 2007
Under the leadership of Richard Ochal
(Grove City Home Depot), over 60 Home Depot associates from nine
Central Ohio stores rallied together on Thursday, October 11 to assist us with
renovations on our newest property. Armed with hammers, nails, over $2,500
of supplies, and a lot of heart, these associates worked throughout the day
installing windows and doors, a new deck, and giving the landscape a much needed
facelift. Also serving was Lewis Weaver of Weaver Overhead Doors who
repaired our garage door on the property.
This property is the first of many that will be part of the Light the Way
Home program.
Click here for more on this exciting
program...
August 9, 2007
As part of the pages tour,
Shane & Shane
and
Bebo Norman
will play at
Grove City Nazarene Church on
Tuesday, September 4th. A portion of the concert proceeds will support
the work of Lower Lights Ministries! We encourage groups and
individuals to sell out this inspiring concert as a way to have an impact on
Franklinton. Tickets are available at
itickets - keyword "bebo."
2nd Annual Children's Day Camp Comes to a Close
From July 9-August 5, the church at 1066
Bellows Avenue was transformed into a motor speedway as Franklinton children
raced toward a Christ-like life during day camp. For four weeks, over 70
children arrived at Lower Lights early in the morning and stayed until
mid-afternoon, learning valuable lessons about life in a safe and welcoming
environment. Special guests throughout day camp included the Columbus Zoo,
the Columbus Police Department, and Columbus Fire Department. Children
also enjoyed trips to COSI, the Clippers, and a fishing tournament at Westgate
Park.
Lower Lights thanks the over 100 volunteers and supporters that cooked, help
coordinate games, donated items for our store and provided prayer support.
We especially thank volunteers from Mt. Sterling Nazarene, New Albany
Presbyterian, Pickerington Grace Fellowship, Pickerington Nazarene, Sidney
Nazarene, and St. Mary's Nazarene who dedicated a full week of service each.
We also thank this year's camp coordinator, Kristie Mansell. Kristie is a
senior at Indiana Wesleyan University and displayed great leadership and
compassion for our children.
May 15, 2007
On April 28th, Lower Lights and the
Franklinton Ministerial Association worked together with
Rebuilding Together
Columbus, and several Columbus churches to serve Franklinton
residents with small home projects. ServeFest 2007: A Gathering of
Churches was conceived by
New
Life Church in Gahanna, and included many churches and
ministries throughout Columbus.
Volunteers assisted with light home maintenance and participated in the local
neighborhood clean up.
March 20, 2007
As a means to promote homeownership
throughout Franklinton and to continue in the development of Franklinton
families, Lower Lights has launched a special program to prepare low-income
families to become (and remain) homeowners through service-enriched rental
housing. We are currently renovating a disinvested property to serve as
the initial program site.
In April, the HCS House of Hope will be fully occupied with four
residents, two of which are graduates of the Rachel's House reentry program.
As you may know, this property is to serve as the "next step" for women as they
gain greater self-sufficiency while remaining connected to a vital support
system.
Troy Christian School provides a day of service
Nearly sixty middle school students for Troy Christian School visited
Lower Lights for a day packed with community service throughout Franklinton.
Students assisted senior adults through Lifecare Alliance, provided a meal
through Holy Family Catholic Church, and poured a lot of sweat equity into a
local community garden, as well as properties affiliated with Lower Lights.
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