December 2005 saw a new beginning at Hope Fellowship. I was asked by the Fundraising Committee for the new building if I would be willing to set up and run a gift card program.
Several years ago Purolator came up with a plan to host a “Tackle Hunger Week” across Canada. Each Purolator station was given the challenge to raise funds and collect food. In 2007 the Pickering station collected 100 lbs of canned food and $116.00 but were unsure what to do with it.
On December 5, 2005, with a $10,000 loan approved by our church’s Administrative Board, we purchased an inventory of gift cards to start the Hope Fellowship Fundraiser. That loan was paid off in less than 2 ½ years, and since then we have paid $21,000 towards our mortgage.
This past year we have volunteered in Hyde County, North Carolina and in Schoharie, New York, both times cleaning up the results of flooding from Hurricane Irene. One just can not fathom the amount of water that she produced.