Smiles were everywhere.  As I helped a child with her cotton candy, I heard a shy, "thank you."  It broke my heart.  This is not the reason that we serve, but it is the reward for serving.  As I looked around the Orlando Campus at our 2,000,000th Meal Street Celebration in April, people were serving and being served.  It was difficult to tell who was experiencing the most satisfaction ... our Board member who stood for hours in the hot sun serving water or the client who was helping clean up afterwards and said "thank you, this has make me feel like a person again."  It is moments like these that make our ministry a joy for those who work here as well as for those we serve. We so often take for granted what we have, while others just want a cold drink of water, a hot meal or even a pleasant smile.  In the story of Jesus healing the 10 lepers, one came back to say thank you.  Christ knew, even before He healed them, that only one would express his appreciation directly to the Healer, but he healed them all anyway.   This is our example of service.  The reason we serve is in response to our Savior.  The reward of service is the satisfaction of knowing that we have served our Savior. Touching lives ... one meal at a time.  What a wonderful expression of Christ's mandate to serve our neighbors in His name! As we look beyond the celebration of 2,000,000 meals, I want to express my deepest appreciation for all of you who helped us with the planning, with in-kind and financial gifts, and with your prayerful support.  2,000,000 meals is a significant milestone because you made it possible!  2,000,000 thanks to each one of you who have worked with the Center to help those less fortunate in our community. Our needs continue to be great. Summer is here and your regular giving is vital to our yearlong success.  Please remember the Center during the next few months as we continue to be your instrument of serving those in need. On behalf of those we serve, those we touch ... thank you! Robert F. Stuart

Tickets Now Available to Art Auction

Whether you are an art connoisseur or just appreciate fine art, mark your calendars now for Saturday, August 21st as the West Orange Christian Service Center and Heisman Galleries team together once again to sponsor an Art Auction to benefit the programs of the Center.  Hosted by Isleworth Country Club, the doors will open at 7:00 p.m. for those wishing to enjoy specialty desserts and coffee while previewing the art.  The auction will begin at 8:00 p.m.

Joining the artwork presented by the Gallery will be five pieces of original artwork created by the winners of our 1999 Christmas Card Design Contest.  These young artists were recently selected by a panel of celebrity judges as creating the "best of the best" in holiday art and will be used as the cover panels for our Christmas Card fundraiser.  These cards will be available for purchase at the auction for $12.50 per box.

Program sponsors are needed to purchase advertisements at the following rates:

• Full Page $200
• 1/2 Page $100
• 1/4 Page $ 50
• 1/8 Page $ 25

Interested parties may contact Auction Chairman Carol Willard at 876-2099 or Peg MacDonald at 656-6678.  Tickets for the auction are available for $15.00 per person and can be purchased through the West Orange Christian Service Center at 300 W Franklin Street or by calling 656-0678.

See paper issue for a collage of pictures featuring:

• Mayor Hood with the staff from the Orlando Chamber
• Billboard located at Princeton and 441
• Governor Bush with Chomp Williams
• Orange County Chairman Mel Martinez
• Children enjoy face painting, clowns and especially the moonwalk!
• WKMG's Pamela Brady with former Board President Brenda de Treville and former Daily Bread Director Leona Brown.
• The Parade of Church Banners
• Governor Jeb Bush
• Commissioners Bob Freeman and Mary Johnson
• Our wonderful sponsors

The Alzheimer's Respite Care Program recently opened its newest neighborhood site, Share the Care-Oviedo, in a renovated house whose use is being donated by the wonderful people at Lutheran Haven.  Located in the Chapman House, Share the Care-Oviedo currently serves up to 10 persons a day, 2 times a week.  The program hopes to expand as determined by future demand.  Dan Kovac, administrator of Lutheran Haven, was made aware of the program's need for a site by one of the Center's longest and dearest friends, Olga Heck.  A resident of Lutheran Haven, Olga put Don in touch with the program, and as they say, the rest is history.

After a few minor renovations, Share the Care-Oviedo opened for service on April 13th.   For more information on this, or other programs of the Alzheimer's Respite Care Program, please call 423-5311.

(L to R) Hilton and Barbara Gilliam, Kiley Marvin, Susan Shaheen, Olga Heck, Mary Schramm and Rosemary Harley at the opening of Share the Care-Oviedo.

In Memoriam

We regretfully announce the death of faithful board member, Phil Watson, on May 12, 1999.  His life, as well as his devotion to the Christian Service Center, was a witness of his deep abiding faith and an encouragement to everyone he touched.

The Boutique is Bare

The Christian Service Center's Thrift Stores are currently experiencing a "clothing crisis" and need your help. All types of clothing for men, women and children are needed. Only those in good condition, please! Linens and pots and pans are also needed. if you can help, please call Shirley Swint at 425-2523.

Revised: January 18, 2008