The Story Express is on the move, rolling to new places, distributing books to more local children.   Here’s the 4-1-1:

Who, part 1: We are so pleased to share with you the news that Tammy Blair has taken on the role as Volunteer Coordinator for the Story Express. She will seek out venues where children gather, and will arrange for drivers to take the Story Express to those locations to distribute books. She will also arrange for volunteers to assist with sorting and stocking of books, to include books that not only are fun to read, but that may also assist children in their schools’ accelerated reader programs. Additionally, Tammy will partner with members of the Thespian Club at Fannin County High School for Story Express adventures; they are quite excited about this opportunity. The way little kids love big kids, you can bet it will be hard to tell who is serving and who is being served.

Through raising her children as well as her prior work experience, Tammy has a great deal of experience working with the local school system. It also helps that she knows just about everyone in Fannin County, and all but three or four people in Gilmer. But it’s not just her connections that make her perfect for the role – her compassion and her genuine love for people are exemplary to all.

Who, part 2: That would be you! We need volunteers who can drive the Story Express to places where children are. No special driver’s licenses are required, but a pretty clean driving record is important. If you, like me, tend to bang into things when driving, might we interest you in several other jobs? We need folks to sort and stock books, maintain a very, very simple inventory, and help keep things tidy. Interested? Call or e-mail Tammy, and she will hook you up with the details.

Where: For starters, Tammy and her team will take the Story Express to after school programs at the elementary schools in Fannin County. Over the summer, the Story Express will be present each week at the Gilmer Community Food Pantry, just as in the past. But plans are in the works for appearances at new places, such as summer camps and other places children gather.

What: Let it be known that the elementary after-school programs in Fannin County aren’t daycare programs – these children work. They study, complete their homework, and receive tutoring. This is an excellent opportunity for us; we are hopeful we can assist in tutoring by helping children with reading, and by helping them prepare for accelerated reader tests. When we aren’t tutoring, such as at the Food Pantry, we want to interact… to let children know that we care about them, and that we want to share stories with them.

When: After school program visits will be on Wednesday afternoons, and the Gilmer Community Food Pantry visits will occur on Wednesday mornings. More information will follow on the additional summer opportunities. Non-driving tasks (such as sorting and stocking) may be completed at other times.

Why: There are many children nearby, many with needs that exceed what we could think possible. And wherever there are children, needy or not, there should be love to share, and books to share…
Won’t you join us in this great work?  -TRS
 

SEEK AND YE SHALL FIND

What you’re looking for at Goodsearch. During February, there was a period of time when we were averaging nearly $1 per day in searches! Please keep up the good work - every little bit counts…

For those new to the fold, goodsearch.com will donate roughly one penny to The Craddock Center for each internet search done through their website. It’s easy – next time you need to search for something online, go to www.goodsearch.com, and tell them you goodsearch for “The Craddock Center”. Then, type in your search text. Goodsearch will remember that your searches support the Center, so the second time you go to the site, all you have to do is search. That’s all – it’s not a scam.

Volume is the key, so please spread the word – tell everyone you know to goodsearch for The Craddock Center. -TRS

DIRECTOR STATUS

I’ve run a few ads in the paper, and, well, there has been a lot of interest in my job! I can understand why. We will collect resumes throughout March, then we’ll begin selecting candidates for interview. I’ll keep you posted. -TRS
 

HAVE YOU NOTICED

How many good people there are? I mean really good people? I don’t have a better word to describe them: they are fundamentally good. Theirs is character you can trust. They do not take what is not theirs; they share what is. When they say Yes, they mean Yes and you don’t have to keep reminding them that they said Yes. They will postpone or even abandon their own plans because your need is urgent. They are generous, whether they have much or little. They tell the truth, but are not judgmental. They are not intrusive, but they are at your door when you thought no one knew you were at the end of your rope. You can depend on them. They never intend to harm. They do not need an audience before doing what is right. They mind their own business which includes standing up for the unjustly treated. They are compassionate but they do not use your misfortunes to display their compassion. They don’t even know how to be cruel.

To be sure, not all have the most becoming personalities and, if left to you, a few changes would be made: take the cap off in the house; use a fork instead of a spoon; don’t talk so loud; lose the profanity; clean up the jokes; help a bit more with the kids and the grandkids; don’t go to work so early the rest of us feel guilty; vote for the right candidates for a change.

But in the long run, I can tolerate the bad habit or the prickly personality, because these are good people; I mean really good people.

I add to my list of good people every day.  You’re on it, by the way.—FBC


THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Last month I shared with you news of Pam Lindsey’s upcoming trip to share music and joy with children in orphanages in the Ukraine. Good news: Pam has met her financial goal to pay for her trip, and with weeks to spare! Thank you for your generous support. Any donations that are received now will be applied to the purchase of medical supplies and clothing for the Ukrainian orphans. Please continue to remember Pam and her team in prayer as she makes her preparations and completes her mission. Again, thank you. - TRS


APPALACHIAN WEEKEND

Some of you may have wondered why you’ve not yet heard anything regarding Appalachian Weekend. By March we’ve usually tried to pique your interest so you’ll be sure to attend.

At this point, we’re examining the best way to put on the event. Our usual date, the last Friday and Saturday in September, will coincide with the Georgia Literary Festival, which annually moves from town to town. This year, the Literary Festival will be held in Blue Ridge. We don’t want folks to miss out on the Literary Festival to attend Appalachian Weekend, and vice versa. So, stay tuned for what’s in store for this year’s Appalachian Weekend. We’ll be sure to give you plenty of advanced notice. - TRS

THE WOMEN’S SPHERE WAS REVISITED

And what a delightful, insightful journey! Dr. Bill Leonard gave an excellent presentation to the crowd that had gathered on the clear, cool, mountain evening. Blue Ridge Grass impressed us all with their wonderful musical talents. It was a fabulous event, and we hope you’ll go ahead and mark your calendars so you won’t miss next year’s Helen Lewis Lecture: Friday, March 7, 2008. It’s always the first Friday in March. Details to follow. - TRS

NEXT PREACHING WORKSHOP

Our next preaching workshop will be October 1, 2007. Registration for this workshop is now open – so you may register now by calling or emailing the Center.

The good news is we should be able to accommodate more attendees, as the next workshop will be held at the brand new Cherry Log Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) building. It’s still being constructed, but the paint should be dry by October 1.

All that said…don’t underestimate the rate at which these workshops fill up! For prior workshops, our waiting lists have been bulging just a couple of months after registration opens. We’ve already had 22 sign up for the fall event, immediately after this month’s workshop!

The topic for October: “Same Time Next Year” - preaching the same sermon to the same people on the same Sunday every year. - TRS

A SPECIAL THANKS

Our hats are off to two organizations for their grant funding of our Children’s Enrichment Program.

We received a $5,000 grant from the Independent Presbyterian Church Foundation in Birmingham, Alabama.

We also received a $3,000 grant from the Missions Committee of Big Canoe Chapel, a group who learned of the work we were doing with the Children’s Enrichment Program and Story Express, wanted to know more, and decided to partner with us in this service.

We are very grateful for this support. -TRS