September 26, 2011
Interfaith Compassion Ministries
The needs of those less fortunate are often overlooked in the Oxford community in the Lafayette County area where there is so much wealth and fortune. Poverty, along with drug and alcohol addiction is rampant in many places in the South, and Oxford, is no exception. There are countless ways to positively help people in need. Rob Treppendahl, Bowman Hitchens, and Max Zoghbi are examples to look at as to just what creative things can be done. The Oxford, MS Board of Alderman want to adopt a proclamation honoring them for the $20,000 they raised for Interfaith Compassion Ministries by kayaking the entire Mississippi River. Their actions, which they performed over the summer, have been turning heads due to the diligence and hard work they had to endure. The length of the Mississippi River is approximately 2,320 miles. These three hardworking guys combined a passion of many at Ole Miss with the idea of helping others, and got beaming results.
Taylor Brasher, an Ole Miss student, was attending “The Orchard,” a church in Oxford, when the idea was pitched to the congregation.
Taylor, “Trying to fathom the grueling experience of kayaking 2,320 miles is something that I cannot wrap my mind around, Brasher said. What Rob, Bowman, and Max did this summer was creative and very encouraging.”
The organization that the three kayaked for this summer is Interfaith Compassion Ministries, which provides for the needs of others by raising money for those less fortunate and for providing for families with drug and alcohol problems within their family.
“It is a collaborative effort among local churches to provide assistance with basic needs such as rent, utilities, and prescription drug program in a centralized location to individuals in Lafayette County who face crisis situations.” Says the front page of the Interfaith Compassion Ministry website.
The Ministries’ slogan is a powerful one, say some Oxford residents:
“Underneath everything we are.
Underneath everything we do, we are people.
Connected, Independent, United.
And when we reach out a hand to one,
We influence the condition of all.
That’s what it means to LIVE UNITED…”
The $20,000 raised will go toward the goals of Interfaith.
Josh Gregory, a regular at the Orchard, said,
“It would be great for Rob, Bowman, and Max to be honored for what they did this summer. They are all three very humble guys and I guarantee you that their biggest reward was the feeling they got from helping others in our community and our area.”
Having people like Max, Rob, and Bowman in our Oxford community is something that is beneficial in more ways than one. Their actions will open new doors for volunteer services in our area and will allow more, less fortunate people to feel a happiness that they may usually never feel. The 2350 miles traveled is something that the three guys will never forget. What came from their journey will benefit many people, which will ultimately fulfill the goal set out my Interfaith Compassion Ministries…to live united.
Word Count: 511 words.
Sources: Taylor Brasher: (615) 948-9350/ email: tbrasher44@aol.com
Josh Gregory: (615) 714-2793
Interfaith Compassion Ministries: 440 N. Lamar Blvd., Site 5
Oxford, MS 38655
Phone: (662) 236-4265
No comments:
Post a Comment