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News
Archive - Article 42
First American Dream Center Benefits from Unprecedented
Partnerships
5/31/02
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Volunteers
praying during
dedication of FADC |
For one year leading to the dedicatory event, David Lorency, International
Field Director and his staff at Operation Compassion worked feverishly
to put together a celebration of untold proportions. The beneficiaries
of this weeklong celebration would be the Indian Nations of the
Southwest, in particular, the Navajo Nation. No one knew what the
exact outcome would be as everyone began to gather in Gallup, NM
on April 30, 2002. However, as the week and the event began to unfold,
it became evident right from the start that something special was
happening – partnerships!
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Hugh &
Pat Faulds, volunteers from Arizona |
Never before in the history of Operation Compassion has so many
agencies partnered on a single project. With amazement, four food
relief agencies and two volunteer based agencies pooled their resources
to make an impact on one of the poorest segments of the American
population.
Several weeks prior to the event, Operation Compassion began sending
semi loads of fifty-pound food boxes, bottled water, clothes, juices,
chips, candy and toys to the newly built warehouse to be dedicated
as the First American Dream Center. In fact, thirteen semis transferred
product from Operation Compassion warehouses in the east to Gallup,
NM.
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Feed the
Children semi leaving
the FADC unloaded. |
From that beginning, other agencies started joining the effort.
Larry Jones, President of Feed the Children sent a semi load of
food boxes and bottled water for the dedication event. In fact,
one of the semis actually came on Thursday during the week adding
excitement and a sense of expectancy. Joann Orff of Feed the Children
was instrumental in providing the logistics for the semis.
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James &
Sharon Rodgers, Director FACD with Carey Ketchum, Director,
Northern Arizona Food Bank. |
Dave Phillips, President of Children’s Hunger Fund came on
board with much needed products for the dedication. A semi loaded
with food boxes was delivered to the Dream Center adding more excitement
as the Navajo began to realize for the first time that the Dream
Center was not a mere dream or broken promise but a reality from
people who care about them and their future.
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Navajo families
gathering for
food distribution. |
Then on Friday, a semi pulled into the dream Center dock from Northern
Arizona Food Bank. Carey Ketchum, Director had arranged for a semi
of bottled water and a variety of food to be delivered. The best
of his delivery came at the last minute. As the staff of the Food
Bank was loading our truck, they received a small donation of oranges
and cherry tomatoes. In the spirit of generosity, they loaded those
products into our semi and the Navajo enjoyed fresh produce.
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| Douglas
Cline and David Lorency observe volunteers loading
food for Navajo families. |
It was simply amazing to watch as the food relief agencies partnered
to provide more than 1,200 Navajo families with fifty-pound food
boxes, bottled water, juice, chips, snacks, fresh produce, clothes,
candy and countless of miscellaneous food items that were included.
However, that is only the beginning of the story. With product
coming in from all over the country, how was it going to be handled
and distributed without chaos reigning? The answer was simple –
volunteers!
Orville Hagan, International Director, Church of God Evangelism
and Home Missions, was instrumental in acquiring the land for the
First American Dream Center. Also, he opened the door of cooperation
between Operation Compassion and Douglas Cline, Director, Southwest
Indian Ministries. Doug Cline made his staff and support personnel
available to work in every area from the construction of the Dream
Center to distribution of the food. He allowed his offices, campground
and equipment to be used whenever necessary.
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Ray Hughes,
Jr., Jimmy Jones and Leonard Albert in FADC warehouse. |
About six months prior to the dedicatory events, Leonard Albert,
International Director, Church of God Lay Ministries, had a brainstorm
for initiating a new program for volunteers – Life Builders
Matthew 25 Men! His idea was so simple it had to work. Bring men
together from all walks of life, from around the country and utilize
them as a team to go into areas of extreme poverty. These men would
fund their trips, work renovating or repairing homes, doing whatever
needed to be done to lift these families out of their poverty. The
kick off would be the First American Dream Center Dedication!
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Dr. John
D. Nichols, President, Operation Compassion is
praying during dedication. |
During the entire week men poured in from all over the country,
converging on Gallup, NM and the Dream Center. There were plenty
of men and some women that worked all week in preparation for the
distribution of food on Saturday.
When Dr. John D. Nichols, President, Operation Compassion and the
Board of Directors cast a vision and made financial provision for
this ministry, they had no idea of the outcome. More than a year
later, it has become evident that their vision was a catalyst for
bringing people and agencies together to profoundly affect a forgotten
people.
Together we celebrate! Not only for the dedication of Operation
Compassion First American Dream Center but for the partnerships
that were forged. In one week, for the Navajo Nation, six agencies
came together to make a difference.
Tim Burdashaw
Communications Coordinator
Anyone interested in donating finances or products or providing
a corporate lead may contact:
Operation Compassion
David Lorency, President
114 Stuart Road, NE
Suite 370
Cleveland, TN 37312
423.728.3932 - Office
423.596.4200 - Fax
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