| News
Archive - Article 46
Operation Compassion Brings Hope to Indy Neighborhood
9/17/02
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Children
waiting to "squirt" firehose. |
After months of planning and preparation, Tuesday afternoon,
August 6th, 2002, became a time of hope and blessing to the Christian
Park area of Indianapolis, Indiana. Approximately 2,000 children
and adults turned out to the neighborhood park for a block party
full of fun, fellowship and food.
The Christian Park Action Committee (neighborhood association),
Indianapolis Police Department, Trinity Fellowship Church of God
and Operation Compassion partnered together for the national Police
Night Out. This program designed to bring communities together
to meet each other and the local police officers in a non-threatening
environment.
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Toys to
be given away.
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Throughout the city of Indianapolis, approximately forty community
block parties were occurring. According to Police Chief Jerry
Barker, the Christian Park outing was the largest and best attended.
In addition to the great turn out from the community, many of
the beat officers came as well as the both Deputy Chiefs and
Chief Jerry Barker. The community association also invited the
fire department and the Fire Chief arranged for a pumper fire
truck to be displayed.
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Hundreds
of children and
adults participate.
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Operation Compassion delivered a truck full of chips, drinks
and toys for the event to compliment the hot dogs donated by
Hebrew National. Paul Deitzel of Servant Hands Ministries brought
seven inflatable rides for all the children to enjoy. Jimmy
Jones of Christ Central Ministries shared a Christ based program
complete
with drama, mime and Emma’s Kids choir from Africa.
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Dr. John
D. Nichols, President, Operation compassion sits among
the children during Bible story.
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Trinity Fellowship Church of God under the leadership of Pastor
Ronald Reagan was instrumental in advertising this event throughout
the neighborhood. For the past twenty-eight years, Pastor Reagan
and Trinity Fellowship have been making an impact in this community
through day care, a Christian school, summer camp programs and
an active church. Today, as Pastor Reagan and his staff worked
the crowd, smiles broke out on the faces of the people they approached.
It was apparent Pastor Reagan and Trinity Fellowship was leading
this community to a better day.
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Emma's Kids
Choir from
Africa prepare to sing.
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Exciting! Unbelievable! Tremendous! Wonderful! Were some of the
words used to describe the Christian Park block party. According
to Police Chief Jerry Barker, “This is the biggest block
party ever in this area. I do not see how it could be better!” Dr.
John D. Nichols, president of Operation Compassion, was overwhelmed
by the success of the event. “This illustrates what can
happen when people are empowered with hope and resources. Lives
can be changed and improved,” according to Nichols.
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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