Time goes by in the blink of an eye….or so they say. It's hard to realize 20 years have passed since the concept of Grace Place first came to light in October 1991, when 16 people were served that first meal.
Realizing there were people sleeping on benches and in the woods, in October 1991 people from local churches met at St. Patrick Church to discuss a possible solution. The Lord took us by the hand and led us all the way. It has been an overwhelming display of camaraderie and goodwill of churches working together with the theme that it is far richer to give than to receive. By the end of September 2011, 70,540 meals had been served, serving just one day a week.
Mayor Wayne Dougherty and his wife, Mary, joined in our 20th anniversary celebration. Mayor Dougherty presented a citation to Grace Place for our work in the community, and I appreciate the kind words Vernon Stearn said about me, Mary Wettig, and about my leadership in helping to form the organization into what it is.
To give credit where it's really due, one man – Bob Waters – planted the seed to get action started. Bob, 90, and his wife, Lou, were at the 20th anniversary celebration.
There is one ingredient that sets Grace Place apart: The volunteers have such a good time. We enjoy each other's company and operate under guidelines that make sense and keep the ministry running smoothly.
With 20 years to celebrate, we gathered for a luncheon catered by Donny Forsythe that was absolutely delicious. We were entertained by Vernon Stearn and Bynum Simmons. Vernon and his granddaughter, Erica Jablecki, joined in song and dance. Erica moved us all with "I Believe." Group singing included "Amazing Grace" and "God Bless America."
With not enough time to thank them all, I was able to thank a sampling of the volunteers, including Sandy Krass, Dolly Goebel, Janet Krakrawski, Judy Plitt, Pattie Ford, Ed Wolbert, Vernon and Sue Stearn and Clem Dean for the countless hours they have devoted. It takes so many hands to make their goodwill ship float, and they thanked God for all of them and know he blesses them in his/her own way.
Don Osman, speaking for SMILES and its student members, said Grace Place is one of favorite experiences of the year for the Havre de Grace High School student service club. Don also pointed out that our Grace Place volunteers are excellent mentors to SMILES students. Julie Downer, representing the Soroptimists, said her organization was happy to include Grace Place as one of the groups it helps and that she ultimately joined Grace Place.
The board of directors is comprised of President Vernon Stearn, Vice President Pattie Ford, Coordinator Mary Wettig, Assistant Coordinator Clem Dean, Secretary Sandy Krass, Treasurer Judy Plitt, Resource Coordinator Janet Lralowski and Storage Director Ed Woldbert
Churches and their liaisons include First Baptist Church, Kim Donaldson; First Christian, Dolly Goebel; St. James AME, Pattie Ford; St. Patrick, Flory Jordan, Judy Plitt and Sandy Krass; St. John, Nadine Anderson, who replaced Lillian Burch, who served with the starting crew; HdG Presbyterian, Jennifer Cibello; HdG United Methodist, Lynn Colbourn and Donna Gruber; Grace Reformed Episcopal, Shirley Ishaugh and Madlyn Kalinoski; and United Methodist Churches of Level, Hopewell, Wesleyan Chapel and Rock Run, Linda Shifflett, who replaced Sue Stearn, who served since the beginning.
Food pickup drivers are Ed Wolbert, Louise Silsby, Zeda Ford, Bill Gunn, John Vitak, Harold Childers, Lynn Burcham, Bill Chase, Harry Gruber, Barney Frew, Dale Hash, Janice Hash and Dan Hilliard.
Last but most importantly, Grace Place depends on many organizations that routinely donate to it, including Mars, Weis, Panera, VFW, Scouts, the Post office, Young at Heart, Curves, Huber, food drives and monetary backing from supporting churches of Grace Place, to mention just a few.
Grace Place depends on all those sources to operate. The economy crunch has made a serious impact on the organization. Just as the number of guests who come for meals increases (average 80 to 125), our income has dropped dramatically.
Volunteers pray that as the hand of the Lord has kept them able to function with donations, he will prompt people to see the need and come forward with the solution. They ask organizations and individuals to join this effort to help those who temporarily need a "hand up" to reach out to us so they can continue this outreach ministry.
Our sincere gratitude to all who have helped us.
Mary Wettig, Grace Place, P.O. Box 371, Havre de Grace, Md. 21078.