In an ongoing effort to aid in the hope of combating certain childhood diseases, churches across the country have been given an opportunity to unite as one body of believers to help children battling pediatric cancer, sickle cell and other life-threatening diseases.
These efforts are realized through the St Jude Children's Research Hospital’s Sunday of Hope fundraising campaign event.
Recently, the members of Bell Grove Missionary Baptist Church decided to partner with St Jude through its Sunday of Hope campaign by digging deep to give.
The appeal for funds campaign–spearheaded by members of the Mother's Ministry and the Prayer Ministry and carried out within the membership–was rousingly supported.
The Bell Grove family was able to present a $7,500 check to St Jude as a result of its special giving.
In addition to the obvious outcome of helping others, their generosity has earned them the Sunday of Hope Award as the “top fundraising church” of the year.
The Memphis-based medical center encourages individuals and organizations to contribute monetarily to their efforts to provide for families of children who become patients of the facility.
Since it's inception in 1962, St Jude has maintained that families should never have to worry about receiving a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food, but instead keep their focus on the health and well-being of their child.
Seven Swarn, senior specialist, programs experiential and Shermarco Elem, project manager, St Jude Children's Research Hospital traveled to the historic Bell Grove Church to present the award on Sunday during the 11:00 a.m. worship service.
Swarn expressed the hospital's gratitude to the membership for their generosity during her remarks.
“Thank you for being a beacon of hope for the kids of St Jude,” she said.
Swarn briefly expounded on the hospital's history and success over the years. She mentioned that when the hospital first opened, childhood cancer was considered to be incurable; however, since that time the hospital has pushed it's overall survival rate from 20% to 80%.
Swarn had been scheduled to come and collect the contribution during the latter part of December, but inclement weather in Memphis and later in the Delta impeded her travel.
