NETWORK - NEWS
NETWORK Honors its Supporters and Achievements
January 15, 2009-- NETWORK of Community Ministries hosted its Annual Convocation for 72 corporate members and a host of Richardson elite, to celebrate 2008 achievements and election of new board members. Receiving the “Crystal of Distinction” award for outstanding service on behalf of NETWORK were: Tom Purcell of Spring Valley United Methodist Church, Joette Lyles ,long time NETWORK volunteer, of First Baptist Church of Richardson and Sue Reed, NETWORK’s Volunteer Coordinator and Doug Freeman, director of The Seniors’ Net.
Two corporations were the recipient of the “Above and Beyond” award. View Point Bank’s Mary Bedosky, Lewis George and Kim Weaver-McDonald, gave up their Saturdays to teach our Financial Literacy Empowerment Classes. This class graduated 34 NETWORK clients who now have basic household finance skills. This first series of classes was a step in fulfilling our five year plan. The second recipient was TXU Energy for its major support in providing emergency assistance. TXU Energy is also a major supporter of the Starry, Starry Night Gala.
Dr. Clayton Oliphint, whose devoted tenure as NETWORK’s Board Chairman, ended with the convocation received the “Outstanding Service” award for his dedication and leadership. “I have been blessed to see the way various entities and individuals from across the area come together in a network of care to offer help and hope to those in need,” stated Dr. Oliphint. “Because of the generous spirit of those in our community NETWORK is able to offer services to people across the RISD service area.”
“2008 was an extraordinary year for NETWORK,” stated Dr.Clayton Oliphint, “a record 38,170 individuals and 8,575 families received NETWORK’s support.”
NETWORK had exceptional 2008 outcomes: the Adolescent and Children’s Clinic, handled the healthcare needs of 412 uninsured children referred from RISD; the Seniors’ Net was there for 3,049 homebound seniors; the Trinity Wellness Clinic provided preventive health maintenance to 409 elderly; and Emergency Services assisted 34,300 with rent, temporary housing, food, utilities, prescriptions, transportation, and counseling.
Jack Lyles, NETWORK Board Vice President, spoke about the thousands who came hungry to NETWORK during last year. Amidst all of the 2008 struggles, NETWORK’s food pantry remained stocked and was able to give food to all in need. NETWORK was able to feed 26,761 during the year. Children, youth, adults and seniors did not go hungry because of being food insecure. NETWORK fed them, distributing 486,007 pounds of food.
Mr. Lyles further commented on the extraordinary partnership with RISD that again led to more unprecedented benefits for children and youth: 2,315 received school supplies to start the academic year and a record 2,058 received toys through the NETWORK Santa Project.
“NETWORK helped thousands make through 2008. That alone is the ultimate and best accomplishment a charity can have that performs the kind of services that NETWORK does,” stated Vice President Lyles in his convocation address.
New NETWORK Board Members are: Bobby Seago, James Franklin, Jim Henderson, Rev. Tom Gibbons, Rev. Ken Williams, Joy Anderson, Linda Reed and Doris Sosebee and Rev. Bill Cavanaugh of the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany was elected as Board Chairman. Inductees into the NETWORK Board Alumni Association were: Dr. Clayton Oliphint, Zee Adams, Nancy Viamonte, Nancy Rohm, and Steve Benson.
The NETWORK of Community Ministries, founded in 1985, is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to caring, coaching and empowering neighbors in need as they seek an improved quality of life. NETWORK also offers help through programs, which include the Adolescent and Children’s Clinic, Emergency Services, and the Seniors’ Net. NETWORK is located at 741 S. Sherman, Richardson, TX75081.
