Love INC banquet will share stories about community
The second annual Love INC fundraiser banquet on Saturday, Sept. 28 will feature plenty of food and some stories from both those who have been helped by the organization and the volunteers who make it go.
Since its inception five years ago, Love In the Name of Christ has turned its attention toward helping families make a new start in life.
Thus it is appropriate that “Making All Things New” is the theme for this year’s annual banquet and fundraising evening.
The public is invited to attend the second annual Love INC fundraising banquet, which will take place Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Harvest Ridge expo center, west of Millersburg.
Doors will open at 5 p.m., and patrons are invited to come and explore everything Love INC has been involved with in the community. There will be many displays set up, and there also will be a silent auction where people can bid on gifts.
Following a fully catered meal, Love INC officials will share updates on where the greater Holmes County organization has been in its development and where it plans to go in the future.
“We are looking forward to our second fundraiser banquet as a means to celebrate what God has been doing in the community and in the churches through Love INC,” executive director Vicki Conn said. “Transformation takes great effort. We would like to share the depth and extent of Love INC volunteers and highlight transforming experiences in people’s lives.”
In addition several members of the Love INC family of clients will share testimonies that Conn said will stir the hearts of those in attendance.
There will be a freewill offering, and there is no charge for this free event. Conn said they simply want people to come and experience the joy and love that is being generated by this outreach ministry and to learn more about the hopes and goals of Love INC.
Conn said getting to hear the many stories about how the community has supported Love INC and touched lives is awe-inspiring.
“It is inspiring to see how God works through people,” Conn said. “Love INC is the instrument through which God can touch lives, but it is really the many volunteers and churches who make it all happen. They are the ones with their feet on the ground doing all of the work, so it will be nice to hear their stories about how volunteering has impacted their lives.”
Conn said it is equally important to hear from the many families and individuals who have benefited from the ministry.
“Hearing how lives have been made better through our many programs is heartwarming,” Conn said. “We have seen some pretty awesome people come in here and take advantage of the programs we provide, and hopefully their stories of success will inspire other families to feel comfortable in contacting us.”
Another area of sharing will be through the marketplace connection Love INC is making. This past year has seen the organization make a concerted effort to branch out in its ministry to include area businesses that want to share in their vision of aiding others. She said it should be exciting to catch a glimpse into what some of the area business people are accomplishing in their efforts.
While it is free to the public, Love INC is asking those wanting to attend the fundraiser to call and reserve a seat so they can get a head count.
Conn said because of the generosity of area businesses that support the ministry, all of the expenses are already paid for the event, allowing them to offer the meal and the evening for free to anyone wanting to enjoy the fellowship. There will be a freewill offering during the event with all proceeds going directly back into the many Love INC programs.
“We have a lot of very generous churches, businesses and individuals who are walking with us, and their expression of love through their donations allows us to offer this event for free,” Conn said. “We don’t want to hinder anyone from coming who might be held back because of finances.”
Call Love INC at 330-473-6017 or email them at loveincofghc.com. People also can register online at www.loveincofghc.org/events.html. Also, any individuals, families, businesses or organizations who would like to donate something to the auction may do so by calling and asking for Conn.