Our extended Northland family in Ponce Inlet has been serving King Jesus by engaging their neighbors in mission work to help foster children.
Northland’s contingent on Florida’s East Coast welcomed 50 ladies on Thursday from all over the community to its 3rd Annual Afternoon Tea and charity raffle.
Peggy Hawkins of Northland’s Ponce Inlet team said the raffle raised $1,325. All prizes were donated by businesses and individuals throughout the community. Backpacks, suitcases, and other necessities also were collected at the tea.
The donations were given to the nonprofit organization 1 Ohana 1 Community to bless children—infants through those age 18—whom authorities remove from their homes due to family emergencies and place in foster care.
The donations will help children transition during a season of crisis.
“The DCF team notifies 1 Ohana of the age, clothing size, and sex of the child, and they then prepare an emergency package for that child,” Peggy explained.
“Each child receives a week’s worth of clothing, a new pair of shoes, a quilt or blanket, and toiletries in either a suitcase or backpack that they can then call their own.”
The guest speaker at the tea was Kris Sanders, executive director of the organization, which serves Volusia and Putnam counties.
While 1 Ohana 1 Community steps in to help children during urgent situations, the nonprofit also regularly meets the needs of foster parents, foster families, biological parents reunifying with their family, and teens aging out of foster care.
Those wishing to donate money, time, or items for the emergency packages may choose from several options available at the 1 Ohana 1 Community online giving page.
The tea was just one event staged by the active Ponce Inlet family. Recently they welcomed many newcomers to their Easter service, which was followed by a potluck brunch. The team’s next outreach is an annual backpack drive to help students at a local elementary school.
Northland services in Ponce Inlet are at 9am on Sundays. Contact Joe for details.
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