On Wednesday, July 31, Christian Action Ministries and Pathways Project Coalition teamed up to host “Dunk 4 A Cause.” Leaders and volunteers from the two nonprofits set up a dunk tank, snacks and information tables at the Christian Associates Thrift Store parking lot at the Hwy. 76/Hwy. 13 intersection in Branson West, and members of the community either donated online or stopped by personally to get acquainted, donate to a good cause, and dunk a local community leader.
At the end of the day, $5,621 had been raised for the two groups, enabling them to take action to combat food insecurity and empower kids to be safe against trafficking as a new school year begins.
The work of these valuable nonprofit organizations overlaps significantly in that food insecurity is one area of vulnerability that is easily exploited in youth, and by working together as a community, we can help eliminate this risk. The best chance of keeping youth safe from exploitation is to address vulnerabilities and to equip kids, their caretakers, and the education professionals in their schools to recognize signs of possible trafficking and work toward prevention and early intervention.
Thanks to the following community leaders who cooled off on a warm day by being dunked for the cause!
· Josh Cherry, Hogan Land & Title
· Larry Maloney, Branson Bank
· Todd Lemoine, Kimberling City Chief of Police
· Pam Burnett, Stone County Health Department
· Ben Fischer, Reeds Spring Schools
· Burt Whaley, candidate for Missouri House of Representatives
· Tammy Kelley, Table Rock Community Bank
· Nikki Kenney, Branson Landing
· Cy Bortner, Reeds Spring Schools
· Todd Hauger, Generations Bank
· Devin Callahan, Patriot Heat & Air
· Brad Hudson, State Representative and candidate for Missouri Senate
· Wes Weber, Stone County Prosecutor
· Michelle Glenn, Table Rock Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
· Maureen Darby, State Farm Insurance
· Nancy Akromis, Arvest Bank
“We are thrilled to collaborate to provide the necessary resources to bring change,” said Veloris Juneman of Pathways Project Coalition.
For anyone new to the area or recently retired and looking for a place to get involved, or just wanting to lend a hand toward these valuable programs, both Christian Action Ministries and Pathways are great places to volunteer. CAM regularly collaborates with other area groups to provide food distribution events, and Pathways is working to establish an informative presence in area schools as well as at fall festivals and other community events. Follow either or both groups on Facebook to stay up to date on upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.
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