March 18, 2021 - During a Chamber ribbon cutting held March 18th, Shelby County Outreach Ministries Executive Director Sherry Harding gave much thanks and appreciation to those who have supported them during their construction project to repair major damage from Hurricane Laura which hit in late August of 2020.
The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and its ambassadors attended the ribbon cutting sharing their support and congratulations. Ambassador President Stephanie Elswick started the event, "I would like to congratulate everyone that is responsible for the Unique Boutique opening again. From all of the ambassadors to you, we are so proud, so proud of you." She then read a quote, "God is working things out for you even if you don't feel it. Have faith and be thankful. Where faith and hope grows, miracles happen."
Harding then spoke about the history of the non-profit organization, Shelby County Outreach Ministries, Inc., which has been in operation for over 24 years serving the Community. She gave statistics for 2020, "We issued over 15,000 meals to our senior citizens. We have given out 2,386 emergency food boxes which feed over 5,146 people just through our emergency food boxes. And we met over 2,885 needs of the people in this community. It costs us over $300,000 to run our programs every year. As everyone knows, last year was challenging. We survived on fundraisers and donations, and everyone can understand that was challenging last year and we still deal with some challenges this year. But it is just amazing, just like God in our precious word how Jesus took the bread and the fish and multiplied it... He's multiplied it here."
Harding gave special thanks to her wonderful staff at the Unique Boutique who are Floye Parker (Program Director), Shirley Blue, and Thea Perkins. She gave thanks to the Shelby County Outreach Ministries Board of Directors who are Larry Cruse, President; Sammy Arnold, Vice President; Amy Clouse, Secretary; Ann Blackwell, Treasurer; and board members Donna Monroe, Larry Byrd, Karen Jones, Felecia Thompson, Kristie McClelland, and Donald Monroe.
She also recognized Cody Russell with Texas Roof Support, "Cody Russell has been our contractor over this whole ordeal and, we lost everything guys, we basically had to start from the floor up. So thank you Cody for all the extra work. He has really been a blessing to us."
From left: Tim Wulf, Sammy Arnold, Sherry Harding, Lion's Club President Alan Ricketson, Danny Paul Windham, and Bobby Pig.
Plaques of appreciation were presented to organizations who helped with the recovery efforts. The 'Servants Heart Award' was presented to the Lions Club for their donation. She added about the Lions Club, "Because of their efforts, we're going to be able to continue to feed the hungry and assist the needy." She read a scripture she had printed on the plaque, "In the same way let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
Other 'Servant's Heart Award' plaques of appreciation were made for the T.L.L. Temple Foundation and The United Way who both contributed to the deductible for the repairs.
The last plaque presented by Harding honored the beginnings of Outreach Ministries, "I don't feel that it would be appropriate if I didn't acknowledge Ms. Pam White who started this program many years ago. And so I called it the 'Hall of Fame Award' and our motto striving to be the hands and heart of Christ and as everyone knows she passed away at 52 years old. So today we acknowledge her and honor her for all of her efforts. And I thank God for the opportunity to serve the people in this community and our prayer is that this place will continue to help those in need."
Cody Russell, Texas Roof Support
