The "Ripple Effect - See the Return" Story

It was an ordinary day. Day after the big "Phonathon" at the PRC. The PRC is the Parish Resource Center in Lancaster, PA where my wife Carol works. Every year during March, the PRC conducts its annual "Phonathon", giving supporters the chance to help make a difference in area churches. The theme for giving this year is "The Ripple Effect - See The Return." The following is from their website: Throughout the years, The Parish Resource Center has been blessed by the generosity of many individuals, businesses, foundations, and organizations. We are humbled and grateful for the various ways our good friends have honored the work we do by contributing financial support. If you received a letter asking you to participate in our "Phonathon", please consider supporting us in building strong congregations, which in turn, will enhance our community’s quality of life.Well, those people that received a letter a few weeks ago, and didn't return an envelope with a pledge, are getting a call to make sure they got the mailing. My wife has been busy for weeks, no, make that months, preparing for this annual event. The "Phonathon" lasts two evenings, with volunteers making the calls to people who have used the center or have given in the past to the center. Hundreds of calls have to be made. Dave L., the President of the PRC,which is located on Community Way, addressed the volunteers about the theme and their mission and goal for the evening and then led them in prayer. Hey, they need all the prayers they can get, since it is a tough job asking people for money in a depressed economy. The goal for the "Phonathon" this year was set at $13,000. The volunteers are usually Board Members of the PRC or friends and employees of the center. Carol asked me if I wanted to help again this year,and I became a volunteer. I made calls for a few years, but I'm not one who's good at asking people for money, so this year I was chief photographer and in charge of making sure that the buffet table was filled with goodies. That is certainly something I can handle. The second evening I did pitch in and address envelopes and put postage on the envelopes. Well, tonight I am sitting at home, helping Carol put the finishing touches on the letters that are to be mailed to the people that weren't home during the "Phonathon" or who have Caller ID on their phone and chose not to answer the phone. We always plan our vacations around the "Phonathon", since it is one of the biggest income producing events of the year for the PRC and Carol is a needed part of the event. The goals they set are realistic goals and are usually met or almost met. The letters we are finishing will be a big part of the final amount. Visit the PRC's website or maybe you are interested in their free Church Building Expo on April 9, 2011 at Hempfield UMC, 3050 Marietta Ave., Lancaster. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - Photos from the top are: preparing for the "Phonathon" 2011, Parish Resource Center at 633 Community Way, poster of the theme for the 2011 "Phonathon", Betty F. who is a resource worker at the PRC making calls, my wife Carol and her boss Dave L., and LDub stuffing envelopes.