By: Curtis Baker
As we draw close to Christmas, I would like to take short break from my articles on the letter to Romans to say a word or two about an opportunity you have to give back to your community here in Slaton. Christmas, of course, is a wonderful time for sharing presents among our loved ones, but it’s also a great time to give to worthy organizations that serve our community. Something about this time of years helps us to remember people that are in need and turns our attention towards ways we might be able to assist them in the generosity of our spirits. Giving to local organizations who serve those in need is one great way to express that generosity. So in the spirit of the Christmas season, I would like to share an opportunity with you by telling you a little about the Mercy Ministry Slaton Area Endowment.
For those of you who attended our Fourth of July celebration in the park this last summer, you may recall that the Mercy Ministry Slaton Area Endowment awarded over $5,000 in grants to various organizations in our community. These included such vital programs as: “The Santa Red and Blue” with the Slaton EMS; Mercy Manna; The Slaton Senior Citizens Center Meals on Wheels Program; The Slaton Junior and Senior High Choir; the Slaton Legacy Organization, and the Weekend Snack Sack program. Most of these organizations were granted up to $1,000 in funds and were greatly blessed by the Slaton Area Endowment. With your help we plan on giving away even more grants next year, in the hope that many of our local organizations can be assisted in their help of those in need. Slaton is a wonderful community that tries to look out for its fellow citizens, and this is one great way that we can have a present impact, as well as a lasting influence for good.
To tell you a little bit about the organization itself, the Mercy Ministries Slaton Area Endowment is an affiliate of the Lubbock Area foundation, that seeks to specially serve Slaton and the immediate surrounding area. During our founding year as a board, $50,000 of matching funds were promised to us if we could raise an initial $100,000. With your help, we were able to meet and exceed that goal, and are looking for ways in the future to increase that fund for the benefit of Slaton area organizations. Gifts both large and small helped to create this fund, and gifts of all shapes and sizes will help sustain it in the future. The Endowment is not the creation of any one organization, or of any one church, but is made up of board members from throughout our community who seek ways to better serve Slaton and its surrounding area. Currently our board is made up of 15 members, including: Curtis Baker, Kevin Buxkemper, Richard Edwards, David Ehler, Dubbin Englund, David Gossett, Cleve Kerby, Roger Kitten, Darris Linder, Mark Meurer, Wayne Schilling, Carla Stricklin, Sherrell Wilson, Shirley Tucker, and Ann Marie Wright.
As you think of your end of year donations, we ask that you keep the Mercy Ministry Slaton Area Endowment in mind. There are a number of ways to give. Cash donations of any size is the easiest way to give, but we also have the ability to receive securities, stock, real estate, life insurance, wills, and charitable trusts. There are so many ways that you can benefit Slaton with this fund, and no gift is too small. Each dollar goes toward making Slaton a better place, both now and in the future. Our hope is that you will consider us this Christmas season as you seek to help those organizations who provide for the needs in our community.
If you would like to give, or to have more information about the Slaton Area Endowment, you can contact us in one of several ways. You can write to us at P.O. Box 91, Slaton, TX 79364. You can visit our website at www.mercyslatonendowment.org, or you can call Mark Meurer at (806)789-8456.
As a member of the board, I want to wish everyone of you a very Merry Christmas. I thank you in advance for your generosity toward the community of Slaton!
(curtisbaker@hotmail.com) Write to: P.O. Box 157, Slaton, TX 79364
