‘Kool Kars’ Show to Benefit Emanuel Hospital

TURLOCK, CA (August 25, 2011) – A hot rod charity event on Saturday, September 17, will raise funds to benefit Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock as well as the Parent Resource Center in Modesto.

The “Kool Kars for Charity” car show will begin at 10 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m. at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds in Turlock. Admission is free for spectators.

More than $7,500 was raised during last year’s event, according to an article in the Merced Sun-Star newspaper. That show included more than 350 hot rods, street rods and muscle cars on display.

This year’s show already has 200 pre-entries. Cars can be pre-registered or entered the morning of the show, and everyone who enters a car will receive a free tri-tip lunch for two with all the fixings.

Emanuel Medical Center is operated by the Covenant Board of Benevolence on behalf of the Evangelical Covenant Church.

Conference Focuses on Anti-Trafficking Initiatives

STRATHMORE, AB (August 25, 2011) – Human trafficking is the theme of this year’s Justice Tapestry conference hosted by Hope Community Covenant Church on August 27 and 28.

Conference participants are expected to come from across southern Alberta, individuals who share a concern for justice and desire to learn more about confronting injustice and caring for victims of abuse.

Justice Tapestry runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on August 27 with a final gathering at 10 a.m. on August 28.

“We want to raise awareness about trafficking,” says Strathmore resident Stephen Waldschmidt in an article appearing in the Strathmore Standard newspaper. “People are more aware of it happening in Thailand and Cambodia or Eastern Europe, but a good number of those women end up in North America,” he is quoted as saying. He says estimates suggest 1,000 women are trafficked into Canada each year.

“I think for people who haven’t maybe heard about human trafficking, this would be a way for them to find some practical ways to take action,” Waldschmidt says of the conference.

Registration on the opening day of the conference is $45. For more information, email Justice Tapestry Conference or visit the Hope Community website.

Churches Provide Backpacks, Supplies for School Kids

MONTECITO, CA (August 25, 2011) – Montecito Covenant Church is one of four congregations that have collaborated to provide more than 350 backpacks filled with school supplies s part of the Peoples’ Self-Help Housing initiative.

More than 125 individuals participated in packing the supplies, including representatives from the other three partnering churches – All Saints-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, El Montecito Presbyterian Church, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church.

Backpacks and school supplies valued at more than $20,000 were donated by the four churches and their parishioners. Peoples’ Self-Help Housing delivered the backpacks to children in the organization’s affordable housing developments.

“The leadership and parishioners of the four churches are truly grateful for this opportunity to serve these local children of lower income families, through Peoples’ Self-Help Housing, and to help guarantee that they have the tools necessary to thrive in their school environments,” said Montecito Covenant Church Senior Pastor Don Johnson, speaking on behalf of the four churches. “Every backpack received a written blessing from one of the 125 volunteers who came out to work on this project.”

Peoples’ Self-Help Housing addresses affordable housing needs on the Central Coast, creating self-help home ownership opportunities, quality low-income rental housing, as well as youth education, health and community services to low-income families, seniors, and special needs groups.