El Dorado Springs Festival of Charity

Festival of Charity Features Recognitions, Entertainment, Food, and Fun

The second annual Festival of Charity, sponsored by West Central Missouri Community Action Agency, will be held Thursday September 22 from 3 pm to 7 pm in El Dorado Springs at the Liston Center, 508 North Main. Highlighting the event is recognition of two outstanding Cedar County organizations, the Ministerial Alliance in El Dorado Springs, and the Ministerial Alliance in Stockton. In addition, entertainment, food trucks, family games, a silent auction, and a 50/50 raffle will be included in the evening’s activities.

The event’s purpose is to spotlight and honor charitable organizations and community supporters throughout the region. West Central President and CEO Chris Thompson commented, “We look forward to welcoming partner organizations, representatives of city governments, charitable groups, and families in the community.”

Special recognition this year at Festival of Charity is being given to the Stockton Ministerial Alliance and the El Dorado Springs Ministerial Alliance. Each of these organizations will receive a $500 contribution to support their work. The Stockton Ministerial Alliance includes representatives from eight churches. Funding for their work in the community is supported by the SAMA Thrift store, and includes the SAMA Community Food Pantry (located in the same building), and benefit activities such as providing emergency food, rental assistance, medical, and water/utility funds. They are also instrumental in coordinating the Stockton Back To School Fair. Michael Tunnell, President of the Alliance, said, “The Ministerial Alliance is a great way for the churches to come together in service to provide both spiritual and physical needs. Everyone works well together, and it is rewarding to be able to do this work.”

The El Dorado Springs Ministerial Alliance currently includes representatives from eight churches. Community work includes support of the Hope Center Community Food Pantry, which serves 100 families weekly and provides commodities to 125 families. They also support the community Diaper Pantry, and provide on-going assistance to individuals and families for emergency needs. The group continues to look for new ministry opportunities, and have plans to add the “Garden of Hope” next year in partnership with the El Dorado Springs FFA Chapter. The new project will be a community garden to supplement foods available to the community from the Hope Center. Treasurer Chad Daniel commented, “I appreciate how the churches have come together. They all work hard to address food insecurity and to prioritize basic needs in the community.”

Festival of Charity Entertainment will be provided from 3-6 pm by Aaron Franklin and Charlie Davison, members of Centerline. El Dorado’s own Ginelle Esry will be featured from 6 -7 pm

Silent auction items include quilts, gift baskets, tickets to several shows and zoos, an oil painting, duck call, and many other items. Family games and a bounce house will be provided by individual West Central unit, with prizes and other family fun. Food trucks, including Dusty Bob’s from Bolivar and Bella’ Walking Tacos, will be available for the evening’s dinner options.

The drawing for the event’s 50/50 raffle will also take place. Raffle tickets are still available, and may be purchased on site at the Festival. The winning pot is currently over $3,000. In addition, organizations in attendance will be invited to enter a special drawing for $500 to support their work, and every representative gets an entry on behalf of their group.

For additional information about this year’s Festival of Charity, visit the West Central Facebook page or www.wcmcaa.org, or contact Debbie Vickers, [email protected].

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