Convoy of Hope
- Massive volunteer effort is underway and needs
- Aug 31, 2015
- 3 min read
Most of us, when we know of someone in need, want to help. But what if we took that desire to serve and collaborated with about 900 others who felt the same way? That’s exactly what Convoy of Hope is trying to accomplish here in Sandpoint for a one-day event. In preparation for it, they are holding a Volunteer Rally October 2.
Convoy of Hope is a first responder to natural disasters worldwide. They also run a meal program for children, women’s groups and agricultural assistance to farmers in developing countries.
But their goal in Sandpoint this year is to have a day without poverty. The day is one of a myriad of events nationwide that offers free groceries, haircuts, shoes, health and dental screenings, hot meals, job assistance and family portraits – just to name a few of the things that will be available that day in a free, fun, fair-like atmosphere.
Convoy of Hope held an event in Coeur d’Alene last year with an overwhelming response. This year, there will be events in both Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene.
Eric Rust, pastor at Cedar Hills Church in Sandpoint, has ties with the Convoy of Hope’s founders since they were young. Rust had a table at the Coeur d’Alene event last year and felt there was a big enough need to have one in Sandpoint.
“I wondered, ‘What if we (the church) partnered with Convoy of Hope?’ My heart was stirred to do this,” Rust said. “There is great economic diversity here and a number of families where day to day living is a challenge.”
Rust contacted other local pastors, and they started pooling funds together for the event. Next, Vicki and Dale Jeffres were appointed as event coordinators and have been helping to plan since last year. To date, they have between 10 to 12 partner churches in addition to about 22 businesses, social services and other organizations to make this day happen.
“We have a pretty big population that’s at or below poverty level that just needs those services, but anyone can go,” Vicki Jeffres said in regards to who can attend the event.
The Convoy of Hope in Sandpoint also emerged after the overwhelming response that the Coeur d’Alene event had last year.
“We’re planning for 6,000 people to attend this year’s event, and for that we need around 900 volunteers,” Vicki Jeffres said.
The day in Sandpoint aims to unite all of the services that people who are experiencing difficult or impoverished circumstances may need. And it extends beyond Sandpoint residents. The event is open to people from Priest River to Montana, including Bonners Ferry.
“The biggest impact that we’ll probably have is that in working between the teams, we’re creating community. We’re all working together, and by the end of the day, we’ll know so many more people to help,” Vicki Jeffres said.
Toni Norton of Lake City Community Church in Coeur d’Alene volunteered at the Coeur d’Alene event last year. She helped play with young children while their parents received prayer services from a local church.
“It was fun playing with the kids while their parents got assistance. It’s not hard (to volunteer), you’re placed where you’re comfortable,” Norton said. “I had my 16-year-old daughter with me and that made it special for me to do this with her. Both my kids and I loved it.”
There is a volunteer opportunity for any imaginable activity from distributing complimentary groceries and shoes to gardening and family portraits.
The event will also help those agencies boost their outreach beyond the event to continue providing services for individuals who need them.
“One of our hopes is to network together and start long-term relationships and think outside of our silos,” Rust said.
Vicki Jeffres echoed his goal: “Working together as a community is a real benefit to our city and to everyone. We’re going to have a good time.”
Anyone interested in volunteering, donating or sponsoring can go to the Convoy of Hope Sandpoint website, www.convoyofhope.org/sandpoint, visit Sandpoint Convoy of Hope on Facebook, and come to the Volunteer Rally on Friday, October 2 at 7pm at the First Christian Church at 201 North Division Street.
The Convoy of Hope in Sandpoint event will take place Saturday, October 3 at the Bonner County Fairgrounds in Sandpoint. It will begin at 10am and end when volunteers run out of supplies to distribute.
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