On Sunday afternoon April 29th, 70 folks gathered at Hopewell Reformed Church for the Mid-Hudson Love INC Annual Meeting and Volunteer Appreciation. Board Members, pastors and church leaders of partnering churches, volunteers, and welcomed guests all met for an afternoon of fun, fellowship, and refreshments. We reviewed the 2017 highlights and said a special “Thank You” to all our amazing volunteers.

In the true spirit of Love INC’s culture, we recognized how our volunteers impact Love INC’s success with this year’s theme: Time. Time is a priceless contribution. This year 220 Volunteers provided 8285 hours of service for the benefit of activities implemented by Mid-Hudson Love INC without monetary or in-kind payment! Demonstration of our appreciation and recognition of our volunteers’ contribution of Time to Love INC is important on many levels. We want our volunteers to enjoy their experience and feel their efforts are appreciated. Equally important, our volunteers are Love INC ambassadors representing our organization. Thus, their volunteer experience personifies the Love INC mission and directly impacts the way they share Love INC.

Attendees enjoyed inspirational words from guest speaker Byron McMillan. After growing up in Raleigh, NC and graduating from East Carolina University, Byron served as an Armor (tanks) Officer in the U.S. Army and was awarded a Bronze Star for leadership in combat during Operation Desert Storm. Since then, he has engaged in numerous entrepreneurial endeavors serving churches, nonprofits, and corporations. His passion is to see broken and under resourced communities restored, where people flourish.

Following the annual meeting, pastors and church leaders remained for an evening of continued fellowship and discussion with Byron. The gathering explored how well-intentioned organizations often neglect to equip people for true change when addressing the symptoms of people in need without addressing their brokenness. Going forward, their shared insights and responses will be incorporated when formulating ways to better minister to our neighbors in need.