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OPERATION BLESSING, NEW YORK CHRISTIAN RESOURCE CENTER DECLARE
"SOMEONE CARES" IN NYC AS HOLIDAY OUTREACH PROGRAMS BEGIN
"Tackling Hunger" in Harlem Launches Regional Effort to Assist 100,000 People in Need
(As featured in the December 1998 edition of The Love Express, New York’s "Good News" newspaper.)
New York, NY – "Someone Cares" is the message heard loud and clear this holiday season as Virginia based Operation Blessing International’s Metro New York outreach agency, the New York Christian Resource Center, launched their annual "Holiday of Hope" campaign. Approximately 100,000 people will be assisted with over three-quarters of a million dollars worth of aid. It officially started just prior to Thanksgiving when 80,000 pounds of groceries were distributed to 3,000 individuals at North General Hospital on East 121st Street and Madison Avenue in Harlem. As part of NFL star, Reggie White’s multi-city Tackle Hunger campaign, this event raised awareness of hunger in America and offered assistance to area families.
"The media coverage announcing our efforts this year has been outstanding," shares Rev. James Esposito, director. It began with a live interview on Fox-5’s Good Day New York on Friday promoting the event. A piece on Channel 5’s Ten O’clock News "New York Minute" Saturday night, radio coverage, an article on page eight of Sundays Daily News (main section) and a feature piece on The 700 Club (airing on Fox Family Channel) officially announced that on our world of cynicism, there are many people that really care in New York City.
Esposito continues, "We used this opportunity to inaugurate our Care-Line also and registered over 400 calls during the kickoff weekend." A group of volunteers have united to offer this telephone support service (offering crisis referrals) in conjunction with the year round relief and development efforts. The number, (718) 265-CARE, is now open for business
Other "Holiday of Hope" programs in the area include a massive coat and blanket distribution, providing toys for children, sponsoring holiday dinners and distributing food baskets to needy families. New York Christian Resource Center coordinates a "collective" of over 100 like-minded social service and relief agencies including many area churches (of varied denominations) throughout the city, Long Island and Northern New Jersey. It is through community "matching dollars and "leveraging" resources that provide the total impact which continues to increase with each passing year.
On the heels of the Harlem outreach, "Turkey Day ‘98" was sponsored at Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island sites this week with Health Plus, a not for profit HMO that provides free and low cost Child Health Plus to children all over the city. Over 1000 oven roaster turkeys were distributed at various locations. Esposito comments, "Whether it’s working with Health Plus, North General, New York Cares or any one of our faithful network participants, when people come together for a common goal, the world changes for the better." Health Plus manager, Lisa Hernandez adds, "It’s all about making the difference in people’s lives – big or small. It only matters that we try and when we do – smiles start showing up everywhere!"
While the telephone Care-Line is based in Brooklyn, the Metro NY headquarters are located a few blocks away from the World Trade Center, Lower Manhattan in offices provided by Living Word Church and New York Christian Counseling Center. Rev. Dr. J. Terry Twerell (Senior Pastor) explains, "Even on the coldest nights in New York City, there are many warm hearts because of the partnership we share. When we go outside the ‘four walls’ of the church building and unite in purpose with believers everywhere, miracles really do happen."
In 1999, Operation Blessing (celebrating its 20th Anniversary) will continue its long standing commitment to serve disadvantaged families throughout the Metro New York area by expanding existing projects and seek innovative ways to make a difference. NYCRC will also implement Life Skills Development and English as Second Language courses, "Operation Bless-A-Child" (child development) and "Heart to Heart" (outreach to victims of domestic violence and AIDS) projects among other annual efforts.
You too can help spread the message, "Someone Cares!" For more information on how you or your organization can get involved, call (718) 265-CARE.
