By Pastor Cheryl Ciambotti, CRS
As I look back on the year 2015, Perhaps Today Ministries International has done amazing work with the community. Everything we do cannot possibly be written here but amazingly there have been powerful changes, comfort and healing in dozens of families from Lancaster to Chambersburg! I was able to work with nearly 70 people and had given an average of $2,500 in donated counseling services each month.
Some of the highlights for 2015 include:
- Being able to offer benevolence funds to a man who had been robbed at gun point and his bank account emptied
- Offering financial help to a family in desperate need
- Financially helping a business stay afloat through the holidays because of customer default payments
- Couples deciding to not get divorced
- Wives, husbands, children and parents finding peace in the storm with addicted loved ones
- A wedding
This is the very essence of Perhaps Today Ministries. I want to help whether it be with counseling services or education or financial needs. This year I was also privileged to connect with one of the local networking groups that was willing to donate the leftover food, that would otherwise be discarded from their luncheon, and give it to needy families. Thank you Mechanicsburg Business Women’s Networking group for your generosity and in helping those desperate and hungry families this year.
Since our advertisement for help, I’ve made several new contacts that will begin to soon aid with the social media sites, event planning and writing and editing for our newsletter. I continue to be a part of several networking groups to provide numerous sources for referrals and avenues such as job opportunities and professional services that the clients might be in need of. I was also honored to speak at the West Shore Rotary Club, the United Methodist women's group and several networking meetings this year. The more I speak the more people become aware of the valuable services PTM offers.
PTM did have a few very successful campaigns this year with an Every Door Direct Mailer and our Boscov’s Friends Helping Friends campaign. However, we did need to cancel our Annual Fall Fundraiser in October but have had great success with our Christmas end-of-the-year mailer. Next year we're planning something big! I endeavor to reach more families that are in need and partner with other non-profits to increase the availability of all our services. My heart is to serve and to do it with excellence. One of my greatest honors this year was to be nominated for Non-Profit of the year and the Gia Glinatsis Care to Share award, winning the former. I am dedicated to working with the disadvantaged, hurting and those in great need.
PTM is now in its sixth year and it continues to thrive! I have appreciated everyone’s support and help. Whether you be a volunteer staff person, a board member or donor, on behalf of all of the people you have helped I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
It is my hope and the hope of all the staff and the board members here at Perhaps Today Ministries that you will have a prosperous and productive, peaceful and positive New Year in 2016!
Together let’s reach the lost and those who need God’s love!
