THE EYES OF THE
SEARCH THE WHOLE EARTH IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN THOSE WHOSE HEARTS ARE FULLY COMMITTED TO HIM. 2 CHRONICLES 16:9
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In the Bible, the saying “the eyes of the Lord” occurs 108 times. It doesn’t surprise me that our all-seeing God not only created me and everything around me, but He continues to watch over all of His creation. That means He’s watching over me. He’s concerned with what I say, how I treat people, how I prioritize tasks in my life, and how I obey and implement the many things I know are right to do. That’s what righteousness is; doing what you know is right…no matter who is looking. Directors Foundation desires to be righteous before God. We make a plan and prioritize needs, and then, we wait on the Lord. When He calls, we obey and do what we know is right. In 2017, we had many opportunities to do just that. This past fall, we were able to partner with a friend to meet the needs of children and families affected by the devastating hurricane that hit Houston and its surrounding areas. In Costa Rica, we built an even larger home than was planned for a local family, and our support extended to charities that are helping children and families as well as the hurting and the lost. It’s a tremendous blessing to be a small part of the bigger picture of how God is working in people’s lives. It’s also a good reminder that God is ALWAYS looking. I’m grateful God cares enough to “search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chronicles 16:9). We have been strengthened throughout 2017, and we look forward to obeying God in 2018.
KRIS SEALE President of Directors Foundation President & Chief Executive Officer, DIG
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costa rica mission trip 2017
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.�
Matthew 25:40
Mission Statement Directors Foundation’s mission is to be the best, most-respected partner to likeminded, non-profit organizations in order to promote the cause of Christ and be His hands and feet in a lost and hurting world. We invite you to join us by giving a meaningful gift in memory of a loved one, in honor of a role model or mentor, and in the spirit of helping those in need. Contact Nadene at nadene.smith@funeraldirectorslife.com to make contributions throughout the year. D I R E C T O R S F O U N D AT I O N | 2
Mission project highlights Directors Foundation planned and executed a mission trip to Costa Rica. We partnered with Vital Seeds Ministry and Youth with a Mission (YWAM) to help one family build a home, and in the process, made a lasting difference in their neighborhood. Dani Sorcorro and her family (a husband and three children) were chosen through an application process with their local church to receive a home. They were selected because they had been faithful to follow Jesus and needed a permanent home. When we first met them, they were living in a dirt foundation lean-to with corrugated sheets of metal propped up together to make the walls of their home. The roof was also a pieced-together construction that barely kept out rain. This type of housing is common in many of the lowincome neighborhoods in Costa Rica. A concrete foundation, running water, electricity, and solidly constructed walls are all considered luxuries.
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A month before our group arrived, another volunteer-led group leveled the property and poured a concrete slab in preparation for our arrival. For a week, Dani and her family lived elsewhere as they waited for our group to arrive. “My neighbors told me no one would come build a house for me. I told them ‘With God, all things are possible,’ and then you showed up! This is an incredible gift for my family.” As Dani told us this story, tears began to fall down her face and continued well past the completion of the project. Of course, she wasn’t the only one shedding tears. Over 100 faithful volunteers joined in the 3-day adventure that was filled with positive energy, productive activity, and stories that will not be easily forgotten. The time spent with missionaries from Vital Seeds Ministry and YWAM as well as with the Sorcorro family and their church members was one of the most meaningful highlights of 2017!
And who could forget buying live chickens from a traveling food truck? Or distributing Bibles to many of the Sorcorro family’s neighbors? Hearing the stories of at least three people who accepted Jesus as their Savior because people from the United States came and built a home for a stranger? And what about the incredibly hot, humid temperatures, making people sweat profusely while they painted, nailed, cut, roofed, and constructed boards and windows? Or the look on Dani’s face when she went shopping for food and clothes, and then when she saw an unexpected, last-minute addition to her new home – a brandnew refrigerator purchased by one of the generous volunteers? The children’s excitement when they went on a surprise shopping spree to a clothing store they had never been able to afford? And the volunteers’ testimonies – testimonies that building the Sorcorro home was the most meaningful part of their time in Costa Rica?
Jesus taught: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). It is a great feeling, knowing that the Sorcorro family was loved on last April – because that means we loved Jesus in the process.
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board members KRIS SEALE President & Chief Executive Officer – DIG TERRI BANNISTER Vice President of Learning & Development – FD ADDISON TEMPLETON Vice President & Chief Administration Officer - FD TODD CARLSON Executive Vice President of Sales & Chief Sales Officer – FD LISA DAVIDSON Principal & Chief Operating Officer - Parkway Advisors MARK FRANCE Executive Vice President & Chief Actuary – DIG
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TERRY GROBAN Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer – DIG ROBERT HAMIL DIG Board Member THERON HOLLADAY President & Chief Executive Officer - Parkway Advisors PAUL LOVELACE Vice President of Corporate Development – FD DAWSON RODRIGUEZ Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer – DIG JEFF STEWART Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer – FD NADENE SMITH Executive Director – FD
1. Rebecca Browne assembles backpacks for Hurricane Harvey victims. 2. Robert Finley on Brazil mission trip. 3. Nadene Smith volunteers for the Texas Slam Tennis Event. 4. Clint Eastman at the Ark Encounter. 5. Drew and Christinia Seale participate in the Frunge benefitting Children’s Grief Connection. 6. Heather Guitar gives time to Love and Care Ministries.
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MONEY EXPENDED IN 2017 Miscellaneous
Abilene Community
$51,000
$13,350
Children’s Projects
$84,925
National Charities
$20,000
SChool Projects
$5,000
YOUTH SPORTS
CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
$50,004
$148,000
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TOTAL: $372,279
agencies and programs supported in 2017 ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY ABILENE YOUTH SPORTS AUTHORITY BEN RICHEY BOYS RANCH BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS CAMP COURAGE CHILDREN’S GRIEF CONNECTION COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES DISABILITY RESOURCES INC. FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES GLOBAL SAMARITAN HEAD FOR THE CURE HENDRICK HOME FOR CHILDREN HENDRICK HOSPICE CARE
HIGH SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY PROJECTS INDIA CHRISTIAN MISSIONS KIDS’ CLUB AT THE PARK KIPP HOUSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS LOVE AND CARE MINISTRIES MESSIANIC JEWISH MISSIONS MISSION PROJECTS PREGNANCY COUNSELING SERVICES PROJECT GRADUATION EVENTS PRISON MINISTRIES TAYLOR COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICERS ASSOCIATION TEXAS TECH SCHOOL OF NURSING YOUNG LIFE
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2 1.Karen Toms facepaints at an annual Alzheimer’s event. 2. Alyssa Alvarez at Camp Able. 3. Abilene Youth Sports Authority Tournament.
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Mission project highlights Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, paralyzing the greater Houston area. Over 100 people died. Thousands lost their homes, cars, and all their possessions. In Abilene, we listened to the news as the storm hit. We felt helpless - until our President, Kris Seale, talked with a friend. Kris called Michael Soper, Legacy Funeral Group President, to be sure his funeral homes weren’t in the destructive path of the hurricane. Michael assured him they survived, but he knew of a local school that wasn’t so fortunate. KIPP Schools serve a lower socio-economic population, and Michael said conservative estimates were reported that at least 3,000 of their school’s families had been hit hard by the hurricane. Families had lost their homes, their cars, or they had damage severe enough to alter their lives. The president of the school system pleaded for help in the way of school supplies.
Legacy Group Funeral Homes, Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company (FDLIC), Directors Foundation, and River Oaks Baptist School broadcast the need to their constituencies, and we all came together and were able to collect: • Over 200 boxes of school, cleaning, and toiletry items • $4,150 monetary donations • 500 backpacks full of school supplies People’s generosity was overflowing! The “KIPPsters” were blessed beyond measure, and the teamwork was seamless and meaningful. Photos of the volunteers: 1. Emily Beeksma 2. Legacy Funeral Group volunteers 3. Kris Seale 4. Austin Adkins and Steven Dantzler
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2017 Objectives Met and 2018 Goals EStablished ACCOUNTABILITY: • The board of Directors Foundation continues to meet quarterly to offer oversight of the organization. This will continue in 2018. • An annual report will be published regarding the 2017 activities and accounting records of Directors Foundation. • We continue to remain accountable to our partner charities by spotlighting and promoting their services via the Directors Foundation website. RELATIONSHIPS: • An ongoing goal is to continue to deepen relationships with the leadership of each non-profit supported. Staying connected and informed helps the organizations remain accountable and Directors Foundation informed to make wise funding decisions. DIVERSIFYING FUNDS: • Key constituents of the foundation are being educated and given opportunities to support the foundation. The Giving Tree Campaign, a Christmas fundraiser, was piloted in December. Due to its success, it will occur again in 2018. In addition, memorial gifting increased in 2017 as well as donations given to support the Costa Rica mission trip. Solicitation of these events will continue in 2018. EDUCATION: • Two articles were written in 2017 and published in the DIG Return on Investment publication. When opportunities arise, the foundation will be highlighted and promoted in 2018. • Course content was submitted for a DIG University philanthropy class at Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company. The hope is it will launch in 2018, making it available to over 250 employees. SERVICE: The Costa Rica Mission Trip was highly successful, and another mission trip is slated for the Dominican Republic in April 2018. Important event planning elements included having a project that could be completed in three days, having several entities working together for the cause, and providing various ways for people to contribute to the project (e.g. time, finances, expertise, etc.).
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