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The National Day of Prayer
Lost Creek Guide
A celebration of the National Day of Prayer was held on Thursday evening, May 6th, in Schey Park in Keenesburg. Destination Ministries was joined by the Community United Methodist Church, and presented the 2021 National Theme drawn from 2 Corinthians 3:17: “Lord, Pour Out Your Love, Life and Liberty.” With approximately 45 people in attendance, each speaker spoke from their own perspective, with each speaker presenting one of the 7 Centers of Influence: Business, Church, Education, Family, Government, Media, and the Military. One by one, the speakers came forward to present their topics, which included introductory remarks, Scripture selections from the Bible, and a prayer. The following are the speakers who spoke on each of the 7 Centers of Influence. Business – Tara Dreilling, Owner of Simpler Times Church – Pastor Linda Meyer and Pastor Perry Wm. Bell Education – Pastor Linda Meyer, Community United Methodist Church Family – James Johnson Government – Mayor Ken Gfeller Media – Greg Beasley Military – Pastor Perry Wm. Bell, Destination Ministries Music was provided by Matthew Perry, and we sang “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America.” We look forward to having this event in the same location next year, and would hope that more churches and the local communities would join us!
May 19, 2021
As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers are still needed at organizations across Weld County
Bill and Jan Eastin made the most of a year that many people would like to forget. The Greeley couple positively impacted thousands of people in 2020 by making masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. After reading a book about the history of the flu in the United States and Europe, the Eastins put their mask-making skills to good use by providing 1,200 masks to United Way of Weld County (UWWC) for distribution. Their first set of masks went to North Range Behavioral Health in April 2020. When North Range advertised their need for homemade masks in the Greeley Tribune, the Eastins volunteered their time and made a difference. With a small group of seamstresses and the help of several quilters and friends who knew someone with unused material, they found fabric, T-shirts and thread for their project. “Our small group decided to make masks for the highest risk groups in our community – the assisted living and nursing home facilities,” the Eastins said. “Also at that time, there were not enough PPE for many of the employees at the hospital. We then made them a priority as well.” The Eastins recalled that every time they thought they’d run out of something, someone would come through with whatever was needed. All told, more than 3,300 masks – at no charge – were distributed in the community thanks to the volunteering efforts of the Eastins and their friends. April was National Volunteer Month, but really, every month could be reserved for volunteers. Volunteer hours were down at UWWC in 2020 due to events being canceled and quarantine measures taking hold because of the pandemic. The Eastins, though, found their way of volunteering and helping the community right out of their home. In 2019-2020, UWWC had 840 volunteers totaling 7,715 hours of volunteer time. In 2018-2019, UWWC had 1,321 volunteers totaling 9,485 hours of volunteer time. So you could see the dent that the pandemic made in the number of volunteers and volunteer time from one year to the next. As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to remember that volunteers are still needed at organizations across Weld County. Whether it be in person at the Weld Food Bank, Guadalupe Shelter or UWWC Housing Navigation Center, or as a delivery driver for homebound community members through Meals on Wheels or 60+ ride, the opportunities to volunteer are available to you. Even in your own home completing Service to Go projects, crochet or sewing projects like the Eastins did in 2020 or lending your marketing/design talents to a local nonprofit of choice, the chances to volunteer are endless.A quote from boxing legend and activist Muhammad Ali sums up the importance and value of volunteers - “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” Volunteering helps support programs that strive to make Weld County a healthier, stronger, more connected community. Volunteering is a critical component to the success of the type of community we should want to live in. Meaningful community solutions require more than money, programs or policies. The kind of real and lasting change that benefits everyone is only possible when people from all walks of life are willing to roll up their sleeves and go where their time and talent are most needed. The UWWC Connect volunteer webpage is a great resource to find volunteer opportunities year-round. With 89 agency profiles and 98 volunteer opportunities listed, the volunteer webpage features opportunities to volunteer with nonprofits, government agencies, schools and other agencies/programs throughout Weld County. Please visit www. unitedway.org/volunteer to find a volunteer opportunity for you. Nicole Quinn is the volunteer coordinator and a donor engagement manager for United Way of Weld County.
