Once again we were blessed with our talented favorite son Bill Morris and his gracious wife in a Christmas benefit. First Baptist Church in Cleveland offered the use of their sanctuary and their hand bell choir performed, as well as the young ladies from Miss Reba's Dance Center. In addition, Paige Bostwick sang and had her husband Preston and guest sing as well. A special word of appreciation to Jean McAdams for helping us contact the churches for the community choir in addition to selling advance and door tickets.

The final tally raised was $4,333.00! As this was our organizations only fundraiser, we are thankful for everyone who participated and attended. Next year, we expect it to be even better. Again, thank you Bill, Renee, and Paige!

Caring Hearts of First United Methodist donated $1,000.00 to Food Pantry. A special thank you to President Joyce Morton, Peggy Dunn, Kay Mclin, Carolyn McWaters, Peggy Allen, Emily Oehler, Helen Miskell, Pam Lundberg, Gloria Jones, Glenda Plumlee, and Juline Petropolis. You ladies are the best!

Our organization has completed its fifth year and we have witnessed the goodness of the Lord as we endeavored to be a blessing to those less fortunate in our community. 2006 has been a year of changes and I sincerely believe they will be positive and productive for years to come. After three years of renting a place for the thrift shop our board of directors decided to purchase property and build in the early spring. We were able to obtain 1.25 acres on Houston Street and immediately began to clear the land construction started on the facility.

This has enabled us to increase the ability to recycle items to provide addition sources of funds for the overall operation and we moved all recycling efforts to the thrift shop. With the addition land we are better able to utilize every item that is donated. My personal goal is for ORI to be a good steward of every resource mad available to us. We have been recycling old shoes, purses, belts, baseball caps, and old stuffed animals. We now have two paper recycling receptacles on site. Very little is wasted due to the recycling efforts and the very best is made available through the thrift shop for individuals to purchase at inexpensive prices.

The food pantry has seen quite an increase with individuals seeking assistance. I'm very thankful to our wonderful voluteers at the pantry: Jean McAdams, Vance Stiles, Julian and Tonya Kowis, Jimmie Jo Charping, Linda Woods, Rachel Gertson, Ruthie Davis, Helen Miskell, Glenda Plumlee, Kathy Farmer, Brenda Groaning, Vicky Smith, Billy Redus, Marie Carter, Judith Sikes, and Val. These people give their time every week to be a blessing to others. They serve others very unselfishly with such grace and I want to publicly say how thankful I am for their labors of love.

The last quarter of 2006 was a bit stressful as our funds were at their all time low and those needing help increased for Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets of food. One week in particular I was not quite sure how we would be able to purchase all the food we needed when several individuals brought and sent checks, conducted food drives and once again we had more than enough to supply every need. God has been faithful to this organization and it is my privilege to witness daily how much He desires to help those who need a hand up.

We covet your prayers as we endeavor to do the right thing for those who depend on us for assistance in the Cleveland area.

It is our privilege to administer the annual campaign in Cleveland. Throughout the year we give out these funds to those needing help with gasoline to to the doctor, and assistance with utility bills. We appreciate everyone who helped us. Our County Judge, Phil Fitzgerald lead the way along with te following organization and churches: Rotary, Lions, City of Cleveland employees, Anderson Ford employees, Martin Dodge employees, Citi Financial employees, Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, Crossroads Assembly Church, First Baptist, Calvary Baptist, Cornerstone, New Bethel Baptist, and Liberty Christian Fellowship. Thanks to Pastor Bob White for scheduling the bell ringers!

Among the volunteers helping ORI on December 21st were two of our City Council members: Bill McAdams and Frank Good. These men encouraged teh individuals and provided aid in taking groceries to their vehicles and keeping order while they waited their turn. Thank you Frank and Bill.

Citi Financial conducted a canned food drive for us before Thanksgiving. Northside and Southside Elementary Schools conducted food drives for the food pantry. Northside also collected new toys to be given out to children less fortunate in our community. We appreciate the administration, staff, and children of both campuses for their help. It means a lot to us when the community stands with us as we help others. The student council of Splendor Junior High, under the leadership of Linda Mills, conducted a soup drive and we received a truck load of Ramen noodles and canned soups. These things were quite a blessing as we prepared for Thanksgiving and Christmas food bags.