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Monday, October 29, 2007

Alpharetta church sends supplies overseas

Alpharetta First Baptist Church sent a container full of clothing, school supplies and even a solar generator to Sierra Leone, the second poorest nation in the world.
The church joined other organizations in offering support to the Sierra Leone International Mission.
Richard Wernick got his church involved after participating in the project himself.
"I've been involved in this for over 15 years. Our church has gotten involved the last two years," he said. "It's just such a great project.

(BOB PEPALIS/Revue) Students from Alpharetta Christian Academy, including these fourth and fifth graders, helped fill this container of supplies bound for Sierra Leone. (click for larger version)


Wernick has been to the mission school several times over the last few months. Too small to serve all 2,500 children at once, the school has to hold morning and afternoon sessions. Most of the children are orphans as the country has been torn apart by war. An 11-year civil war ended in 2002.
"You don't have to go far to find people in need. You see it as soon as you land in the airport. It's incredible," Wernick said.
Children are children no matter where they are, and these Sierra Leone children find a way to have a good time with the simplest of things, he said.

Johnnie Hall, assistant pastor for Children's Services, said not only have adult church members and children from the church school participated. The community has responded to the call for help also. Next year's drive for supplies should be even larger, he said.
"This container is all about sending some things over there to help – all the way from clothes, to toys to solar generators," Wernick said.
Alpharetta First Baptist bought the container to ship the contributions, and it will be used for storage once it is delivered and the supplies are emptied out.
Roswell UMC plans events for seniors, kids
Roswell United Methodist Church has several community events planned for October.
• Senior Adult Fun Day is Friday, Oct. 26 from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the church. This is a communitywide day of fun and fellowship for senior adults including games, lunch, and live music. Advance registration is required. The event is in the church fellowship hall, building B.
• A Children's Halloween Alternative- Fall Festival will be Sunday, Oct. 28 from 6-8 p.m. There is a $2 per person with $10 family maximum. The festival is a party for children up to fifth grade. There will be games, inflatables and plenty of candy.
Details are at www.rumc.com or by calling 770-993-6218.

Local news for Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek, Forsyth: Alpharetta church sends supplies overseas