Endowment Fund will Secure Ministry:
Rev. Denny Smith, Executive Director for Christian Love Ministries has
announced the formation of an Endowment Foundation. Rev. Smith's work with
recovering alcoholics and drug addicts is widely known and respected in
Western North Carolina, and CLM enrolls students from all over the United
States. His progress since 1986, when CLM was founded has been widely
reported in our local press.
Rev. Smith said, "Drug and alcohol addictions have become the greatest
problem in the world. Christian Love Ministries is giving the world a new
approach to drug/alcohol rehabilitation, that is local people working
together to face a local problem. They also provide a non-profit
drug/alcohol recovery program to help addicts learn how to live without the
drugs and alcohol they became addicted to."
People from the tri-state area have contributed money and merchandise
that is resold in two thrift stores called The Marketplace. The money is
used to help 110-150 men and women each year to overcome their addictions.
The program success rate is consistently over 50% every year. CLM has a 50
bed capacity, but averages housing of about 35 men and woman daily. Many
families in Cherokee County have been personally touched by the world of
CLM, and the self-sustaining nature of his work has long been a hallmark of
the CLM operation.
The CLM Endowment Foundation adds an important new dimension to the work
of this community ministry that reaches across many church denominational
and health care boundaries. The foundation was funded by $25,000 in gifts
from several members in the community who are united in their vision for the
long range success of Christian Love Ministries. Provisions in the endowment
provide that no funds may be taken from the base for at least five years,
giving the endowment time to grow. After that time the endowment will
provide income to support the ministry with operating funds each year. This
will help sustain the mission for many years to come.
In launching the CLM Endowment Foundation, Rev. Smith is proud to point
out that they join other well known community foundations such as the ones
for Southwestern Health Systems (Murphy Medical Center), Tri-County
Community College, and John C. Campbell Folk School. He also wants to thank
the community for the broad based support he has received over the twenty
years CLM has been in operation, and the success they have experienced with
their programs. For instance, the "Mary's House" project which houses
sixteen women in recovery was projected to take ten years for completion,
but the CLM vision was recognized in only two years. Denny points out that
it was a work of faith, and he encouraged his many supporters to join him in
helping the CLM Endowment Foundation reach its potential.
Questions and offers of support may be directed to Rev. Denny Smith at
828-837-7086 or mailed to Christian Love Ministries, PO Box 376, Murphy, NC
28906.
http://www.cherokeesentinel.com/news/2007/0627/church/045.html
