The Friday Finish – May 10, 2024
Compassion Received – KY Gives 2024 Closes with Record Giving
Red Bird Mission, Inc., and Red Bird Clinic, Inc., has raised $41,293 in the Kentucky Gives 2024 campaign, and finished 5th in online donations raised among 253 organizations in the commonwealth participating on May 7th, Kentucky Gives Day. The total amount raised includes matching gifts and offline gifts made or committed through Wednesday. A final total won’t be released until next week to include any gifts mailed with the designation, “KY Gives”.
Kari Collins, Executive Director, said, "We are truly humbled, again, by the compassionate giving shown by Red Bird supporters during this spring campaign for nonprofit organizations in Kentucky. These donations are vital to Red Bird's continued service to approximately 12,000 people living in remote communities of Clay, Leslie and Bell counties making up the Red Bird service area.
The people of Red Bird can't say, “Thank you,” enough to the donors who gave matching gifts; donors who have given thus far; to the Kentucky Nonprofit Network that organizes this event; and to the sponsors of the event. The words of Leonard Lawson, alumnus of Red Bird School still ring true for the success of this day, 'It takes all of us.'"
Red Bird also received a $250 prize from KNN for having the most number of unique donors during the Early Bird Power Hour from 6 am to 7 am on Tuesday morning. Red Bird Mission has participated in Kentucky Gives Day since it began in 2012.
Kindergarten Here We Come
Families gathered Thursday in the chapel at Red Bird Christian School (RBCS) to celebrate the first educational passage for 12 four-year olds. It was Graduation Day for RBCS’s preschool, known as ECD, the acronym for Early Childhood Development. The children performed the motions and sang, “He’s Got the Whole World,” and highlights of the year were shared through a short slide show that included baby pictures of each student.
Alison Smith, ECD Coordinator, passed out diplomas with each posing for a celebratory photo. Alison closed the ceremony saying,
“On behalf of the other teachers, I want to say that we’ve had such a really good year. We are so proud of each and every kid here.”
Shirley Crouse, started ECD at Red Bird Mission in the early 1970’s to prepare children for First Grade before Kindergarten was universal in Kentucky schools. The need was so great in the region in those years that over a dozen sites for ECD were established in churches. Shirley traveled to each site every couple of weeks to share educational and developmental goals with parents. An ECD worker in each community would visit each home to check progress and family needs during the interim between lessons.
Elementary Honor Students Inducted into Red Bird’s SOAR Honor Society
Twelve elementary students were inducted Thursday afternoon into the Red Bird Christian School Elementary SOAR Honor Society. The elementary division of SOAR selects students from 4th through 6th grades. Existing SOAR members expanded on the ideals sharing supporting scriptures for each.
S – Serving God and others
O – Outstanding Leadership
A – Academic Excellence
R – Responsible Citizenship
Beloved Volunteer Bobby Joe Hooper Passes
Word was received that a beloved Red Bird volunteer, Bobby Joe Hooper, passed on
Thursday. Bobby came to Red Bird many years ago to lead summer basketball camps but always shared his love for Jesus Christ through his humble witness. He returned in 2013-2014 as a full time volunteer at Red Bird Christian School stepping in to coach basketball.
Bobby played point guard for the University of Dayton Flyers from 1965-1968. His Flyers reached the NCAA National Championship game in 1967 losing to one of the great UCLA teams. He played one year for the Indiana Pacers in the old American Basketball Association.
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