HANDS OF HOPE
2015 Annual Report
Many Hands
“God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with” — Billy Graham
It’s said that many hands make light work. And it’s true – we see it every day as
our team of dedicated staff and volunteers pool their efforts to keep our Center
running smoothly.
More than just enabling light work, these hands represent hearts and lives.
Whether they be the weathered hands of a 90-year-old deliberately placing
the last piece of the puzzle in place, the energetic hands of an eight-year-old
receiving a can of soup for our food pantry as a birthday gift, or the resolute
hands of a widow, penning a donation check taken from her monthly retirement
income, each of these hands represent hearts committed to bettering the life of
another.
As you read this report, you’ll see the evidence of these hands at work through
images, statistics, and words. Because of people like you, in 2015, thousands of
lives were touched and given Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow. Thank you for
generously giving of your hands and heart.
Executive Director
Social Our Board Office Team
Media
To learn more about the
Center, visit us online at
theSamaritanCenter.net
or call Eddie at
423.238.7777 x20
to schedule a tour.
/TheSamaritanCenter
@SamaritanNews
@thesamaritancenter
The Samaritan Center
/SamaritanCenter
Chair: Ben Wygal
Vice Chair: Franklin Farrow
Treasurer: Julie Hyde
Secretary: Tony Dahlberg
Kurt Allen
Bert Coolidge
Danny Garcia
Tanya Jansen
Wolf Jedamski
Peter Kulakov
Kitty McGhinnis
Todd Suchy
Sonia Wrate
Carla Youngberg
Executive Director: Tony Dahlberg
Office Manager: Erin Barthle
Accountant: Sally Fisher
Social Services Director: Sharon Smith-Hensley
Receptionist: Dale Benoit
Senior Case Manager: Stephanie Pyke
Case Manager: Erika Hughes
Social Services Support: Susan Pettibone
Communication Director: Eddie Schwisow
Asst. Communication Director: Suzanne Ócsai
Director of Operations: Keith Heming
Operations Manager: Debra Johnson
Volunteer Coordinator: Bethany Hills
Volunteer/Operations Support: Debbie Wright
Network Administrator: Lisa Parker
The Gifts of Many Hands
“God doesn’t give us more than we can handle, so what’s going on with me?”
Larry* was at rock bottom. Christmas was in nine days, he had lost his job when his car broke down, and the mechanic told
him it would cost him a $1,000 he didn’t have to get it running.
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“And what about the boys? Who’s going to help Kyle,
Dylan, and Tyler with Christmas if Grandpa can’t?”
His mind turned to the Samaritan Center. Five years
before, they’d been there for him when he took custody
of his three young grandsons, whose mom had been
arrested for drugs. Maybe, they could help.
The forecast said rain tomorrow, so today was his day. Putting on his winter jacket and walking shoes, he began his walk to
the Samaritan Center. It would take him nearly 90 minutes to get there.
When he arrived he met with Joe, our case manager, who shared that the Center could help him with Christmas for the
*names have been changed.
boys – nearly $900 in gifts, including three brandnew bicycles. Joe also offered Larry a $50 voucher
for Christmas dinner, but Larry declined.
“I don’t feel right taking something I don’t really
need,” he said. “Please give it to someone else.”
And what about Larry’s car? Partnering with
Southern Adventist University, who offered to fix
the car at less than half of the original quote, the
Center was able to pay for the car to be repaired.
“My confidence in humanity is renewed,” Larry says.
“What you did for me not only helped me in my
emergency, but possibly saved my life as well.
Photo: Danil Chepko | Dreamstime
Larry was elated. Because of the gifts of many
hands, Larry had Help for his immediate needs and
Hope for a better future.
BRADLEY
COUNTY
Eastern third of Hamilton
County, Bradley County (see
right), and other areas for
In 2015 The Samaritan Center
specialized cases, such as fire,
began working intensively
disaster, and domestic violence
in Bradley County to meet
victims, and church evaluations.
previously unmet needs.
We offered services
on a complementary basis
to clients of partnering
agencies and churches
who were in need.
new mothers given
baby layettes
kids sent
to summer camp
kids received
school supplies
families provided with
Thanksgiving food boxes
45% Case Management | 22% Food Pantry | 15% Programs
8% Housing/Utility Assistance | 6% Health/Personal/Baby/Housewares
Christmas
presents opened
Help for Today Hope for Tomorrow
l
Thank you to each person who gave of their time or resources to help our Center
in 2015. For a list of businesses, churches, organizations, and schools that partnered
with us in 2015, go to thesamaritancenter.net/donate/partners.
THE SAMARITAN CENTER
9231 Lee Hwy • Ooltewah, TN 37363
theSamaritanCenter.net • 423.238.7777
Help for Today • Hope for Tomorrow
Non-Profit Org.
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Chattanooga, TN
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