Winter 2019/20 Newsletter
Dail Hope Newsletter Winter 2019/20
March/April 2018 Newsletter
The Dial Hope Newsletter for March/April 2018.
February 2017 Newsletter
The Dial Hope Newsletter for February 2017.
September 2016 Newsletter
The Dial Hope Newsletter for September 2016 – The Giving Challenge, Michael Jernigan, and Great News!!
September 2014 Newsletter
Thanks to God for the Life of George Manser
George Manser
The recent passing of George Manser is a deep loss to all who knew him…and even to many who didn’t. His life is, indeed, one to celebrate. Beyond his many career accomplishments, George was known for his strong faith, positive outlook, humility, philanthropy, and always looking for additional ways to help –
including with DIAL HOPE where he served as a quiet, reserved, invaluable leader.
The DIAL HOPE telephone ministry originated in 2000 thanks to the vision and work of the late, beloved Rev. Roger Kunkel. As Roger’s health declined in later years, George envisioned the need to perpetuate DIAL HOPE. George’s initiative, work as chair of the DIAL HOPE board, and financial support enabled DIAL HOPE to formalize as a non-profit organization and to reach and help even more people through telephone, email, website and other internet outlets…
offering daily non-denominational messages of hope, faith, and love to people around the world.
Even as we mourn your passing, George, we gratefully cerebrate your remarkable life and work. REST IN PEACE.
Reaching Out To Our Military
Through the fine efforts of our Dial Hope Trustee Chuck Holmes, we connected with AMVETS in June of this year. AMVETS (American Veterans), an organization which enhances and safeguards the entitlements for all American Veterans who have served honorably, seeks to improve the quality of life for the veterans, their families, and the communities in which they reside through leadership advocacy and services.
In response to their request, Dial Hope provided AMVETS with 1200 bookmarks to be shared with their clients during the month of August. We were pleased to participate in their efforts to be supportive to the men and women who have courageously served in our Armed Forces
Save The Date
Our annual Dial Hope Appreciation Event will be held on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at The Field Club in Sarasota, Florida between 5 and 7 p.m.
This year we will be honoring the original Foundation Board of Trustees Officers: Crome Dollase, Chuck Fulton, Roger Kunkel (deceased), George Manser (deceased), and Tom Melly.
We hope you will plan to join us.
Dial Hope Testimonial
During the last few years, I have had to deal with some major changes in my life. First was the loss of my husband after 58 years of marriage. Shortly after that, my son committed suicide. Losing two people I loved dearly was devastating. The sleepless nights that followed were exceedingly difficult for me. That’s when I turned to Dial Hope. Being able to reach out in the middle of the night and hear words of encouragement helped so much to ease my pain.
But life is full of surprises, and just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was very difficult not being self-absorbed and enveloped in negative thoughts. Through the strength of my faith, my family, and my friends, I faced my medical challenges head on. It was during my radiation sessions when I began to share some of the Dial Hope messages with others. It was so rewarding to share words of comfort with others in need.
Dial Hope has proven to be of tremendous help to me during the last few years, and I am so glad it is available to me and to others as a free resource. Thank you for this very special ministry. ~ A. F.
On-Line Donations
It is now possible when accessing our Dial Hope website at www.dialhope.org to make an on-line donation. Click on “donations” found on the left side of the menu of the webpage. The Donation Page opens. Click on “Donate Now” found in the upper right corner of the page. The Donation Form appears. Complete the form beginning with: the amount, and is this to be a recurring gift? “Comments and Instructions” lets you donate in memory of or in honor of someone.
June 2014 Newsletter
Our First Grant
In January of this year, the Reverend Eric Wogen was invited to speak to the Missions and Outreach Committee at Church of the Redeemer in Sarasota, Florida. Following his presentation, the Missions and Outreach Committee extended to Dial Hope a generous grant that we might create our bookmarks in
the Spanish language. What a wonderful gift, and what a wonderful way in which to expand our ministry!!
Jean Fulton, a Dial Hope Trustee, arranged with Pastor Julio Travieso at First Presbyterian Church in Sarasota to translate the existing bookmarks we have into Spanish. Julio, with the help of two others, is now hard at work on this project.! Once they have been translated and printed, Dial Hope will initiate the distribution ofthese bookmarks with the help of Pastor Travieso and the Reverend Mario Castro, Priest Associate for Hispanic Ministry at Church of the Redeemer. We will expect to share these not just within theSarasota community, but with Spanish speaking people around the country, around the world. And it all started with just one special grant…!
Our website is www.dailhope.org and
our phone number 941-955-8929, toll
free: 866-528-4673. Deployed military
using DSN dial 809-463-3376, wait for a
dial tone, then dial the toll free number
866-528-4673.
Reaching out to our Military
In March of this year, Dial Hope received a wonderful request from Pastor Doug Dwyer, Senior Pastor of the Addisville Reformed Church in Richboro, Pennsylvania. On behalf of their Christian Education ministry, he was asking for bookmarks. The Christian Education participants were creating gift boxes for our military men and women serving overseas. Items for which they were asking included packets of stationery, travel-sized shaving cream, tooth paste, hand wipes, etc. and our Dial Hope bookmarks . What a wonderful way in which to help those serving abroad!!!
Perhaps you have a family member, a friend, or a neighbor who is currently serving in our Armed Forces, or perhaps you know someone who is working either here or abroad for our Armed Forces. Sharing words of inspiration and encouragement with these courageous, dedicated people by way of our Dial Hope bookmarks can be easily done. Just contact Stephie Safford at stephiesafford@gmail.com and she will send you whatever you need.
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Rev. Dr. Glen Bell of |
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Guest PastorsOn June 16, 17, and 18 Guest Pastor Rev. Dr. Glen Bell will be sharing a Dial Hope message. Glen is Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Sarasota, Florida. On July 23, 24, and 25, Amy Camp, Director of Pastoral Ministries at Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Augustine, Florida will serve as our Guest Pastor. |
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Pastor Amy Lehr Camp, Director of Pastoral Ministries in St. Augustine, Florida |
I LOVE Dial Hope…and while I do not always read it every day at a certain time, it is such a blessing to open this email, on my weird time schedule, and absorb its message. It has also been a real gif to be able to share these messages on occasions when I am asked to give a devotion before a meeting. Sometimes afer the meeting, fiends wil ask for a copy of what I said. It’s the perfect time to give a little commercial about Dial Hope along with a copy of the message. I should add that on numerous occasions I send the messages on to fiends who I think are in need of encouragement. It’s a great way to reach out and let someone know you’re thinking of them.
So THANK YOU! and please….don’t stop!!!. ~ Sara
March 2014 Newsletter
Planting a Seed
New Trustee Chuck Holmes with Chair Annie Jones
New Trustee of our Dial Hope Foundation, Chuck Holmes, recently shared a small story with big repercussions at a board meeting. He and Roger Kunkel were fast friends. They enjoyed sharing hamburgers and chocolate sundaes, humorous stories, and long philosophical talks. Roger was always there to support Chuck in his times of need, and Chuck reciprocated the support when Roger was in need. Their friendship was an exceedingly close one.
When Roger launched his Dial Hope ministry in Sarasota in September of 2000, Chuck became one of the ministry’s greatest advocates. He believed in Roger, he believed in the ministry.
Over the years Chuck made a major decision. Always a generous supporter of causes in which he believed, Chuck contacted his attorney. He said that at the time of his death he would like a portion of his funds to go to the Dial Hope Foundation.
By creating this planned gift with his attorney, Chuck is sowing seeds for our Dial Hope ministry. He is looking to the future of expanding our ripples of hope throughout the world.
We would encourage our Dial Hope supporters to consider following Chuck’s lead. Planned gifts can be established in a variety of ways and legal counsel can guide you through determining which venue would be best suited to you and to the recipient of your funds.
We thank you, Chuck, for planting the seed of this idea with Dial Hope. We are blessed to have you serving as a new Trustee, and look forward to your involvement in our Foundation.
Pastor Eric Wogen
Retired Pastor Eric Wogen is one of the Trustees who participates in Dial Hope’s newly created Speakers’ Bureau. Retired from the St. Armand’s Lutheran Church in Sarasota, Eric shares great warmth and enthusiasm when making presentations within the community to expand the awareness of our Dial Hope ministry.
Please let us know if you would like to draw upon our Speakers’ Bureau to make a Dial Hope presentation to your church, retirement home, hospital or other organizations. Contact our Operations Manager, Stephie Safford, at stephiesafford@gmail.com to arrange a date and time.
A Special Story of Inspiration
Shortly after I signed up to receive Dial Hope’s daily message via email, my grandson, who was in Army Basic Training, severely injured his knee. His injury would not allow him to continue Basic Training, ultimately leading to his Honorable Discharge…but not for another 8 weeks. During that time he experienced disappointment and was feeling pretty low, not really sure of what to do next. Since I had served 33 years in the Navy, I knew he needed encouragement and inspiration at this point. So I started forwarding every Dial Hope daily email to him. Shortly thereafter he started reading the Bible and going to worship services on the post. He was only allowed to have his iPhone on weekends, so each weekend he would read all the Dial Hope emails I sent him. Within 4 weeks he told his Mom during a phone call that he had accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior!
When she shared that wonderful news with us, we praised God, and thanked Him for our grandson’s conversion, knowing that Dial Hope played a vital part in his
salvation.
~ Capt. Don Peters, USN (Retired)
Guest Pastors
In March, Guest Pastor Phil Blackburn will be sharing a Dial Hope message on three different days. Phil is Co-Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. In April, Amy Camp, Parish Associate at St. Giles Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, Florida will serve as our Guest Pastor, and in April retired Pastor Eric Wogen of St. Armand’s Lutheran Church in Sarasota, Florida, will share messages.
Involving Guest Pastors on a monthly basis is a wonderful way in which to expand our reach into communities throughout the country. We appreciate their willingness to share Dial Hope with their followers and perpetuating our ministry of encouragement, inspiration, and care.
December 2013 Newsletter
LETTER FROM REVEREND JOE ALBRIGHT
2013 has been a busy year for Dial Hope! I am continually amazed by our dedicated Board of Trustees and their hard working teams who give countless hours to further the ministry of Dial Hope. They are inspiring.
The enclosed letter highlights some of our major accomplishments. In addition to those, I’d like to share a few others with you.
You may have noticed that we have updated our website. If you have not visited it lately check out our new video. I think it beautifully captures the essence of what we are about as a ministry! (From the homepage, click on “About” and you will see it cued up on the upper right side of the screen.)
Back in March we hosted a Chaplains’ Breakfast at the Pines of Sarasota. I had the opportunity to speak, and then meet with chaplains from all over the local area: Ringling College of Art and Design, Bay Village, Village on the Isle, the Pines, and Sarasota Memorial, Blake and Doctors hospitals, and Young Life. Many of these folks have committed to helping us spread the word about our ministry.
Personally, my schedule allowed me to visit a number of different churches this year. I was able to share Dial Hope with pastors and congregations in Neptune Beach, Green Cove Springs, St. Augustine, Orange Park, Jacksonville, and Palatka, Florida, and in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. I’ve handed out hundreds of bookmarks, and a few of these churches have even linked us to their websites. Fr. Fred Robinson, Rector of Church of the Redeemer in Sarasota, and retired Lutheran pastor Rev. Eric Wogen have been promoting Dial Hope in local Sarasota congregations.
And the word is getting out. Just in terms of email subscribers – in June of 2012, we had 146 daily subscribers. In October of 2013, we had 267 daily subscribers. That is about and 80% increase in a little over a year.
It has been a fantastic year, and I give thanks to God. I also give thanks to our Board of Trustees, and thanks to all of you who so generously support this ministry!
Monday, November 25, 2013
Dear Friend,
Recently we had an inspirational call from Mrs. J. who lives in California. Her employment had been terminated in 2009. In 2012, she had lost a loved one and become disabled. More recently, she began losing her eyesight.
Did she sound down and unhappy? No. She was upbeat and cheerful. She said that listening daily to Dial Hope, she was reminded how important it was for her to reach out to others, making them smile and sharing words of encouragement.
What a moving testimonial!
As a member of our Dial Hope family, let me take this opportunity to thank you for your dedication to our 24-hour global telephone and internet ministry which provides encouragement, inspiration, and care.
This year, we have expanded our services to meet more needs. Through an incredible individual’s foresight, we have been able to initiate an Endowment Fund to provide long-term stability to further our mission. In addition, we’ve expanded our outreach to local hospitals, chaplains, and youth; to churches nationally; and to military servicemen and women and veterans worldwide. We have also created a DVD that is featured on our website and will be shown in presentations by our newly-created Speakers’ Bureau.
Today, we are aware that our on-line accessibility means that people living in South Africa, Vietnam, Brazil, Australia, and India – to name a few – are tapping into our messages of inspiration. We are truly a global ministry.
It is our hope to meet people wherever they are in their journey through life and encourage them. Whether you’re having an exceptionally difficult day, or a wonderfully happy day, Dial Hope will always add to making your day a better one.
Dial Hope relies entirely on individual donations because we do not charge fees or our service.
No matter the size, your gift to Dial Hope will make a difference as we continue to expand our ministry.
Yours in peace,
Anne Jones, Chair Joe Albright, President
