The Rev. Madelene F. Beard, pastor of Galatians United Church of Christ, had a vision that Galatians – along with the community – should support Dr. Terry Miller and the Suffolk Shelter for the Homeless. At 4 p.m. Sept. 30, she and church members hosted &uot;A Day of Caring,&uot; and later presented Miller, the shelter’s executive director, with a $2,500 check from the proceeds of that event.

Trustees Earl L. Williams Sr. and George A. Burdell assisted Beard with the donation, and Deacon Melvin Hamlin helped in presenting items to Miller from the church and community.

As a visionary, the pastor took the mission further when she solicited assistance from local churches.

&uot;It is apparent that these churches support and share in the mission of charity and therefore believe that churches should provide support to the surrounding communities and their needs,&uot; said Beard.

She also said her congregation was able to get support from businesses and that the atmosphere was filled with great excitement, love and peace for the event. When everything was all over, success was the end result.

&uot;Dr. Miller was speechless and overjoyed over the generosity and love offerings that were presented to her,&uot; said Beard.

She had sought the help of Rochellia Kindred-McNair, chairperson; Patricia Burdell, co-chairperson, and Mary Hamlin whom she had appointed for this community outreach. These women, along with other church members, went into the communities to solicit support through donations of various items and money.

&uot;I could see the look on Rochellia’s and Patricia’s faces and I knew this was a job well done,&uot; she said. &uot;The two ladies seemed delighted with all that they were able to accomplish.&uot;

The day ended with a picnic of hotdogs, hamburgers, coleslaw, baked beans, desserts and beverages prepared by Mary Hamlin, Linwood Jones and others.

Others who shared in the celebration of the day were Arnold Beard Sr. and the Rev. E. Wayne Mitchell. Members of the

Members of the Board of Directors of the shelter, City Councilman Curtis Milteer, Pat Manley, and W. Ross Boone, were also present.

Along with Beard, other contributors were:

Arnold Beard Sr.; Rev. W. Wayne Mitchell; Crystall Mitchell; the Rev. and Mrs. Gregory Johnson; Chaplain Haywood Thomas from Yorktown; Cornerstone Baptist Church; St. Matthews Holiness Church; Faith Temple United Church of Christ; Rose of Sharon UHC; City Councilman Curtis Milteer: Target from Chesapeake; Wal-Mart on North Main Street; Leon Boone from S&L Lawn Service; Rawls Construction from Petersburg; Duke Oldsmobile; B&B Signs and Graphics from Norfolk; Step-Up Inc. from Norfolk; a congregation yard sale; Patricia and George Burdell; Cheryl and Arnold Beard Jr.; Earl Williams; Dorothy and Jesse F. Boone; Tamekia and Jeffrey Hamlin; Marvin McNair; Steve McNair; Michael McNair; Eboni Hilliard; Dante Copeland; RaShawn Deloatch; Lavern and Melvin Hamlin; Herman Hamlin; Fannie Hamlin; Joy McNair and family; Annie Kindred; Alpheus Kindred Jr.; Dollie Hudgins; Catherine Joe; Aisha and Anthony Perry; Marie and Lonnie White; Sarah Cuffee; Linwood Jones; Nyree Newbold; Desire Johnson; Virginia Booker and family; Angelica Hughes; Princess Nelson; Betty Johnson; Mary Hamlin; Ron Cargill; Doris Baker; Ellen Lowe; Lillian Reid; Marguerite Valentine; Eugene Boone; Thelma Copeland; Phyllis and Robert Parham; Sirvonner and George Nelson; Sam B. and Vivian Middleton; Clifton Copeland; Curtis Holland; Mary Howell; Sheron Johnson; Selene F. Copeland; Gladys Brown; Douglas Dillard; Jean Riddick; Alex Manley; and Rochellia Kindred-McNair.