Church fundraiser hits 30-year mark
Fundraising helps a church support many of their ministries and community efforts. Burkhead United Methodist Church has a 30-year tradition of selling pine needles to assist in their ministries.
The church acquires thousands of bundles of needles to sell to the community. People can come pick up bundles but the church delivers many of their bundles to the community.
“It is a great fundraiser and we sponsor some of our outreach programs through the funds raised,” said Murray Sink, organizer of the event. “
According to Sink, years ago they would sell over 6,000 bundles of needles per year. This year it has dropped to around 2,500 due to competition from schools and other churches who have followed suit by seedling needles as well.
“We have a good base of customers and that has kept us going over the years,” Sink continued. “We call it a well-oiled machine because everyone knows what to do. It is fun because you get the chance to fellowship with everyone.
The fundraiser is a full church effort. The ladies of the church assisted with the order forms and the men were joined by the local Boy Scout troop along with the church softball team.”
Don Pulsfort, Scout Master of Troop 911, said, “The church supports the troop and they are our charter sponsor and they provide us with facilities and equipment and this is just a way to give back to the church and the community. It is a win-win for everyone.”
Burkhead United’s senior pastor, the Rev. Dr. Carl Manuel, says he is proud to be a part of a church that is so involved with the community.
“What the community and city of Winston-Salem will see is that I am a community pastor,” he said. “I have concern for our community, especially our young people, so it was great to see the Boy Scouts and the softball team come out to help this morning.
“It is great to see the community support the program, and I am excited about it and the community will continue to see me more,” he went on to say. “We are just one big family here, and it’s always for one common purpose.”
