Published: October 04, 2009 12:30 am      

Benefit dinner hopes to provide ‘Evening of Hope’

GREENVILLE — Those interested in helping members of the community will have an opportunity to do so at the Third Annual Hope Center of Greenville appreciation dinner.

The event will be at 6 p.m., Oct. 17 at the Family Life Center of the First Baptist Church of Greenville.

The “Evening of Hope” theme will feature special guest Jim Sundberg, the former catcher and current senior executive vice president of public relations for the Texas Rangers baseball team. Music will also be provided and there will be updates on Hope Center projects.

“We normally have between 200 and 250 people show up for the dinner,” said Jerry Speight, executive director of the Hope Center.

According to Speight, progress made this year includes a new computer lab, the construction of two soccer fields on Walnut Street, the Hope Equipment project and cooperation with numerous other agencies to assist families with a variety of needs.

“This has been a very diverse year of service for inner city work,” said Speight. “It probably should be classified as one of the most challenging as well as difficult years since our opening in 2006. The pressures in our culture continue to wreak havoc in homes where so many inner city families have no family unit nor father who takes their role as spiritual leaders seriously.”

The event is open to the public and is the only fund-raising event of the year for the Hope Center. No tickets are required but donations will be taken for the meal.

“I am keenly interested in people understanding our outreach to the inner city population and at-risk youths,” said Speight. “I want to challenge the community to get involved in people’s lives,” he added, referencing involvement in civic clubs, churches and other community-based groups.



Those seeking more information can call 903-217-5346.