Faith in Action

Grace Bunker Honored

Ben’s Bells, the Tucson organization that encourages kindness in all aspects of community life, surprised Grace Bunker on August 19, 2015, by sending a representative to the church to give her a citation of honor and one of its famous bells. The informal ceremony took place just before the Pastor’s Study class began and was videotaped by KGUN-TV for its The Morning Blend program. The TV host noted Grace’s role as a founder of Needlework for Nogales Children (N4NC) and her volunteer work at Keeling School and many other organizations. The award also was reported in the Arizona Daily Star.

Teaching needlework in Nogales

Needlework for Nogales Children (N4NC), an international assistance program, was developed in collaboration with HEPAC (Home of Hope & Peace) in Nogales, Sonora, to train women and children in needlework and other crafts to help them sustain their families. A team of volunteers travels regularly to Nogales to work with the women of the community. The N4NC project team also raises substantial funds through the sale of Ladder Yarn Necklaces to support other needs of the community in and around HEPAC.  Current projects include expanding the community garden and helping HEPAC re-open its day care center.

Collecting school supplies

We partner with Helen Keeling Elementary School to provide academic and many other forms of assistance to economically disadvantaged children. Help includes school supplies ranging from pencils to violins, a “Keeling Christmas” that provides gifts for children who otherwise would have none, and tax credit donations that the school can use as needed. Church volunteers put together “back packs” to provide nutritional support for 100 kids each weekend. Meanwhile, a team of tutors works with first-graders in a pilot program to improve their reading skills while other volunteers assist in an academic after-school program.