Legacy Scholarship Program

Midland Fair Havens Volunteer Of The Month

          Melody Lewellen has received the Volunteer of the Month Award for January for her dependability and willingness to serve the Lord and love on the children at Midland Fair Havens. For almost a year, she has helped with childcare on Monday nights while the mothers attend Life Skills training classes.

     Melody and her husband Bill worship at Golf Course Road Church of Christ. She is the office manager at their business, Lewellen Construction. Melody has a special place in her heart for the families here. Displayed on the wall at Midland Fair Havens are the words from Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Melody said those are the very words that have sustained her on many occasions, “Those words are what Midland Fair Havens is all about. Through its ministry the ladies at Fair Havens do have a hope and a future.

     Many people are involved in enriching the lives of these women. My part is minor but it enables others to use their gifts and minister to these women. For them I am grateful and count it as a privilege to be a part of this wonderful ministry.”

     We are so grateful for her dedication to the Lord and to the mission of Midland Fair Havens.

The Volunteer for February is Sandra Rybicki.

Sandra home schooled her three children for nine years. They are now off to college and Sandra uses her talents to help the residents with math and English skills.

     “The women I tutor are motivated to learn and do their best to pass the G.E.D. test,” says Sandra. She has helped with tutoring over the past year. Sandra and her husband Art attend New Life Presbyterian and she also volunteers at Pro-Life Midland.  

March's Volunteer is Heather.

Heather has chosen Fair Havens to volunteer her time at as she works towards her Legacy Scholarship hours. Heather loves children, both here and in the church nursery at First Baptist where she has worked for the past three years. Heather has been such a blessing to the children  at Fair Havens. Heather has helped to make a difference in the  future of these precious children with her devotion.

     Amanda Siruta received the Volunteer of the Month Award for April for her unending devotion to the children at Fair Havens. Having been raised by a single mother herself, Amanda has a compassionate heart for the moms at Fair Havens. “My mother worked full-time and went to school part-time. We had a lot of help along the way to get where we are today.

     I just remember how hard it was to accept help, time, after time, after time. I always wondered when it would be my turn to help someone. I believe I have heard the answer to that question!

     It boosts my spirit for the entire week to see the positive changes these families at Fair Havens are working for and achieving. I empathize with where they have been, understand where they are at now, and know that for all of their hard work there is a reward. Everyone deserves someone cheering for them. While I'm not jumping around on the sidelines with pom-poms, I do pray for these families and want them to know they are priceless...that's why I volunteer” says Amanda.      Amanda and her husband attend St. Stephens Catholic Church, is the secretary for Permian Basin Central BPW group, serves on the board of the UTPB Business Alumni Association and is also a member of the Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society in Business.

     What a blessing Amanda has been to Fair Havens! We are so fortunate to have Amanda cheering and praying for these families so they may have a  future and a hope. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

May Volunteer of the Month

Sammy Daulong is the mastermind behind Midland Fair Haven’s web page at www.midlandfairhavens.org.   Sammy is a pilot and watched from above as the construction of the new facility took place. We are so blessed to have Sammy’s skills devoted to this ministry.

“…I will bless you…and you will be a blessing to many others.” Genesis 12:2

             Rhonda Turner has been volunteering at Fair Havens since we     opened the new facility on Whitmire. She also volunteers for Martin County Historic Carmelite Convent—Soup Cook-off.  She attends First Baptist Church in Stanton with her family where she helps with the Fireworks stand, youth camp and mission trips.  Rhonda supports the mission at Fair Havens and sees how they are changing lives for the families that live here.  She wants to be a factor in helping these women achieve their goals.

Ann Gilbert spent most of her summer break with the children at Fair Havens. She is returning to New Tribes Bible Waukesha College in Wisconsin to continue learning the  skills  necessary  to  become  a missionary.  She takes pride in  helping  others  to learn and grow in the Lord.  Please  pray  for  Ann  as  she  embarks on God’s calling for her life.

God is so good to bring just the right people at just the right time!  These two sisters, Katherine and Christine Folger came to Fair Havens to work on their community service hours towards the Congressional Award. The children and staff have enjoyed the gifts and talents they have been able to share with this ministry. They have also volunteered at St. Vincent De Paul, Casa de Amigo’s and Safe Place.  Their family attends St. Ann’s Catholic Church.

Jimmy and Eric have helped to raise awareness for this ministry by using their gifts and talents to reach people not only here in Midland, but all across Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia, Maryland and even as far as Singapore. Jimmy is a current board member at Fair Havens and has a blog on www.mywesttexas.com  This is the second year for Eric to participate in the event. Eric publishes a local blog at the  Fire Ant Gazette  (www.fireantgazette.com). Eric explains, "Blog is shorthand for weblog (or website log). In the simplest terms, a blog is an online journal. Each entry is called a post, and entries appear in chronological order, with the most recent showing up at the top of the page”. Thanks to Eric and Jimmy for sacrificing  themselves as virtual volunteers and advocates for this ministry. Thanks to all the donors for your support and pledges that have helped them to set a new record total of $5,000!