By Jeremy Garner
On January 25, 2015, the Runville United Methodist Charge youth group (Bellefonte, State College District) will hold their third annual 30-Hour Famine Benefit Concert featuring an hour of Southern Gospel music, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine. Tickets can purchased in advance or at the door, and a love offering will also be taken.
The concert is our kick-off fundraiser for World Vision, where we announce the beginning of the youth group’s solicitation of funds for the Famine challenge, as well as any other special fundraisers.
The 30 Hour Famine is one of our youth group’s biggest events of the year. The goal of the event is to: 1. Educate our youth on hunger around the world; 2. Raise money to feed and care for children in poverty,; 3. Complete a service project in our local community; 4. Allow students to fellowship with other Christians, and; 5. Grow a deeper relationship with Christ.
Last year we did our first annual Kiss-A-Cow fundraiser. The students nominated youth leaders, and the three leaders most nominated were in the running to kiss a cow. Votes were cast via donations at all of our charge’s three churches, and whoever had the most money/votes the night the 30 Hour Famine began had to kiss a cow during our Famine for all the kids to see, which was also videotaped and shown to the entire congregation at a later date.
Our service projects in 2014 included putting together mission central kits and cleaning up a local park’s ball field. One of the most favorite activities during the weekend was our photo scavenger hunt.
Eighteen kids and eight adults participated in the 2104 30-Hour Famine, for a total of 24 participants. Our goal was to raise $4,200 (enough to feed 10 children for a year) and we raised a total of $7,560 which was enough to feed and care for 18 children for a year. The 2014 Benefit Concert raised $4,200 alone.
Our goal for 2015 is $5,100 (caring for 12 children for a year at $425 each). Our service project is to be determined. Our 30 Hour Famine will be held March 20 – 21, 2015.
Visit www.30hourfamine.org for more information.
If you have questions about the concert, please contact Jeremy Garner at 814-571-1100 or Pastor Doug Mellott at 814-355-8027.
