Flagler County Family Assistance Center (FCFAC)
"The Sheltering Tree"
Annual Meeting Report
September 13, 2010
by Lee A. Willman, Chair

FCFAC would like to thank all of the volunteers who have worked countless hours throughout the year for all their efforts.  We would also like to acknowledge and thank:

The FCFAC Board of Directors hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Pasta Dinner in June.  Board members prepared and served the dinner.

During the last year FCFAC added two new members to the Board of Directors, Sue Bickings who works for the Flagler County school system and Jim Morelewicz who has been an active volunteer at the shelter since its inception.

This has been another busy year for FCFAC.  Flagler County’s winter weather not only hit record breaking low temperatures but the duration of the freezing temperatures also set new records. Vice Chairman, Carla Traister will report on the 2009-2010 winter season at the emergency cold weather shelter.

Richard Thompson, Treasurer of FCFAC, will provide an update on our financial condition which I am pleased to report is good.  Area churches, organizations and individuals have generously donated money to FCFAC to assist us in our mission.

Volunteers provided the majority of food necessary for meals at the shelter; however, FCFAC maintains a non-perishable food pantry for use when the shelter is open and to provide food for the Wednesday night meal served throughout the year in partnership with the FUMC of Bunnell and their Soul Café.  The FCFAC food pantry also provides emergency food to families and individuals in the community.    During the past year food drives were held at The Shepherd of the Coast, Weight Watchers, TOPS, Aradika’s Yoga, Matanzas River Yacht Club and the Daytona Cubs.  FCFAC also received food donations from Grace Tabernacle Ministries, Palm Harbor Golf Club, Emery Riddle, Florida Hospital Flagler, Palm Coast Young Professionals, Strathmore Bagels, Craig’s Eyewear and many individuals throughout the community.  Thanks to John and Arlene Cheyne for their fine efforts in designing and building the shelves for the pantry.

FCFAC in partnership with FUMC of Bunnell participated in Feed Flagler.  We also partnered with Flagler County Health Department to offer H1N1 flu shots at that time.  The Health Department, through the reserve medical corps, now provides an individual each Wednesday evening before dinner to check blood pressure and sugar levels.

FCFAC expanded the services provided during the shelter’s operation to include distribution of clothing and shoes.  FCFAC also distributed clothing, shoes and blankets to those in need in the community.  Lynn Hindman, chair, of the clothing committee will report on these activities.   Thanks to the efforts of Steve Jones, Chamber of Commerce Board Member, Top Shelf Storage in Palm Coast donated a storage unit for six months and thanks to an anonymous donor we received a shelving unit.  We have outgrown the original unit and Top Shelf has provided us a larger unit at a deeply discounted rate.

Thanks to volunteer efforts we were also able to provide haircuts to our shelter guests.

Chau Phan developed and maintains our website www.flaglershelter.info.  Articles, photos, reports and links are posted on the website.   Chau is also heading up the 2011 Flagler Churches Together in Prayer and Song which will take place at the Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church on Saturday, January 22, 2010, from 6 to 9 PM, and surprised us earlier this year when he advised all proceeds from next year’s event will be donated to FCFAC.  Information will be available on our website or at www.flagler-churches-together.info

FCFAC held its first fund raiser in March, Soup and Song.  The event, a sell out, will be held again in March of 2011.  Information will be available on our website.

FCFAC is working with other groups and agencies on a regular basis to coordinate efforts.  Representatives attend monthly meeting with:

Representatives also attended: FCFAC was again recognized by the Flagler County Commissioners for the emergency cold weather shelter operation.  A letter of Commendation from the County was presented to FCFAC by the County Commission.

Vice Chair, Carla Traister was awarded the Outstanding Senior Volunteer of the Year Award by the United Way for the 2009 year.  Carla also received The President’s Volunteer Service Award and a personal letter of thanks from President Obama.

The Board believes it is important to develop both short and long term goals and an action plan that will provide us with a framework in which to operate to successfully fulfill our mission.  Board member Jim Morelewicz is heading up FCFAC’s strategic planning effort.  An initial draft plan has been done and we encourage your review and feedback on the draft plan.  Jim will be working with interested members and the Board to refine the strategic plan.  Members interested in participating in the planning process can email Jim at FCFAC@yahoo.com

Respectfully submitted
Lee A. Willman, Chair

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