Do you have a treasured family heirloom that has been in your family for many generations? When you think about it, what comes to mind? Love, joy, honor, memories? An heirloom is a piece of property that descends to the heir as an inseparable part of an inheritance. These treasured pieces are given from one generation to the next for various reasons: to create a legacy, preserve family stories and history, or instill family values.
As God’s children, He has given us spiritual ‘heirlooms’ of love, service, and salvation as part of our inheritance. Ephesians 1:18 says. “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people.” We are thankful our staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners gift the Samaritan Center their spiritual heirlooms to provide help and hope to our neighbors in need.
The Samaritan Center carefully stewards the spiritual heirlooms of service and donated items to help and support our community by God’s guidance and provision. This legacy of service and stewardship began 35 years ago, with Kitty King leading the Dorcas society of the Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church. It continued to grow through Bill and Harry Hulsey and their family’s dedication, as well as Gail Williams’ and Tony Dahlberg’s leadership. God’s blessings and our community’s support are deeply woven into the fabric of the Samaritan Center’s ministry.
In order to steward our resources well, the Samaritan Center seeks guidance from a board of directors. Our board members serve the Center by offering their time, discernment, and wisdom. From the beginning, the Board of Directors has been a guiding hand to the Center.
Since 2005, Ben Wygal has served faithfully on the Samaritan Center’s board of directors and became Board Chairman in 2006. Ben was drawn to the ministry of the Samaritan Center as Bill Hulsey made him aware of the miraculous development of the Center’s services and facilities through God’s many blessings.
At the end of this year, Ben will successfully conclude his leadership as Board Chairman. During his service, he has given much of his time to provide wise counsel, meaningful encouragement, and leadership as the ministry of the Samaritan Center grew. Reflecting over his many years of service, Ben shared that he is humbled by how God has led in positioning the Samaritan Center to develop resources to serve many thousands of individuals in just the right time and circumstances. He has experienced true joy in playing a small part in working with the board and Tony Dahlberg and his team in helping lead this wonderful ministry.
Because of people like Ben giving their time, spiritual gifts, and possessions, the Samaritan Center has been able to meet the physical, spiritual and social needs of people in our community using the ministry of Jesus as our model. We do this by assisting those in need with rent, mortgage, utility, food, personal care items, and much more. By partnering financially with the Samaritan Center, your gift supports the continued legacy of service as part of our heirloom. Together, we can continue to provide our community with help for today and hope for tomorrow.