Reprinted with permission from the Rome News-Tribune
It might not have been the most traditional fundraiserChapel Hill United Methodist Churchhas ever had, but it will certainly be among the most memorable.
Dressed up like a giant scoop of ice cream, Chapel Hill pastor Ken Kulp was rolled out to a crowed of excited children eager to turn him into a human sundae.
The kids dumped whipped cream, fudge sauce, caramel and a few sprinkles on the minister, who played along. “He is a trooper,” said church member Linda Smith.
The Sundae Sunday was part of a region-wide fundraiser forMurphy-Harpst, a residential treatment home for severely neglected and abused children.
While the fundraiser ended up drawing in $701, Kulp said it wasn’t just about the money, it was coming together to help children in need.
But Rita Jones, one of the coordinators for the event, said she was thrilled with the amount of money the church raised.
“We think it’s awesome,” she said.
Murphy-Harpst serves children who have seen egregious cases of abuse and need therapy to become productive citizens, said Brian Hampton, a representative of the organization.
“By the grace of God, the good people who work at Murphy-Harpst and people like you, we can help these children,” he said.
Hampton said Murphy-Harpst is an “emotional, spiritual and physical safe haven.”
About 90 percent of the children, ages 6-18, who end up at the center go on to be adopted or placed in stable foster homes.
The program runs off limited state funds that cover room, board and supervision of the children, but they still need about $1.5 million annually for therapy and support services, Hampton said.
A portion of the funds raised Sunday will also go to the Matthew Initiative, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that helps churches in need of children’s programs.