Saturday night we were Blessed with the incredible opportunity to attend the 2010 Children's Champion Award Celebration Banquet. The event is usually held in California, so we were very lucky it was in our own backyard this year.
Now, I know I have mentioned a few times how much I love our company USANA. The fact that our company sponsored the entire event just gives even more reason why I believe so strongly in what I am doing. I honestly had no idea what the even was supposed to be, but have a serious heart for The Children's Hunger Fund so I was eager to go and support such a wonderful organization.
About Children's Hunger Fund (CHF): CHF was founded in 1991 by a wonderful man, Dave Phillips. They have distributed more than $875 million in food and other resources to serve more than 10 million children in 35 states and 72 countries worldwide. It is a Christian 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization that works to alleviate the suffering of children in impoverished regions across America and around the world. Through strategic partnerships in targeted communities, CHF works to improve the lives of poor children and their families holistically, meeting their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. They are well- known for program efficiency. Since founded, Children's Hunger Fund has given an average of .99 of every dollar to serving children in need.
Since 2002, USANA has been partnered with Children's Hunger Fund and it has been a beautiful friendship. We hear from Dave Phillips himself every year at our International Convention, do a CHF walk/run at Convention, and local events nationwide to raise money for them. Another amazing thing is our company gives us volume in our business for contributions to CHF. That is unheard of in the industry of Network Marketing.
Last year we were so Blessed to get a beautiful CHF warehouse here in San Antonio,TX. For the associates here in town, it has brought this wonderful non-profit even closer to our hearts. If it's boxing Food Paks, filling back backs or wrapping gifts for Children, the USANA associates in San Antonio are HUGE supporters of this great group!
Back to the event on Saturday..... I had no idea what to expect of this event. I know and love this organization, but had no idea what this event was for. Turns out it was to celebrate people who may or may not be partnered with CHF to be recognized for their efforts in helping children. The night opened with our Pastor from our church: CBC, Chris Emmitt. This was a wonderful surprise! Our church has done many wonderful things for CHF this past year since they came to town and we love that our business and church both love this wonderful charity. It was MC'd by Francis Chan who is a legend in the Christian arena. The event was classy, beautiful and gave heart to all of the children who are in need and the amazing people who are stepping out to help them.
Awards: Childrens Champion Award: exists to recognize those who have used their positions of influence in government, business, public life, and charity to ensure that children - children they may never meet - receive hope against the odds.
*Carlos Pimentel, Executive VP of Esperanza International *Michael and Carol Hart, Founders of ZOE International Ministries *David Robinson, The Carver Academy The Nehemiah Award- Donnie Laurence, First VP, Investment Officer Nebens/Laurence Wealth Mangement Group The Widow's Mite Award- Francisco and Taylor Rodriquez
Wow.. these awards and recipients were inspiring! The winners of The Widow's Mite Award were especially phenomenal to me. The Rodriquez's decided to see if a CHF Food Pak was enough to feed a family for a week. They decided for one week, they would purchase and eat only items found in one Food Pak. They wanted to see if they had the will power and resourcefulness to survive a week without excess. They survived and have a new understanding of their own needs. Now, the young couple live off of a simple food budget of $10/week and with the money they save they support Children's Hunger Fund and other food and water organizations! WOW! What an amazing couple who is trying to to change the world, little by little. http://taylorfrankie.blogspot.com is where you can find this amazing couple!
My absolute favorite and most inspiring recipients were the Hart's who founded ZOE International Ministries. I am not really sure why this cause hit me as hard as it did, since we have yet to have children but hearing this POWERFUL couple speak about their cause brought me to tears. And not just tears, sobs at some points. The purpose of ZOE is to rescue children from slavery, and give them a brand new life free from fear, hunger, and the dangers that surround them. They have a Children's Home in northern Thailand and are doing amazing things with the love and grace of God. I plan on learning more about this ministry and doing more to help their cause. More can be found on the Hart's at www.gozoe.org.
As you can see, this was a very powerful event for all who attended. We are so Blessed to be able to give our time and money to such an amazing organization who makes children their #1 priority. I also thank USANA for their partnership with this amazing organization and bringing it so close to my heart. <3
