2015 Female citizen of the year

by: Charla Arnold 

There's a shiny new plaque now hanging in our office. Our very own Director and Co-Founder, Kendra Petty was awarded the 2015 Citizen of the Year Award by the Lapeer Area Chamber of Commerce. 
The Refuge has come along way in the 12 years since it started with a dream and a lunch meeting at Burger King. 12 years later... it has changed both the lives of our guests and those who have volunteered. It is a beautiful example of the Body of Christ working together to help the community. 
We have learned a lot over twelve years, and are very thankful for everyone who helps make this ministry work. Without you The Refuge would not be possible, nor would Kendra have won this beautiful award. This really is an award that all of you share in. This award stands for all of the hours of love and prayer every one of you have invested... from scheduling workers, cooking, showing up to help with shifts, helping with check ins and countless other jobs our volunteers do...we would like to say thank you.
 As a board we are simply caretakers of a ministry that belongs to you, the churches and community.
We have come a long way from that day at Burger King, but we still have big dreams we would like to see for this community. The most important being a warming center. Right now there are very limited options for people to go to stay warm during the day and that is a major prayer focus for us at this time. And we still have the dream of a permanent shelter so that The Refuge will not have to continue traveling. That dream almost came true this year, but unfortunately was not able to be realized. But we are still looking forward to the day when that dream will become reality. So thank you everyone for all that you do, because the reality is you are all citizens of the year. and we appreciate you. 

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