"I Didn't Know Anyone Cared About Me" - An End of Year Request

December 10, 2020

Dear Friend,

A few weeks ago, we held the 2nd Annual Fall Benefit Dinner for Leverage Ministries. It was a great evening with friends and supporters as we had the opportunity to share how God has blessed Leverage through what has been a very difficult past year. Our theme was “Taking a Step in the Right Direction.” A young man named Trey shared his story about the impact of Leverage Ministries on his life. Mike and Missy Green also shared their story about how one step in the right direction literally saved Mike’s life.

But as great as the night was, the best part of the whole night was missed by everyone except for me. The best part of the whole night brought tears to my eyes, even though the event was over. The best part of the whole night was truly one of the greatest events I have ever experienced.

In addition to many Leverage supporters and friends, we invited the kids we work with at the George Harris Runaway Shelter and all the kids from our neighborhood groups. As the program was coming to a close, I asked our guests if they would be willing to make financial gifts so that we could help the kids who were there to take a step in the right direction. I prayed to end the evening, and the guests began to leave.

As we started to clean up, a young man from the shelter came straight up to me and thanked me for letting him come. He said to me, “I didn’t even know that people knew we existed, and I had no idea this many people cared about me.” As he was was thanking me, another young person from the shelter came up. He said, “This is all the money we have. Please take it so you can continue to reach kids like us. It’s making a difference, and we are living proof.” He handed me an envelope with cash that all the kids from the shelter collected. These kids weren’t even supposed to have any money, and what they did have, they gave to Leverage. 

WOW! I’ve never had something like this happen before. These kids who have almost nothing and who have faced more hardships and difficulties than many of us will face in our lifetime gave all they had because they knew what a difference our ministry had made in their own lives. 

Would you be willing to join the kids from the runaway shelter and support Leverage Ministries with a year-end gift? Your support will help us continue to reach the least, last and lost youth of Central Florida. You can give a gift online atwww.leverageministries.org/give-now or return a check in the enclosed envelope.

From all of us at Leverage Ministries, thank you for your support over the past year. We trust you will have a Merry Christmas andHappy New year.

God bless,

Scott Hirdes

Executive Director