Author: Mang Sonna

The Bethel Beacon February 2022

Dear Bethel Friend, In the month of February, we talk more about the beauty of LOVE, and we celebrate love that is life-giving. The power and importance of love cannot be overemphasized. Love is necessary to have a healthy family and a nurturing community life. While everything we do, or the knowledge and skills we possess are meaningless without love, the scripture stresses on the importance of love - “Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Cor. 13). The love we have shown through what we do at Bethel Center protects our neighbors, increases their trust, offers hope, and helps them to persevere and overcome the challenges of life. Thank you so much for your continued prayers and financial support of the life-giving activities we do at Bethel Neighborhood Center.
We are very excited to announce an outstanding gift from The Sunderland Foundation in support of our capital campaign to build a health and wellness center gymnasium. The Sunderland Foundation has awarded us a $400,000 grant, which brings the campaign’s total funds raised to $779,628.86. The Foundation, a leading philanthropic partner in Kansas City, is known for supporting construction and special interest projects that allow nonprofits to expand and fulfill their missions. The new space will allow Bethel to provide indoor recreation and exercise programs; hold community health fairs, clinics, and education seminars; offer multi-use event space to strengthen community ties; and provide an emergency shelter. Sandra Olivas, Bethel board member and community development officer at First Federal Bank of Kansas City, said the board is thrilled to see this new initiative come to fruition. “On behalf of our Bethel Board, we are so grateful to The Sunderland Foundation for the generous financial support of our project to improve the lives of Bethel families,” Olivas said. “We can’t wait to see the new gymnasium filled with smiling children playing sports and our senior citizens enjoying daily exercise programs. Thank you for believing that everyone, regardless of economic limitations, deserves a chance to live a healthy and happy life.”
In recent months, we also received significant donations from the Love family, the Kansas Baptist Convention Foundation, the American Baptist Women of Central Region, and The Barton P. & Mary D. Cohen Charitable Trust. We are thrilled and are very grateful to all of you for your generosity. Our dream will become a reality in the near future. It is very encouraging for us to have your support in the work we do. You all have given us the motivation and encouragement we need to work daily with our community members in the after school program, senior program, sewing class, food pantry, and other activities and services we do in our city. We count on you and your prayer and financial support.
We hope and pray that you will give and receive LOVE this month and the rest of your life. May God bless you and your Valentine abundantly!
Rev. Mang & Nem Sonna
Bethel Neighborhood Center