Seniors honored

Kind at Heart Ministry holds fifth annual banquet

Kind at Heart Ministries honored about 50 seniors at its fifth annual banquet on Saturday evening.

The nonprofit holds the honor banquet each year to pay tribute to the people it serves, according to Wayne Thomas, pastor and founder of the ministry.

The event was held at the Cypress Barn and catering was donated by the Cotton Patch restaurant.

Volunteers gave honorees royal treatment and served them throughout the evening. Second Chance, a local band, provided entertainment. A video paying tribute to Kind at Heart clients who died in the past year was also presented.

“If those who come walk away with one thing, we want them to know it’s a privilege to help them,” Thomas said.

Kind at Heart Ministries is an interdenominational nonprofit that provides seniors and disabled people with encouragement, crises assistance, home improvement to make their property safer and more accessible, and neighbor services such as lawn care and housekeeping.

The banquet is not designed to be a fundraiser, but this year the event was sponsored by an anonymous donor, Thomas said.

Local businesses sponsored tables at $500 each, and the anonymous donor matched their contribution.

Together, they raised a total of $20,000 for the nonprofit, Thomas said.

More information about Kind at Heart Ministry is available online at kindatheart.org.

Emily Jessen/Special to the Herald-Leader Kind at Heart Ministry honored about 50 seniors and their family members at the organization’s fifth annual banquet, held Saturday at the Cypress Barn. The event raised more than $20,000 for the nonprofit, thanks to donations from table sponsors.

Janelle Jessen/Herald-Leader Kate Garrison, a John Brown University nursing student who regularly volunteers with Kind at Heart, served JoAllen Moose and her daughter, Gwen Moore.

Emily Jessen/Special to the Herald-Leader Pastor Wayne Thomas, director of Kind at Heart Ministries, spoke during the banquet.

Janelle Jessen/Herald-Leader Eunice Burd (right) and her daughter, Tammy, attended the banquet together. Eunice’s husband, Melvin Burd, was one of the 20 people who died in 2016 who were honored during the banquet.

Janelle Jessen/Herald-Leader A member of the band Second Chance (above) played the steel guitar for guests. At left, Second Chance provided entertainment for the fifth annual Kind at Heart Ministry banquet on Saturday.

Janelle Jessen/Herald-Leader Kind at Heart volunteer Larry Keith sang a cappella during the banquet.