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Christian Community Action was named the 2008 Non-Profit of the Year at the annual Unity in Communities Luncheon last week, where 19 non-profits were highlighted. Elected officials, non-profit employees and volunteers, members from chambers of commerce, and citizens from Lewisville, Highland Village and Flower Mound, all came together to recognize the various non-profits in Southern Denton County and learn more about what they do.         

     Before the luncheon, which was the third annual, attendees could stroll down a line of tables that the non-profits had set up to distribute information about their causes. Those with the non-profits were hoping to find a possible new volunteer, board member, or make some other valuable connection that would benefit those that the non-profit serves. “We all need a place to focus our energy and our time,” said Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce President Katy Taggart. Out of the 19 non-profits represented, there were three finalists announced. They were CASA of Denton County, INC, Communities in Schools of North Texas, and Christian Community Action, which was declared the top pick for 2008. The mayors of Highland Village, Flower Mound and Lewisville each presented one of the finalists. “We are three individual cities but we come together to make a community,” noted Lewisville Mayor Dean Ueckert.
          

     CCA was profiled by Flower Mound Mayor Jody Smith, who said that CCA employs 120 staff members and has help from more than 2,500 volunteers to help administer more than 30 community programs, including serving around 57,000 lunches to school age children during the summer and providing around 2,900 children with holiday gifts during the Christmas season. Smith said CCA had quite a few accomplishments in 2008, including opening their second affordable day care center and doubling the size of their community garden. “CCA is truly making a difference in the community,” Mayor Smith said. “They are bringing hope.”     

     On hand to accept the award for CCA was their president and CEO, Scott Orr, who thanked the community for all the support they give the organization. “It’s a testament to this community that you step forward,” he said. Orr said, with the recent downturn in the economy, CCA has seen a 30% increase in the number of people that need help and they are currently serving around 3,000 people per week at the food pantry located in Lewisville. “We have great plans for the future. It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of this community,” Orr said. CCA’s mission statement says “In the spirit of Jesus Christ, Christian Community Action ministers to the poor by providing comprehensive services that alleviate suffering, bring hope and change lives.” Their website says that for more than 35 years, Christian Community Action has been feeding, sheltering, educating and training families in need within 42 communities throughout Collin, Dallas, Denton, Tarrant and Wise counties.

     In one year, CCA assists more than 12,000 individuals, distributing more than $1.4 million of food and seeing more than 4,000 low-income patients in their health center. They also have more than 1,660 people taking educational and vocational training programs at their facility annually. For more information on CCA, visit ccahelps.org.