The Beckley Day of Hope is returning to the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center on Saturday, Aug. 14. To make the event possible, 800 volunteers are needed.
According to event coordinator and Calvary Assembly of God Pastor John Jordan, about 2,500 guests of honor attend the Beckley Day of Hope each year.
“That’s how many people we get the privilege to serve,” Jordan stated. “The first year we had it, we had about 3,100 people.”
The day is dedicated to helping the less fortunate in southern West Virginia by offering a free lunch, groceries, medical screenings (including vision), and family portraits. Everyone from children to adults throughout southern West Virginia can attend the event.
Two services that are uniquely available to kids are free haircuts and free shoes, Jordan said. But, other than those services, everything else is provided to anyone who needs help.
Gates are open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. There is no pre-registration and no questions are asked. However, some of the medical screenings and programs do require photo identification.
“You just show up,” Jordan said for those who wish to attend the Beckley Day of Hope.
In order to serve this many guests, Jordan is asking for volunteers. For anyone who wishes to volunteer during the Saturday event, be at the Calvary Assembly of God at 319 Sunset Drive in Beckley at 7 p.m. on Friday, August 13.
“We will gather once again on Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. at the Raleigh County Convention center where we will assign people different locations to serve on that day,” Jordan said.
The Beckley Day of Hope started as a direct result of an organization called Convoy of Hope, Jordan explained.
That organization, out of Springfield, Missouri, offers humanitarian services around the world. About 20 years ago, Jordan said he became aware of the organization and how they go into communities and create a blueprint for churches on how to help the needy.
“Ten years ago, we were able to partner with them and have our first Beckley Day of Hope,” Jordan said. “It gives us an opportunity to truly, in a tangible way, provide hope and the love of Christ. We are called to share with people, not only through our words but through our actions, the love of Jesus. It is our hope and desire that we continue to do this, so that on this one day people who are struggling with things in their life may, for a few hours, not feel the pressures of whatever they are dealing with. They won’t have to be concerned about where their next meal is coming from.”
“It’s a judgment free zone,” Jordan continued. “Come out, have fun, get lunch, take home some groceries and get connected with an agency that can provide assistance. All this is done with the desire to show people the love of God and know that there is hope.”
For more information, visit beckleydayofhope.org.
