wfn.org | Foundation receives financial boost from Dollar General exec

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Feb. 21, 2002	News media contact: Linda Green7(615)742-54707Nashville,
Tenn.     10-71B{068}

NOTE: This report is a sidebar to UMNS story #066.

By Rich Peck*

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - The foundation that supports scouting ministry of
the United Methodist Church and other programs of the denomination's men,
has received a commitment for $1 million from the top executive of
Nashville-based Dollar General.

Cal Turner has given $500,000 to the United Methodist Men's Foundation with
the promise to give an additional $500,000 at a later date. The recent gift
increases the market value of the foundation's portfolio to $1.6 million.

The announcement of the gift came at a Feb. 16 meeting of the National
Association of Conference Presidents of United Methodist Men. The foundation
supports the denomination's scouting ministry and other programs of the
Commission on United Methodist Men.
 
Foundation President Robert Powell said Turner regards the gift as an
investment in ministry to young people. He challenged the men to participate
in a variety of fund-raising activities including Sport-a-Thon, in which
local United Methodist Men's units raise funds by seeking pledges for
sporting events such as bowling, running or golf. He also called on the men
to give more John Wesley Awards; each award raises $1,000 for the
foundation.

At the same session, the conference presidents honored Bishop Ernest Lyght,
commission president, by naming him a member of the Society of John Wesley
Fellows. Presidents in the South Central Jurisdiction also announced plans
to raise funds in order to honor President George Bush as a member of the
society.
# # #
*Peck is communications consultant for the churchwide Commission on United
Methodist Men.

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United Methodist News Service
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