Beech Tree News Network

Saturday, September 15th at the Hartford United Methodist Church, members of the area chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), SAR and C.A.R. held a joint meeting of the three groups. Melanie Hunt, Regent of the Green River Chapter and Pam Bradley, Regent of the Ft. Hartford Chapter coordinated the event that included members from 10 chapters of the Kentucky Society, as well as Charles Duncan Sons of the American Revolution and the Green River Children of the American Revolution.
Debra Duncan, Chaplain of the Green River Chapter asked the blessing before the meal that took place in the fellowship hall in the basement of the church. Following a delicious, bountiful meal catered by the ladies of the United Methodist Church members and guests retired to the sanctuary for the program.
Melanie Hunt, Regent of the Green River DAR welcomed everyone and presided for the remainder of the program. Kathryn Young of the Capt. William Rowan DAR delivered the invocation and Denzil Coleman, Charles Duncan SAR led the pledge to the flag. Cindy Byrd, KSDAR First District Director and member of the Paducah Chapter spoke on the writing of the Star Spangled Banner in 1814, during the war of 1812, and then led the assembly in the singing, accompanied on piano by Carolyn Goodman, Second District Director and member of the Cox's Creek Chapter. The American's Creed was led by Janice Lear of the John Fitch DAR. The Preamble to the Constitution was led by Joyce Porter Hammers of the Butler County DAR. The President General's Message was given by Laura Waldron of the Col. John Green DAR. The National Defense message was given by Bobbie Jean Burnett, Russellville DAR; Indian Minute was given by Martha Rogers of the Elizabeth Campbell Russell DAR; Conservation Minute was given by Bettie Majors, Ft. Hartford DAR; Flag Fact was given by Savara Johnson, Green River C.A.R. and the Constitution Mini-Program was given by Carolyn Goodman, KSDAR Second District Director and member of the Cox's Creek DAR.

Christine Coleman, member of the Green River DAR and Treasurer of People Who Care Ministries, Inc., gave the history of the organization. She described the purpose and beginnings of the organization as being the vision of Jimmy Flener, President of PWC. PWC has been organized since December of 2005 to help place men and women into drug rehabilitation recovery centers. The group obtained non-profit status with the IRS in 2010 and just last year, July 2011, opened a recovery center for women in rural Butler County, that houses eight women. The center was named for Andrea Coleman, who at the time of her death in September 1997, was a social worker in the Ohio, Daviess and McLean County areas.

Mrs. Coleman introduced Leslie Cardwell, the director of Andrea's Mission who described the programming at Andrea's Mission, which includes daily devotions, on-site Bible studies and Christian counseling, church services, Celebrate Recovery classes, volunteer work in the community, parenting
classes, substance abuse classes, anger management, and financial planning for preparation after graduation. The faith based, Christ centered program operates strictly on donations.
Leslie introduced Debra Duncan, Chaplain of the Green River DAR, a retired school teacher who went back to school and became a Christian counselor and for the past year has donated two days each week to the programming at Andrea's Mission. She conducts a Bible study one morning each week and then spends another whole day, working with each resident, individually. Andrea's Mission could not function without its volunteers.
Leslie introduced two of the residents of Andrea's Mission who gave their testimonies.
Mary Cottrell Elder of the Green River Chapter gave the benediction