In 2007, First Cumberland received a generous bequest (property given by will) from the estate of two church members, Paul and Juanita Hays. The gift was a large one, and for Rev. Jennifer Newell and the First Cumberland leaders, the possibilities seemed endless!
However, before they made any decisions about how best to use the money, they committed themselves to a full tithe of the Hays gift, saying “To do anything less would be to fail to honor the generous hand of God.”
In the fall of 2020, they were finally able to fully liquidate the estate, and immediately made plans to invest the tithe. Thirty percent of that money went to support Cumberland Presbyterian work in the United States and overseas. But they decided early on that the remaining 70% would stay in our community to support the work of what they believed to be “twelve incredible organizations whose care for ‘the least of these’ neighbors of ours is a beautiful reflection of Christ’s compassion for us all.”
We were both humbled and honored to find out the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Ocoee Region was on that list of twelve.
In her letter to the Club, Rev. Newell said, “We appreciate the work you do in our community. As you build relationships with the children of our community, you share God’s love, light, and hope in life-changing ways. To God be the glory!
“Enclosed is a one-time gift, and there are no strings attached. Just keep doing what you do best.”
We are incredibly grateful to Rev. Newell and the leadership of First Cumberland for their wonderful generosity and for their faith in us … to help make Great Futures possible for those kids who need us most!
