Letter from the Publisher

Small charities can do big things

WHEN I BOUGHT OCALA MAGAZINE THREE YEARS AGO, one of my main goals was to shine a light on all the charitable organizations that do such great work in this community. Here we have large international charities as well as small ones that have no hand outside the borders of Marion County. It’s these small charities, where local folks with boots on the ground and limited subsidies from large parent organizations, that reflect the charitable spirit as much or more than any other. It’s not just funding or providing assistance to the needy, it’s the direct contact and help to the neighbor across the street that is so welcome, and that’s where this month’s Charity Spotlight falls. All churches have a mission, and that mission most likely involves some charitable endeavors. When we think of these churches, often images of large and wealthy congregations come to mind.

At Shores Assembly of God, only 25 members sit in the pews on Sundays, yet the work being done would seem as if it is much larger. Through its mission of day care, child education, adult work training and many other services, Shores Assembly, under the guidance of Pastor John Delcamp, is making a huge difference in the lives of people hailing from one of the most disadvantaged areas of the county.

What the church takes in, it gives away. Around 90 percent of congregational tithes and outside donations are dispersed among the needy, with only a paltry amount staying in to cover much-needed overhead costs of the church. Understandably, the percentage could be lower like most other charities, but the mission here harkens to that parable of the widow who, although poor herself, gave her only two coins which she would otherwise have depended on for her livelihood.

It’s this kind of charitable spirit that we can all learn from.

IN JULY, WE CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY, and I think it is a good time once again to reflect on the blessings we have living in this country. So many have fought and died to preserve our freedoms and we cannot let many of today’s petty squabbles cause us to lose sight of this.

Our freedoms and our prosperity are linked. As such, we should take this month to remember and thank all the men and women who have served this country and keep us all free and safe.

Though many try to separate us into groups of choice, we should all take notice of the one thing that unites us – we are citizens and protectors of this great land. When the fireworks blast this month, I will be cheering and praying for a brighter future, one that includes a return to normalcy from this wicked pandemic as well as one that includes prosperity for all.

The blessings of freedom should not be mocked, nor should they be deprived of anyone. This Independence Day, I think it is important to remember the final words of our Pledge: “With liberty and justice for all.”

‘Til next month,

Kids at Shores Assembly

Photo by Ralph Demilio

PHILIP GLASSMAN, PUBLISHER