Thanks for supporting ‘RealLove’ program

To the editor:

It is with great joy that we express our thanks to all the many business and volunteers that made our RealLove initiative such a success July 28 and the days leading up to it.

Between 750 to 800 volunteers from area churches gathered together to serve our Mat-Su community in many incredible ways. The day far exceeded our expectations and we plan to make it an annual event. Besides serving our senior communities, Head Start programs, several Valley schools, food banks, families and homeless teens were recipients of RealLove. Statistics are still being gathered to determine just how extensive RealLove’s reach was.

We are especially appreciative of the Frontiersman’s support of our project in getting the word out about the free school physicals, auto safety checks, emergency preparedness seminars and community picnic and celebration.

Special thanks goes to the following businesses and individuals for their awesome help.

Gold Level $1,000 or more: Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union, Builders Bargains, Army/Navy, Dr. Benjamin Kolean Dentistry, Gibson Roofing, Spenard Builders Supply, Dr. Elizabeth Turgeon — Lighthouse Family Medicine and Ron Fiscus (Shed for Haven).

Silver Level $500 to $999: First National Bank of Alaska, Allen & Petersen, Aeropostale, Quality Sand & Gravel, Sundberg Quality Homes, Level Construction, Rodda Paint, Sylvia’s Quilt Depot, Matanuska Telephone Association, Sysco, Greenstreet General Contracting and Highland Mountain Correctional Center.

Bronze Level $250 to $495: Selah Salon & Day Spa, Heat Source Mechanical, North Bowl, Integrity Excavating, Matanuska Electric Association, Subway, Mat-Su Water, P&M Gardens and Little Millers.

Community Partners: Dry Out Systems of Alaska, Papa John’s Pizza, Beehive Beauty Salon, Gifts, TLC & More, Arctic Beauty Supply — Bruce Scotland, REI, Wave Lengths Beauty Salon, Keller Plumbing, Value Village, Apex Plumbing, Wells Fargo, Vannoy Electric, Lowes, Arctic Office Supply, Happy Hooker Towing, P&M Gardens, Kaladi Brothers Coffee, Michael’s Craft Store, Lee Realty, Matanuska Electric Association, Arctic Office Supply, ENSTAR Natural Gas, Walgreen Drugs, Costco, MacHaus and Wal-Mart.

It goes without saying that without these wonderful supporters, RealLove would never have been the success it was. While every effort has been made to include all those who gave, if your business was missed, please accept our apologies. We are truly grateful for your help.

We also want to thank Palmer Mayor DeLana Johnson, Wasilla Mayor Verne Rupright, Mat-Su Borough Mayor Larry DeVilbiss, Rep. Shelley Hughes and Gov. Sean Parnell for joining us in our evening celebration. Tired but happy volunteers (some a little “grungy” around the edges from their hard day’s work) and their families celebrated our awesome Mat-Su community with music provided by recording artist Adele Morgan and other area musicians. Many thanks to them for making the evening awesome for all.

Last, without all the volunteers, nothing would have happened. So kudos to all of you who gave of your time and talents to make our first annual RealLove incredible!

Valley Pastors

Prayer Network