Dear Editor: The donation of 450 box fans from nine area Wal-Mart stores, recently, is the largest single business contribution in the history of FaithWorks. We are greatly indebted to Wal-Mart Market Manager Tony Stewart, as well as to Judy Sutton at The Church at Covington, who negotiated this generous gift. Hundreds in our community will get relief from summer's heat as well as high utility rates. We are very grateful for this level of support for our ministry's efforts to help the needy in this county and welcome Wal-Mart as partners in the challenge.

On an ongoing basis, the faithful support of our now 32 sponsoring churches has made possible some $300,000 in rent, mortgage and utility assistance since we opened our doors in January 2006. To date, a total of 2,500 families (or 4,000 individuals) have been approved for assistance after completing a valid application process including an investigation to verify the need. Our assistance is paid directly to landlords and utility providers.

This community has reached out and embraced FaithWorks and those who walk through our doors, and this seems a perfect opportunity to say thank you to those who make our work possible.