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Wednesday, January 03, 2007
From Basement to Boardroom: VA Charity Goes from Zero to $300 Million in Only Eight Years
For Immediate Release
Contact: Michael R. Shannon
703-583-6277 or mandate@comcast.net
Concord, VA - In 1998 the Rev. Ron Davidson's doctor told him that if he valued his health he had to retire as pastor of his 1200-member congregation in central Virginia. The idea was for Davidson to take a much-needed rest; the reality was Davidson borrowed his mother's basement to start a charity that in only eight short years has donated $300 million in life-saving emergency food, clothing and medical aid to victims in Africa, Asia, Central America, the Middle East and the US.
Why did Davidson disobey his doctors? Because he thought the lives of these thousands of innocent victims were at least as valuable as his own. "All over the world there are organizations that want to help but lack the supplies and materials to do it. My role is to connect donors of goods and equipment in this blessed and bountiful country of ours with those organizations and get the supplies where it will do the most good," Davidson explained.
Gleaning for the World began as a local mission to help homeless people and abused women. Rev. Ronald Davidson, a United Methodist minister, and his wife Jackie started their outreach work using returns and damaged goods "gleaned" from local stores and manufacturers. With the help of a few volunteers they were able to rapidly expand their reach past the limits of Central Virginia into impoverished countries that needed the supplies the most.
This month the total of donated and shipped goods and equipment passed the $300 million mark and Davidson has his sights set on reaching $400 million as quickly as possible. "The total tonnage that's been shipped since 1998 is now over 29 million pounds, at our current growth rate, the next $100 million milestone will be here before we know it." Davidson commented.
It spite of the impact Gleaning has had, the organization remains almost unknown. Davidson explains, "We never wave our flag and most people do not know we exist. That is fine with us. We do what we do because of our faith. From re-supplying Baghdad University Hospital, feeding orphans in Guatemala, to providing toys for children in Hungry, our job is to make certain people have what they need. The greatest ministry is the one behind the scenes that helps miracles happen. We are proud that God has allowed a few country people in a metal building in the middle of rural America to change the lives of people all over the world."
Davidson left the basement some time ago and now Gleaning works out of a new 15,000 square ft office/distribution complex in Concord, VA. The staff includes 10 fulltime employees helped by over 35 groups that volunteer each month. Yet the charity still runs a very lean operation, overhead expenses run only three percent, which is why Davidson can say, "if you give us one dollar - I can send $100 worth of supplies in the field."
To date, Gleaning has sent aid to 41 countries including: Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Congo, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Iraq, Kazakhstan and Russia. Gleaning was recently honored for its work with Tsunami and Katrina victims by the National Association of Broadcasters.
Gleaning for the World seeks to provide life-saving support to communities in critical need throughout the world by applying a powerful concept called "Gleaning"(tm). GFTW provides surplus medical and essential supplies to humanitarian projects worldwide using expedited distribution channels, efficient logistical support and dependable service between corporate donors and mission groups at the lowest possible costs.
For more information, please visit: http://gftw.org/index.html
*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.
The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
Contact: Michael R. Shannon
703-583-6277 or mandate@comcast.net
Concord, VA - In 1998 the Rev. Ron Davidson's doctor told him that if he valued his health he had to retire as pastor of his 1200-member congregation in central Virginia. The idea was for Davidson to take a much-needed rest; the reality was Davidson borrowed his mother's basement to start a charity that in only eight short years has donated $300 million in life-saving emergency food, clothing and medical aid to victims in Africa, Asia, Central America, the Middle East and the US.
Why did Davidson disobey his doctors? Because he thought the lives of these thousands of innocent victims were at least as valuable as his own. "All over the world there are organizations that want to help but lack the supplies and materials to do it. My role is to connect donors of goods and equipment in this blessed and bountiful country of ours with those organizations and get the supplies where it will do the most good," Davidson explained.
Gleaning for the World began as a local mission to help homeless people and abused women. Rev. Ronald Davidson, a United Methodist minister, and his wife Jackie started their outreach work using returns and damaged goods "gleaned" from local stores and manufacturers. With the help of a few volunteers they were able to rapidly expand their reach past the limits of Central Virginia into impoverished countries that needed the supplies the most.
This month the total of donated and shipped goods and equipment passed the $300 million mark and Davidson has his sights set on reaching $400 million as quickly as possible. "The total tonnage that's been shipped since 1998 is now over 29 million pounds, at our current growth rate, the next $100 million milestone will be here before we know it." Davidson commented.
It spite of the impact Gleaning has had, the organization remains almost unknown. Davidson explains, "We never wave our flag and most people do not know we exist. That is fine with us. We do what we do because of our faith. From re-supplying Baghdad University Hospital, feeding orphans in Guatemala, to providing toys for children in Hungry, our job is to make certain people have what they need. The greatest ministry is the one behind the scenes that helps miracles happen. We are proud that God has allowed a few country people in a metal building in the middle of rural America to change the lives of people all over the world."
Davidson left the basement some time ago and now Gleaning works out of a new 15,000 square ft office/distribution complex in Concord, VA. The staff includes 10 fulltime employees helped by over 35 groups that volunteer each month. Yet the charity still runs a very lean operation, overhead expenses run only three percent, which is why Davidson can say, "if you give us one dollar - I can send $100 worth of supplies in the field."
To date, Gleaning has sent aid to 41 countries including: Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Congo, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Iraq, Kazakhstan and Russia. Gleaning was recently honored for its work with Tsunami and Katrina victims by the National Association of Broadcasters.
Gleaning for the World seeks to provide life-saving support to communities in critical need throughout the world by applying a powerful concept called "Gleaning"(tm). GFTW provides surplus medical and essential supplies to humanitarian projects worldwide using expedited distribution channels, efficient logistical support and dependable service between corporate donors and mission groups at the lowest possible costs.
For more information, please visit: http://gftw.org/index.html
*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.
The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
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About Religion Press Release ServicesReligion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others. The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
