I had to stop in at the Downtown Presbyterian Church yesterday to assist a client who was getting some services from Pastor Ken and walked smack into the WaffleShop event in the process. I missed it last year but this year had an opportunity to check it out and from the stacks of green Tom was counting, it appeared to me at least that the event as a fundraiser had been wildly successful.And if you're a proponent of helping those experiencing homelessness, you'd better hope they had a massive turnout, because the DTP's Wednesday homeless lunch continues to see hundreds of people at each service and that number will surely continue expanding.....
Crowd Drawn To Long-Running Waffle Fundraiser
Posted: Dec 4, 2008 09:31 PM
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - About 1,000 people took part in the 82nd Annual Waffle Shop at the Downtown Presbyterian Church Thursday.
The holiday meal and bazaar support the church's building restoration fund and its homeless ministry.
Diners could also take a guided tour of the building, which particularly its Egyptian Revival sanctuary.
The church is located at the corner of Fifth and Church streets in downtown Nashville.
"We're a small church," said Tom Wills, co-chair of the event. "We're a church of about 95 members, but we like to consider the homeless as our members as well."
"Oh, I think it helps a lot and if you ever come by this church during the week, they're feeding the homeless people during the week," said Stacey Stoddard. "And it's a great thing that you see everybody here at the church out doing what they need to be doing to help the community."
But most will admit this was an event that you didn't want to miss. Even volunteers who start by serving and know it's an honor to someday work the waffle iron.
"It is! And it's usually given to those who have graduated to that position," said volunteer Judy Barr.
The top graduate this year was 88-year-old Damaris Steele. She's been volunteering since the 1930's, but not always on the waffle iron.
"No, no, no when I was at Vanderbilt, I was working out there on the tables. You have to get old to be able to sit down," she said.
It is a tradition that each year makes Music City just a little more appetizing.
Sixty five volunteers helped with the event Thursday.
The holiday meal and bazaar support the church's building restoration fund and its homeless ministry.
Diners could also take a guided tour of the building, which particularly its Egyptian Revival sanctuary.
The church is located at the corner of Fifth and Church streets in downtown Nashville.
"We're a small church," said Tom Wills, co-chair of the event. "We're a church of about 95 members, but we like to consider the homeless as our members as well."
"Oh, I think it helps a lot and if you ever come by this church during the week, they're feeding the homeless people during the week," said Stacey Stoddard. "And it's a great thing that you see everybody here at the church out doing what they need to be doing to help the community."
But most will admit this was an event that you didn't want to miss. Even volunteers who start by serving and know it's an honor to someday work the waffle iron.
"It is! And it's usually given to those who have graduated to that position," said volunteer Judy Barr.
The top graduate this year was 88-year-old Damaris Steele. She's been volunteering since the 1930's, but not always on the waffle iron.
"No, no, no when I was at Vanderbilt, I was working out there on the tables. You have to get old to be able to sit down," she said.
It is a tradition that each year makes Music City just a little more appetizing.
Sixty five volunteers helped with the event Thursday.
