A blessed beginning: BUCM kicks off fundraising drive for new building
Burke United Christian Ministries Executive Director Alice Horton smiles as she talks to the crowd at BUCM’s blessing event for its new home last Sunday.
The Rev. Kevin Frederick addresses the audience at BUCM’s blessing event.
Willette McIntosh sings during the BUCM blessing event last Sunday.
The crowd listens to Willette McIntosh sing during the BUCM blessing event. The mission kicked off the second phase of its fundraising effort to move into its new home on East Fleming Avenue. The charity is halfway to its $5 million goal.
The campaign to fund Burke United Christian Ministries’ move to its new home is off and running.
The ministry kicked off the second phase of its “God’s Heart, Our Home” fundraising drive Sunday afternoon with a blessing ceremony dubbed “Brick by Brick” at its new location, the former Food Lion supermarket at 576 E. Fleming Drive.
The charity, which feeds thousands of food-insecure residents each year and provides a number of services for the poor and homeless, is already halfway to its goal of $5 million after an initial silent phase of the fundraising effort.
On a warm, early fall Sunday, more than 150 people packed the front section of the cavernous building that will eventually house BUCM. The nonprofit is leaving the West Union Street location it has occupied for the last two decades.
Those in attendance heard, among other things, the Rev. Kevin Frederick speak, Willette McIntosh sing, and BUCM Executive Director Alice Horton rejoice about the opportunities awaiting the organization.
“Today is more than just a ceremonial moment,” Horton said. “It’s a celebration of how far we’ve come in the past 49 years. Forty-nine years, and we’re going to have a new building at year 50. We’re going to have a new building. Amen.”
The mission was started in 1975 to help the less fortunate in Burke County and had called West Union Street home since 2001. Burke Charitable Properties, which owned that building, announced early last year it was putting the property on the market.
After a trying search, BUCM found a nearly perfect spot. The East Fleming building is 44,000 square feet, compared to 26,000 at West Union. The interior of the former grocery store is wide open, meaning it can be built out to suit the mission’s purposes.
There is plenty of room for BUCM’s soup kitchen, food pantry, and thrift store. It’s even large enough for community partner organizations to share the space.
Staff members took guests on guided tours Sunday, pointing out where various features will be placed.
“This is not just the beginning of a new building. It’s the continuation of our mission to serve our community with love, passion, and hope,” BUCM Board of Directors Chair Pat Irwin told the crowd.
Frederick said BUCM’s mission follows the teachings of Jesus in that it offers “good news to the poor, release to the captive, and recovery of sight to the blind.”
“This will be a center of hope for many lives, and an opportunity for many of us to continue our service to Christ through these doors.”
McIntosh closed the ceremony by leading a heartfelt sing-along of “This Little Light of Mine.”
Horton’s words heralded the new beginning with an unmistakable tone of optimism.
“As we look to the future, BUCM has a bright path ahead,” Horton said. “With a new, 44,000-square-foot building, we will be able to reach even more people. We’ll offer training, provide community partner spaces, create opportunities for employment, and — most importantly — share Christ’s love in ways that will continue to transform lives.”
Marty Queen may be reached at 828-445-8595 or marty@thepaper.media.
