Burleson Star (Burleson, Tex.), Vol. 21, No. 34, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 5, 1987 Page: 4 of 32
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4A—Burleson Star, Thursday, February 5,1987
BMAA needs more hands
reaching out to help
others in the community
BY DOTOE WILSON
Reaching Out To Help Others —
it’s the motto of the Burleson
Ministerial Alliance Auxiliary.
But the breadth of the reaching
out has not always been as ex-
pansive as it is today. The num-
ber of pairs of hands doing the
reaching out have multiplied.
But still, there are not enough.
The agency began small, ac-
cording to Gary Matzner, BMAA
president, with six churches
sending lav members to the
organizational meeting in April
of 1984. There was one minister
on the stain lor guidance and
direction when the agency began
its work in Burleson. And from
that small beginning, the BMAA
has grown and developed in its
quest to assist needy people ot
the community.
Statistics from 1986 indicate
that $17,869 has been given in
financial aid to deserving families
with severe problems; 1,602 in-
dividuals received a total of
27,469 pounds ot food, and 2,383
individuals received 6,793 items
of clothing. In one year alone.
The tremendous need for the
agency here is reflected bv those
numbers. And still, the BMAA
remains a totally volunteer
agency, doing a huge job ol ad-
diessing the many different types
ot needs ot unfortunate Burleson
neighbors.
LOOKING BACK, taking slock
ot where they have been, and
looking ahead to the future ot
the BMAA, were the dual pur-
poses ot last Thursday night's
meeting, held at First Christian
Church. Volunteers from the
BMAA met with representatives
ot the Burleson Ministerial
Alliance (local pastors) and lay
members ot several churches to
take a look at what has been hap-
pening m Burleson under the
guidelines ol the assistance
agency Rev Mike Wills of First
Christian Church and Rev Rick
Owen of St. Matthew Pres-
byterian ( hutch attended, along
with lepresentativcs ot numerous
otliei Burleson churches.
Matzner capsulized the BMAA
Iv'Ua-v bv reminding tfio-e pre-
sent that onlv five vears ago there
was no BMAA, no Women's
Shelter, and very little Senior
Citizen activity in Burleson. "At
that time the BMA was trying to
take care of transients in need.
That year, First Christian and
First Baptist Church took care of
a few families at Christmas time.
Everyone knew, though, that
when Christmas was over there
were people in our community
who were still hungry."
When representatives of the
few churches banded together to
form the nucleus of the BMAA in
1984, a very large ministry began.
"Whenever we seemed to be out
of money, something would hap-
pen to make if work,” said
Matzner. “And for those ot us
who have worked with the
BMAA, God has blessed us with
much more than we've put
into it."
Matzner said the agency has
three properties now and is com-
puterized. "People who donate
can be assured that the money is
going where it should be and that
no one is taking advantage of the
agency. We have checks and
balances now to be sure than no
one person or family is going to
different churches tor a duplica-
tion ot assistance," he explain-
ed.
NOW DURING THE holidays
it is no longer a church or a tew
churches supporting the Christ-
mas program, but rather the en-
tire community. “Burleson is
truly becoming the standard in
the eyes ol other communities.
This past year, between 60 and
70 families received assistance,
with each child receiving 7-10
Christmas gilts,” said Matzner.
The Women’s Shelter located
in Burleson was an outgrowth ot
the interest and work of a num-
ber of women here. "But only
one stayed with it w hen the going
got tough," said Matzner Freda
and Floyd (Adams) have worked
hard to make a comfortable tem-
porary home for women in des-
perate situations." When necess-
ary in past years, funds, food,
and clothing items have been
shared between the two agencies
(BMAA and Women's Shelter.)
Matzner commented that tie
feels there is still some confusion
in the community about the
BMAA. “A lot of people think we
are ministers, don’t realize that
we are a benevolent organization
made up of volunteer la’y people.
We are asking your help in get-
ting the word out to people and
helping them understand that we
need more volunteers,” said
Matzner. "We’ve come a long
way in three years (going into
our fourth). But our volunteers
are tired. They’ve done the lion’s
share of the work in many dif-
ferent areas. Many of them need
some relief —some time to do
other things, spend with their
families."
KAY SMITH, WHO HAS direc-
ted the Holiday Friends program
tor the past two years and served
as director of Harvest House as
well, commented "When we star-
ted this, we didn't understand
what we were getting into. Maybe
that’s a good thing, because the
ministry has become so large.
The Harvest House is full on the
days it is open (Tuesday, Wednes-
day, and Thursday from 9-12
noon.) We really need help there
each ot those days.”
Matzner commented there
were many good programs the
BM.AA could get involved with if
they only had the manpower.
And he expressed concern that
the spiritual needs of the families
are not being followed up on
thoroughly because ot too few
workers. These people are
aware that it is God's love that's
passing through the BMAA
volunteers to them. But there
should be more follow up. Their
physical needs (hunger, home-
lessness, eviction) are being
taken care ot, but Fm concerned
about the spiritual needs."
Rev Mike Wills commented
tfiat the information should hi'
given to the pastors so that a
one-on-one relationship can be
established between the churches
and those receiving aid.
Matzner said the board had
voted to hire an administrator
lor a beginning salary of $300
per month. All qualified people
can submit an application at the
Harvest House. "The salary is
certainly small, but at least it’s
some compensation tor such a
large amount ot paperwork. And
the salary would be subject to in-
crcase in the future,'' he said
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Moody, James. Burleson Star (Burleson, Tex.), Vol. 21, No. 34, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 5, 1987, newspaper, February 5, 1987; Burleson, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth761485/m1/4/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Burleson Public Library.