Governor Bush Presents Points of Light Award to United Christian Giving, Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 23, 2001

CONTACT: Frank Helmerich, President, United Christian Giving Inc. (941) 418-0077 or (941) 770-6784 (cell)

UNITED CHRISTIAN GIVING NAMED FIRST LEE COUNTY-BASED RECIPIENT OF GOVERNOR’S POINTS OF LIGHT AWARD

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 20, 2001) – United Christian Giving Inc. has been named the first Lee County-based recipient of Gov. Jeb Bush’s Points of Light Award, recognizing exemplary volunteer and community service throughout the state.

United Christian Giving (UCG), based in Fort Myers, offers grants and scholarships to other faith-based groups and initiatives through $10,000 endowment funds established through the Southwest Florida Community Foundation. According to UCG’s founder and president, Frank Helmerich, the organization was founded in 1997 and has provided more than $170,000 to help fund 17 faith-based organizations throughout the region.

“United Christian Giving’s success in securing funds for other faith-based organizations is inspiring,” said Gov. Bush in announcing the Points of Light award. “Founder Frank Helmerich’s dedication should be commended.”

Helmerich, who volunteers his time for UCG, said, “This is such an honor for our organization’s efforts to be recognized by the governor. Our donors are the ones who deserve the credit for the continued success of United Christian Giving.”

Paul Flynn, executive director of the Southwest Florida Community Association, said, “United Christian Giving is making an outstanding contribution to the non-profit institutions of our community. They are establishing endowments with the Southwest Florida Community Foundation that will perpetuate their mission.”

Another community leader familiar with United Christian Giving is Connie McCormick of the Uncommon Friends Foundation. “United Christian Giving has worked selflessly with Uncommon Friends, and they very much deserve this recognition from the governor’s office,” McCormick said. “They have provided scholarships to students and have given people the opportunity to realize their dreams, giving them back their self-esteem. I’m thrilled UCG has been recognized for their efforts.”

UCG has established endowment funds for the following organizations since its inception:

• Teen Challenge 
• Lifeline Family Center
• Southwest Florida Children’s Home
• Evangelical Christian School
• Cornerstone Ministries
• Mt. Hermon Christian School
• Child Evangelism Fellowship
• Royal Palm Baptist Association
• Providence Christian School
• Precious Life Ministries
• Southwest Florida Christian Academy
• Gabriel House
• Sonshine Christian School
• Fort Myers Rescue Mission
• Christian Financial Counseling
• Scholarship endowments for Edison Community College, Florida Gulf Coast University and High Tech Center Central

Helmerich says the list of organizations will continue to grow locally – in fact, UCG is currently working on three new $10,000 endowments for the Salvation Army, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and InterVarsity – and he’ s turned an eye toward a national UCG movement. “We already have outreach efforts underway in Oklahoma, Texas and Pennsylvania,” he said. “There is no limit to the number of generous people in this great country who want to reach out and provide assistance to organizations that are offering a valuable community service.”

The Governor’s Points of Light Award is determined by a panel of judges, comprised of leaders in the areas of volunteerism and service, who evaluate incoming nominations and make recommendations to the governor. The Florida Commission on Community Service, a governor-appointed commission that promotes volunteerism and service throughout the state, administers the award.

Submitted by: Tina Matte Gravina Smith & Matte (941) 275-5758