Richard Armey: Armey to Present Freedom Works Award to the Family Missions
Armey to Present Freedom Works Award to the Family Missions
Faith Based Charity provides "Family-style" Assistance for DC Area Needy
For Immediate Release
Contact: Horace Cooper
(202) 225-6007
March 4, 1998
On Thursday, March 5, House Majority Leader Dick Armey will present his Freedom Works Award to the D.C. Center of the Family Missions for their exemplary service in assisting homeless shelters and soup kitchens in the D.C. area. Prior to presenting the award, Armey will give a one-minute speech on the House floor in honor of the group (the House convenes at 10:00 a.m.).
At 10:30 a.m. Armey will formally present the award to the Family Missions in Room H219 of the Capitol. DC Center Director Cindy Thompson and several teen volunteers will be on hand to accept it for the group. Both Armey and the representatives of the Family Missions will be available for questions.
The Family Missions is a privately funded charitable religious organization made up of families who believe their Christian duty is best served by assisting and operating homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and offering other human services assistance within their communities. Founded in 1968, the Family Missions include chapters in most major cities across the U.S. - "Service to Your community and neighbors is a great reward" said Cindy Thompson, the Silver Spring based DC Center Director. "It is a very unexpected thrill to receive the encouragement of this wonderful moment of recognition."
The Mission's activities have ranged from delivering 2 tons of milk weekly for the last four years to DC area soup kitchens to serving as Red Cross deputies in Florida during the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew.
According to Cindy Thompson, "Disasters such as these have a way of equalizing all of us, showing as a nation how much we need each other and appreciate each other. A little bit of love goes a long way." "It warns my heart to see these young people doing all they can to help people in need," said Rep. Dick Armey. "A sincere calling to service of others and the personal reward such activity brings motivates them, not because they were drafted by AmeriCorps or even because they were trying to meet some local community or state mandated requirement for charity. These young people exemplify the kind of genuine service and sacrifice I had in mind I conceived of the Freedom Works Award."
Rep. Armey established the Freedom Works Award to celebrate freedom by recognizing individuals and groups who take personal and private initiative instead of recommending reliance on the government. Past recipients have included Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith (for his work in educating at-risk youth); "Touched By Angel" producers; Omega Boys Club of San Francisco (for their work in rescuing inner city children from the influences of gangs); and Cornerstone Schools of Detroit, Michigan (for their cutting-edge approach to education).
