This page contains links to articles published in the mass media that report on the work of Portion for Orphans.
Article reproduced with permission of the publisher: Marshall News Messenger
By ROBIN Y. RICHARDSON
Sunday, August 21, 2005
“When I was only three, my mom and dad left me. I guess that they had other dreams, another place to be,” are lyrics to “Their Song,” a song about orphans written and sung by Sally Allred at Marshall’s third annual Hope Run downtown Saturday.
While these orphans’ parents may have had some other place to be, there was no other place participants would rather be on a Saturday than walking or running for orphans in fiery temperatures at the fund-raiser.
“(Co-organizer) Sally (Allred) has a big heart for orphans. I came to support her,” said Sam Hammontree. He won first place overall in the 5-K run. This was his first year participating.
All proceeds will support immediate needs organizers discover as they visit and aid orphans in Russia, India and Thailand.
Ms. Allred and co-organizer John Lundstedt came up with the idea three years ago to help orphans in Kenya. They decided to expand their efforts to other orphans around the globe through the Hope Run based on the theme James 1:27–””…visit orphans and widows in their affliction.”
“It’s a great cause. Anytime you can help the unfortunate and benefit yourself makes it worthwhile,” Larry Dillon of Longview said while gasping for breath underneath some shade. This is his second year participating. He learned about the event through a flyer in the mail and the Longview Running Club.
“It’s a great course. There was good support all the way around and plenty of water and Gatorade on the course,” said David Townsend, also a member of Longview’s Running Club.
Participants also won prizes and listened to the sounds of Ken Lattimore, a member of the Sons of Pioneers, and John Morris, a musician at Cypress Valley Bible Church.
Lattimore said he tries to learn about and support everything his friends do concerning missions.
“She just doesn’t talk about it, she does it,” Lattimore said about Ms. Allred.
He and Russ Perry are “big, big” supporters.
Perry, who walked, said it was enjoyable.
“It’s not as hard as the run,” he teased.
Ms. Allred said the Hope Run is usually scheduled toward the fall of the year, but “I’m ready to leave” to help the orphans she said. She and other organizers plan to start their mission helping orphans in October.
Greg Eubanks, a representative of Buckner Children and Family Services, is awestruck with their efforts. He was on hand Saturday with information about orphans and foster children.
“Anytime somebody leaves their comfort zone to minister to others and say ‘I care about you’ is a great thing,” Eubanks said.
Katie Allred, Sally’s mother, said it’s been fun watching her daughter grow through her love for orphans and efforts to help them through the fund-raiser.
“We call her Mother Sally like Mother Teresa,” her mother said, smiling.
Her mother went along to Kenya one year to teach volleyball and science.
“The teachers are very appreciative,” she said. “They get paid $40 bucks a month. There’s 30 kids crammed in a class. I read to them. They were thirsty for that.”
Ms. Allred said so far they’ve raised almost twice as much as last year’s total of $1,300.
“We like to thank those who participated in anyway,” Ms. Allred said.
Donations can be made anytime to Citizens National Bank in Marshall to the Sally Allred-Hope Run Account.
Article reproduced with permission of the publisher: Longview News Journal
By GLENN EVANS
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
A fund-raising run in Marshall Saturday could take participants all the way to Russia.
The third annual Hope Run not only raises money that missionary Sally Allred gives to orphanages in Russia, India and Thailand during a six-month mission beginning in October. It also has the potential to raise up more missionaries and put potential adopting parents on track to welcome an orphan into their lives.
Registration for the 5k and a one-mile fun run through downtown Marshall begins an hour before the 6 p.m. race. Participation costs $15 for adults and $10 for students.
Downtown streets will be blocked for the runners, and paramedics will be on hand to treat injuries.
Allred and run co-founder John Lundstedt are hoping to enroll 200 runners this year. They also hope the event lures more than runners.
“We are trying to reach out also to those who aren’t interested in running or walking,” Allred said. “So we will have live music, and some games and stories for children that go along with our vision to raise awareness or orphans worldwide, starting at 5:30 p..m. Those who do not want to run or walk will be able to buy a T-shirt for $15 for adults and $10 for children, 100 percent going directly to the orphans we’ll be working with.”
Allred pays all of her own traveling expenses.
This year, the organizers invited representatives from Buckner International Adoption Agency to bring information on mission trips like Allred’s.
“This is an option for students, families and people of all ages,” Allred said. “And can I add that it brings greater joy to work with children in need than any cruise or beach trip has ever begun to offer. This would be a real life changing experience for anyone, and I’d like to encourage all those who are interested to go for it, and to use their short life to help and love on kids who really deserve more than children with parents because of what they’ve been through, but who receive so much less.”
The Buckner representatives also will answer questions on adopting orphans born overseas.
Allred also said the church youth group that brings the most participants will win 10 pizzas and free soda served immediately after the run. A fund also is established at all branches of Citizen’s National Bank, accepting donations marked, “Sally Allred – Hope Run Account.”
For more information, call Lundstedt at (903) 663-2362 or Allred at (903) 927-0094.
Article reproduced with permission of the publisher: Longview News Journal
By GLENN EVANS
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
A missionary from Marshall hopes a fund-raising run through downtown will draw at least 200 runners Saturday.
The third annual Hope Run, coordinated by Sally Allred and John Lundstedt, benefits orphans in poorer countries.
This year, Allred will be touring orphanages in Russia, India and Thailand, spending funds raised in the Hope Run to meet physical and spiritual needs.
Allred is paying for her own personal travel expenses, leaving in October and returning in April 2006.
Lundstedt, who attends Cypress Valley Bible Church in Marshall with Allred, said his friend’s journey is part of an expanding mission the pair envisioned while visiting a Kenyan orphanage operated by a friend.
“We conceived of having this hope run three years ago,” Lundstedt said of the 5K run and one-mile fun walk. “The first year we had it, I would say we had about 150 participants. It was kind of amazing.”
Participation lagged last year, about 40 or 50 runners, but Lundstedt said he hopes the runners and walkers will rejoin the event this time.
“This year, we’re shooting for 200-plus, if we can,” he said. “They can register on race day. We’ve got a couple of teams of volunteers who have got rest stops along the route for drinks and fresh fruit.”
Marshall police will close downtown streets for the event, and Marshall fire department paramedics will be on hand, Lundstedt said. Registration begins an hour before the 6 p.m. race, and is $15 for adults and $10 for students.
“I think a lot of people get overwhelmed over what they can’t do, but we want people to have some way to help,” he said. “The Bible instructs us to not only go and make disciples in all nations, but to meet those other needs that are real. We need to make sure, as believers, that we don’t neglect the physical needs of people, while meeting their spiritual needs.”
Lundstedt said he and Allred are investigating ways to form a non-profit agency that can accept tax-deductible donations. He also said this year they are focusing on increasing awareness back home of the adoption needs in the countries Allred visits.
“That’s kind of the direction we’re starting to move toward,” he said. “And, there will be a little bit of promotion of that at the Hope Run.”
For more information, call Lundstedt at (903) 663-2362 or Allred at (903) 927-0094.
Article reproduced with permission of the publisher: Marshall News Messenger
By ROBIN Y. RICHARDSON
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Today, many are thankful for their families, friends and blessings seen and unseen.
Hope Run co-organizers Sally Allred and John Lundstedt along with more than 200 orphans are grateful for the people of Marshall and others who helped make this year’s second annual Hope Run a success.
“There were a lot of enthusiastic participants and tons of volunteers so it went well,” Ms. Allred said, noting about 40 people participated in the event earlier this month. Money raised helps children at the St. Joseph House of Hope Village School and Orphanage in Mombasa, Kenya. Some are as young as 5 years old.
Organizers recently tallied up the funds raised, which was approximately $1,300 and more is pouring in from people who wish to donate to help the children.
“It’s a lot for here, but for Kenya it’s a ton,” Ms. Allred said. She said even $100 of her personal funds provided three mattresses and three new beds for the orphanage.
Funds raised from the Hope Run will be sent to the orphanage monthly to help support their needs.
“We’re praying about it and trying to decide how they would need it,” Ms. Allred said. Last year the money paid for medical bills, provided crutches for kids with broken bones due to malnutrition, paid teachers’ salaries and other things.
Ms. Allred organized the Hope Run after visiting Kenya while in college.
She was encouraged by a college friend to visit the orphanage ran by his sister, Carol Bockle, after expressing her desire to help others in Africa.
It’s been a blessing to Ms. Allred ever since.
She is amazed “God’s given me the opportunity to do this.”
The Hope Run co-organizer is just grateful for the outpouring of giving from the community and so are the orphans.
“The neat part is not as many participated, but many donated,” she said. “Even still, a lady called and said she would donate monthly.”
The orphanage was started by Bockle, a 30 something-year-old mother from Nairobi, in 1998 to provide the children with an education, trade skills, medical attention and spiritual needs.
There are currently 270 students enrolled in the school, 15 full-time staff and about 12 children residing in the new dorm funded by Cypress Valley Bible Church.
Ms. Allred gave hand crafted items from Kenya as prizes during the event to show her appreciation.
She said she and Lundstedt appreciate all volunteers, participants and sponsors including East Texas Sports Center, Texas Bank and Trust, the Print Shop, Homero’s and Super-One foods for their contributions to make the event a success.
And whether they donated, T-shirts, ice, water or refreshments, “Everyone gave a little and it all came together perfectly,” she said.
Contact staff writer Robin Y. Richardson via e-mail at: ryrichardson@coxnews.com; or by phone at (903) 927-5964.