Press Release: Shoe Donation Event

LOCAL CHURCH PRACTICES A SIMPLE ACT OF GENEROSITY

Peoria, AZ – This past weekend, November 22-23, Christ's Church of the Valley (CCV) wrapped up a 4-week series with a message entitled “Give Generously.” At the end of each service, senior pastor Dr. Don Wilson asked over 12,000 church goers to “leave your shoes behind” to show a simple act of generosity. The plan is to deliver the thousands of shoes in time for Christmas to those in need locally and abroad.

Throughout the 4-week series entitled “Simple Christmas”, pastor Wilson talked about the need to create lasting memories amongst families instead of going into debt to purchase Christmas gifts. He also challenged church goers to ask themselves, “What can we give to others to show a simple act of generosity?” In the final moments of the weekend services, Wilson asked those who felt lead to bring their shoes up to the front of the stage before exiting the church.

Response from the crowd was tremendous. Over 3,000 pairs were collected on Saturday night alone, with an estimate of 8,000 for the entire weekend after services on Sunday morning concluded. People streamed out of the service in socks and many in bare feet. The most common question from children as they were picked up by parents was, “Daddy, where are your shoes?” These questions generated opportunities for parents to model for their children spontaneous and practical giving.

Wendy Rose, who has been attending CCV for almost two years, said the service impacted her and her 5-year-old daughter Adalyne in an incredible way. “The opportunity to share this experience with my young daughter was life changing. At first Addy didn’t want me to give my shoes away, but then I explained that shoes can be replaced easily and it’s important to share what we have with others who are in need.”

Donated shoes will be donated primarily to local homeless shelters in the Phoenix area. Thousands of shoes are also being shipped to outreach groups in Mexico and Africa. This past weekend proved that a simple act of generosity can go a long way!

CCV is located at 7007 W Happy Valley Rd in Peoria, AZ. Contact us if you have any questions at 623.376.2444 or www.ccvonline.com. Regular weekend worship times are 4:30 and 6:15 pm every Saturday and 9:30 and 11:15 am every Sunday.

Short Story: Happy Feet

Christ's Church of the Valley (CCV) likes to run short, 250-word stories in each weekend's bulletin to tie in with the sermon or events happening within the church. Here is the short story I wrote recapping a sermon titled "Give Generously" where the pastor concluded the message with a request of church goers to take the shoes off their feet and donate them to others in need. The approximate bulletin count is 6,000 every weekend.

Happy Feet
The homeless, the underprivileged, and the orphans in places like downtown Phoenix, Rocky Point, Mexico, and Bulembu, Africa will have happy feet thanks to your generous donation. A couple weeks back, pastor Don Wilson challenged all church attendees to give up the shoes that you walked into church wearing and place them on the front stage to show a tangible act of generosity. Many of you, in fact almost 4,000 of you, met that challenge and happily offered your footwear.

The bare feet walking around campus was a site to be seen. The “experience” that you created for yourself and your family is worth far more than any gift that can be found under the Christmas tree. And your decision to put others first is a true testimony of your faith.

Church member Wendy Rose said the service impacted her and her 5-year-old daughter Adalyne in an incredible way. “The opportunity to share this experience with my young daughter was life changing. At first Addy didn’t want me to give my shoes away, but then I explained that shoes can be replaced easily and it’s important to share what we have with others who are in need.”

This is just one story of many that have been pouring in. Many of you have been forever changed due to this simple demonstration. Keep it up and remember to ask yourself on a daily basis: What can I give to others to show a simple act of generosity?

Short Story: Pursuit for Purity

Christ's Church of the Valley (CCV) likes to run short, 250-word stories in each weekend's bulletin to tie in with the sermon or events happening within the church. Here is a short story I wrote recapping a Jr. High girl's purity event to be included in the bulletin reaching approximately 6,000 adults.

Pursuit for Purity
Just a few weeks ago, 139 high-school girls participated in a life-size version of the classic board game CandyLand. But this wasn’t just a simple, childhood game for teens girls to play, it was a challenging, highly-structured “purity night” that made an indelible mark on the hearts of many.

CandyLand offered eight different stations for the girls to visit throughout the night. Some of the game stations included Mr. Mint –a discussion group exploring the hidden stakes of dating a seemingly perfect, non-Christian guy. Another stop was Lord Licorice—a discussion group delving into the worldly pressures teens face in regards to purity. And then there was Princess Lolly—a discussion group that sought out to identify modest, appropriate clothing choices.

The entire night focused on God’s game plan for purity. Teens were challenged to walk through life with integrity, respect and honor especially in the culture of chaos that surrounds us. The message was loud and clear. Becca Short, who is a high-school Junior, stated, “It was really hard to hear, but I needed to hear it!” Becca was just one of 82 students who made a commitment to remain pure until marriage.

Even though today’s culture no longer places importance on wholesomeness, the pursuit for purity is alive and well. CandyLand confirmed that many are up for the challenge of chasing after God’s design and that settling for second best will just not do.

Catalog: Aspen Chiropractic

This was one of my first experiences writing a complete catalog from scratch. The purpose of this 28-page catalog was to inform new and existing clients of the beneficial uses of natural wellness and to disspell the myths that surround chiropractic care.

Click here to view an interactive flipbook of the Aspen Chiropractic catalog.

Catalog: Arthur Andrew Medical

Arthur Andrew Medical created a 36-page catalog marketing five distinct supplements available to the general public. This catalog was necessary for marketing efforts at trade shows and educating consumers of the benefits of supplemental enzymes. This catalog has been reprinted several times with over 50,000 copies printed in one year alone. I proofed the entire catalog and created small amounts of new text where needed.

Click here to view an interactive flipbook of the Arthur Andrew catalog.

Magazine: Referral Magazine

Referral Magazine, mailed out to over 40,000 homes in the Glendale, Arizona area, is a publication consisting of advertisements only. I was hired on to proof customer-supplied ads and create new ad copy for new clients who did not already have an ad created.

Click here to view the first issue of Referral Magazine mailed out late summer '08.

Click here to view the second issue of Referral Magazine mailed out early fall '08.

Click here to view the third issue of Referral Magazine mailed out winter '08.

Catalog: Neprofin EQ

Arthur Andrew Medical, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, created a catalog focusing on their latest enzyme supplement, Neprofin EQ, formulated specifically for pets suffering from joint pain, injuries and conditions such as arthritis. I proofed this catalog for Arthur Andrew before they printed over 10,000 copies.

Click here for an interactive flipbook of the Neprofin EQ catalog.

Short Story: Simple Christmas

Christ's Church of the Valley (CCV) likes to run short, 250-word stories in each weekend's bulletin to tie in with the sermon or events happening within the church. So this weekend, November 15-16, the topic was: Spending Less. Here is the short story I wrote to be included in the bulletin reaching approximately 6,000 adults.

Simplifying Christmas

Former Indianapolis Colts quarterback, Travis Brown, and his wife Cory have made a major decision regarding their Christmas spending. Money isn’t the issue, yet this couple has chosen to make Christmas more meaningful by eliminating the materialism that this time of year often cultivates. Teaching their five young children a biblical message is how they explain the real reason behind giving.

Cory explained, “Christmas can get out of hand. So we try to bring back the focus of what Christmas is all about by reducing the gift giving and focusing more on Christ and his birth.” The Browns have set a tradition where each person in the family only receives three gifts to open on Christmas morning. This tradition sets a boundary so that budgets are kept, the stress associated with shopping is set to a minimum, and a biblical approach to giving is established.

When Jesus was born, the wise men presented him with three gifts—gold, frankincense and myrrh. The biblical lesson to be taught is that we don’t need more than what our Savior was given. We can be content with less material because our focus is on what’s eternal. It seems like in today’s culture Christmas is no longer a sacred holiday. It’s mostly a secular holiday with a little Jesus thrown in to it. Deciding to spend less money during the holiday season is a personal choice. But one thing we can all do is to simplify our lives and make Christ the focus.

Catalog: Christ's Church of the Valley

The purpose of the brologue was to provide visitors at CCV with information about the many programs offerred and the different worship services available each weekend. This 28-page brologue was designed, written and created especially with the target market in mind -- an unchurched, 25-45 year old male.

Click here to view an interactive flipbook of the CCV catalog.

Press Release: Grand Opening of New Children's Building

This press release was written to promote the grand opening of a brand new children's building that will host over 3,000 children every weekend at CCV.

CHILDREN AT CHRIST’S CHURCH OF THE VALLEY
GEAR UP TO TAKE RESIDENCE IN A NEW $12 MILLION BUILDING

Peoria, AZ -- Christ's Church of the Valley (CCV) is extremely excited for the grand opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art children’s building that will take place on the weekend of November 15-16, 2008. This new building will accommodate preschoolers through students in 6th grade.

The construction of the children’s building was part of a two-year commitment where church members resolved to giving over $25 million to the Ripple Effect, a capital campaign fundraiser for a new youth and children’s building. Now that the project is complete and ready to open to the public, the excitement that has been building over the past two years is increasing noticeable.

Ashley Sidaway, a seven-year-old who regularly attends the children’s programs at CCV exclaimed, “I’m so excited for the building to open. I can’t wait!” Her mother, Kristin Sidaway, affirmed that “This is going to be a great place for our children to learn about God and feel comfortable bringing their friends to church.”

The new building is 55,000 square feet, larger than the size of a football field, and can hold up to 3,000 people. The main floor has 33 individual classrooms and a shared large meeting room with 3 separate large meetings rooms on the second floor.

Some creative, eco-friendly touches for the new building include utilizing motion sensor switches for the building’s lighting needs in order to conserve energy, as well as using energy-efficient air conditioning systems that qualify for APS rebates.

Perhaps one of the best features about the building includes covered outdoor seating adjacent to the play areas. It’s the perfect way for parents to sit and relax while watching their young children play and thrive as they were intended to.

And while the parents are in the main worship center for the weekend services, the children are safely monitored and cared for in their age-appropriate classrooms. CCV utilizes electronic check-in system and security video cameras in all classrooms and meeting rooms to provide the optimum safety possible.

Melody Logan, a children’s director for CCV, said that there will be age-specific programming each weekend utilizing the best, newest technology providing a learning experience that will impact children in such a way that they talk about it all week long.

CCV is located at 7007 W Happy Valley Rd in Peoria, AZ. Contact us if you have any questions at 623.376.2444 or www.ccvonline.com. Regular weekend worship times are 4:30 and 6:15 pm every Saturday and 9:30 and 11:15 am every Sunday.