New Bethel Baptist will welcome WBTV co-host during fundraiser

Credit: Tracy Farnham | The News Herald

Stephanie McElrath, standing, Marie Davis and Terry Fleming look over the plans for the upcoming fundraiser organized by the Food Pantry Committee at New Bethel Baptist Church. TV personality Christine Nelson of Charlotte will be the featured speaker at the event March 20.

By: Tracy Farnham | Morganton News Herald
Published: March 05, 2010

MORGANTON --

Ladies of New Bethel Baptist Church, 518 Valdese Ave., hope for a big turnout at their fundraiser on March 20.
To attract as many people as possible, they've invited a celebrity guest. She is Christine Nelson, co-host of "This Morning" on Charlotte television station WBTV.
Food Pantry Committee members Stephanie McElrath, Terry Fleming, Magalene Cash and Marie Davis came up with the idea after putting their heads together to find ways to bring in money and add an upstairs bathroom near the sanctuary.
Davis explained, "We have seniors and people in wheelchairs. It is so hard for them to go outside and come in downstairs for the restrooms. The Lord knows the need."
As part of church-wide fundraising efforts, the Food Pantry Committee has been involved in several projects.
"About a month ago we held a shoe rally and raised over $500," said Fleming, the committee's president. For that event they asked members of the congregation to donate the amount of their shoe size.
"If you wear a size 9 you pay $9," Davis explained.
Thinking about how to draw the support of people outside the church, the committee considered having a public event, perhaps bringing someone with wide recognition to Morganton.
"We wanted to hear somebody different, so we thought we would go to the internet and see if she (Nelson) would come," Fleming said. "We were surprised that she would come to a small country town like Morganton."
The recent snow storms have delayed some of the committee's fundraising plans, but there's growing excitement about this event, which is called "Sitting in for Jesus; Taking the Right Steps."
In addition to co-hosting the morning show, Nelson also co-hosts "WBTV News at Noon." She is a native of Florida who graduated with a degree in journalism from University of Georgia. In 2008, she received the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters' "Best Anchor" award for her excellence in anchoring live reporting and covering breaking. In the same year she won the National Association of Black Journalists' award for "Best General Assignment Report."
Morganton City Councilman Dr. Alfred Hamer will welcome Nelson to the community. The Voice of Faith and Valarie Connelly, formerly of Purpose, will sing.
A love offering will be received during the event.
Also, everyone who attends is asked to bring canned food items for the food pantry.
"We try to feed the hungry through our food pantry which started about a year ago," Fleming said. "We are trying to grow and build our food pantry up."
Fellowship with refreshments will follow.
"We are asking the public to come out and support us. We want everybody to come out and have a good time, that's the main thing," Fleming said.
The Food Pantry Committee's goal is to raise $1,000 toward the church's total goal of $14,000 for renovation that includes moving a furnace unit.
"It's a lot of work, but it will be worth it," Fleming said.
So far, close to $6,000 has been raised.
"Everybody is doing their part," Fleming said.
Arthur Everette is the church's pastor.

New Bethel Baptist will welcome WBTV co-host during fundraiser

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