As Friends in Action of the Eastern Panhandle, a Shepherdstown born charity, reaches its fifth year in operation, they are extending a thank you to all of the contributors who are making their fight against poverty in the Eastern Panhandle possible.

On Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, Minghini’s General Contractors received an “Adopt a Family” award in recognition of its contributions, which funded an entire twelve month mentoring period for a local low-income family.

Executive Director of Friends in Action, Teresa Warnick, met with Berniece D. Collis, Vice President of Minghini’s General Contractors, to present the award and to express her thanks on behalf of the Staff, Board, and all Friends in Action supporters for their generosity throughout 2008. Mrs. Collis and Mrs. Warnick were happy to discuss the positive, long-term outcome that was seen following their donation to the community.

Minghini’s General Contractors has been noted for their devoted community service since Craig and Berniece Collis re-energized the company twenty years ago. They have since become active supporters of Friends in Action, a newly emerging non-profit. Friends in Action of the Eastern Panhandle has been fighting poverty in Jefferson and Berkeley County using the power of friendship to bring about positive and permanent change in the lives of low-income families. Since its incorporation, FIAEP has managed to create a local network of volunteers from all faiths and ethnic backgrounds whose common interest is to provide caring outreach to families in need. It has also collected a comprehensive database of services and organizations that allows them to serve as a referral source for families in crisis.

Dashiell Feiler, AmeriCorps VISTA

Friends in Action of the Eastern Panhandle

Shepherdstown