My Favorite Charities
I’m delighted to share my favorite charities with you. God has blessed me, and I have been privileged to give back to several organizations that are dear to my heart.
Dino and Cheryl Kartsonakis Dino at the piano
Topping the list are my friends, Dino and Cheryl Karsonakis, whose music ministry and personal testimonies have blessed an estimated 80 million people around the world.
After six decades of performances that include President Regan’s Inaugural Ball, President Carter’s Cambodian Relief Dinner, Tiananmen Square in China, the Tower of David in Jerusalem, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, Moscow in Russia and so many more, Dino—an incomparable, multi-award-winning genius of the keyboard–continues to spread God’s word through his music and his witness.
In a video on 1-26-21, Dino said, “These fingers have the mind of God.” On 8-7-18 he called his amazing piano arrangement of the timeless hymn, I Love to Tell the Story, “a love song.” You can hear Cheryl’s powerful testimony every time she sings A Child of the King, with Dino’s accompaniment. Their music is heaven-sent. They are anointed.
On a personal note, I have loved and played Dino’s arrangements for many years, both at home and at various churches. Though I’m an amateur pianist with small hands, I always sound good playing Dino! It has been my pleasure to connect with them personally. They are lovely, down-to-earth people with beautiful hearts and a Christian mission.
You can support the Dino and Cheryl Kartsonakis International Ministries by going to their Facebook page as well as Dino’s website. You’ll also find AMAZING piano arrangements at the website and his award-winning CD’s that will transport you. I play Dino’s CDs while I write. What inspiration!
Here are the links to their FB page and website:
https://www.facebook.com/dandcinternationalministries
Another favorite charity is Faith in Practice, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing medication plus medical supplies and care (including transportation to the temporary hospital site and surgery) to the indigenous people of Guatemala. ALL donations go for medical care. Volunteers pay their own way.
Terry Estes with Faith in Practice in Guatemala
My niece lovely Terry Estes has been doing this medical mission work for thirty years. It’s not as simple as packing a bag and getting on a plane. She and her team not only pack everything needed and get it ready to ship, but also raise money to pay for the supplies and medication.
She is one of the most loving and compassionate people I know, so willing to help bring health care to those in desperate need. You can help support these medical missions by donating to her team at this site (She will be in Guatemala when you read this.):
Terry Estes Medical Team, Faith in Practice
https://donate.faithinpractice.org/fundraiser/5033178
My final favorite charity is Shepherd Center of Greater Tupelo. They provide drivers and help with small home repairs for senior citizens who don’t qualify for other programs for various reasons: they don’t live within the city limits, or they aren’t on government assistance programs that provide the help they need, or any number of other ways they simply fall through the cracks.
I am one of those people who fell through the cracks. My children and grandchildren live in states far away from me – 350 miles and 1,500 miles. My only living close relative is an older sister with health issues.
Though I’m healthy as a horse (as Mama used to say), I occasionally lose all balance because of a dreadful fall last year at poolside that knocked the crystals in my right ear out of place. (Thankfully, they can get “rolled” back into place.) When the crystals “unseat,” I’m totally helpless until a professional gets them properly seated again. I certainly can’t drive!
A few weeks ago, I lost all balance and could find no one to drive for me. Enter the Shepherd Center. They have volunteers who drive, given a three-day notice. They were a Godsend to me!
They are a nonprofit organization, dependent entirely on donations. I hope you’ll be generous. Here is their website:
Shepherd Center of Tupelo
Thank you for reading to the end of this post. I have the best fans who are gracious and generous-hearted. If you’re looking for ways to help others, I hope you’ll consider these three charities.
God is good!
By Peggy Webb