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County chaplain starts ministry |
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Monday, 23 June 2008 |
Already well-versed in the world of helping people, starting a ministry only seemed natural for one Benton woman.
The Vine and the Branches was established by Tamra Gore to guide people through difficult times. A Saline County chaplain, she said starting the program is an extension of her chaplaincy calling.
As many law officers, domestic violence and violent crime victims, natural disaster victims and relief workers know, Gore is always willing to offer assistance.
The name of the ministry comes from the scripture verse, John 15:5, 8, which reads: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in Him, bears much fruit ... by this my Father is glorified that you bear much fruit.”
“Life is an unfinished story for all of us,” Gore said. “Often the stories become twisted, leaving people hurt and helpless. Many lack the physical resources to recover from these traumatic life events. We all need someone to lean on, someone to help us, someone to listen to us.”
Gore said the program’s seeks to “be the light in the darkness where people are hurting and provide for their immediate needs.”
The Vine and The Branches Inc. is a nonprofit charitable corporation organized under state laws, Gore said, adding she has applied for exemption from income tax under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code.
Services free to those in need include providing hospital support, transportation and clothing replacement in rape and sexual assault cases; providing emergency transport, shelter and essential needs for domestic violence situations; walking with people through death and dying, suicide and suicide prevention; providing food provision for immediate needs; arranging for shelter, support and physical needs in homeless situations; offering chaplaincy for support and care to emergency personnel; caring for patients and staff of area hospitals; and helping people through chaplaincy, recovery and feeding efforts during disasters and their aftermath.
More specifically, Gore said she has tubs of new clothes set up in the Saline Memorial Hospital emergency room for all sizes of women so that no “rape or domestic violence victim has to go home in scrubs or wrapped in a blanket.”
She added that in many cases, clothes are taken from victims as evidence.
For homeless people and others in need, Gore has an available 150-200 toiletry bags.
She’s also available to people who just need to talk to someone or need someone to accompany to court.
Gore, 50, has been a chaplain or given her time and talents for more than 30 years. “I’ve volunteered a lot for disaster relief,” she said. She’s provided that service as far away as Southeast Asia when the tsunami devastated the area in 2004.
Recently, she assisted in Saline County and other parts of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas struck by tornadoes and flooding.
Gore provides this relief through several volunteer organizations, including the Southern Baptist Convention, Saline County and Arkansas Crisis Team and the International Conference of Police Chaplains. For two years, she is serving as Arkansas’ representative of the international chaplain program.
A goal of Gore’s is to continue expanding her ministry beyond Saline County’s borders.
Donations are always welcome, but Gore requests that people call her before sending clothes, food and other items to know what Gore needs at that time. “There are many financial and physical needs met each day with victims,” she said. “The public is welcome to contribute to those needs.
To make her ministry fully function, Gore has given up her floral and catering business.
“I’m called to do this,” she said. “I’m a violent crime survivor and I feel called to help other people get through the hard times.”
For more information, Gore may be contacted at 351-7185 and donations may be sent to The Vine and the Branches Inc., P.O. Box 324, Benton, AR 72018-0324. |
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