Church Women United of Cooke County gathered Friday to participate in the international World Community Day and to bestow the Human Rights award on community member Stephanie Polk.

Church Women United is an international organization with the purpose, “To encourage church women to come together in a visible fellowship to witness to their faith in Jesus Christ as divine Lord and Savior, and enabled by His Spirit, to go out together into every neighborhood and nation as instruments of His reconciling love.”

“Piecing Earth Together,” was the theme for this year’s World Community Day.

Linda Draper shared with the audience Polk’s accomplishments and leadership in the community and the reasons she was selected to receive this year’s Humanitarian Award.

Draper said, “The long-term disaster recovery coordinator for the Gainesville area has assisted more than 150 families in their struggles following the flood in June 2007 and an additional 26 families continued to receive help 15 months after the disaster.

Draper said that though the scope of help needed by these families was overwhelming, the homes have been slowly repaired.

“Our coordinator trained and oversaw the efforts of caseworkers assigned to work with the individual families. Assistance included finding temporary housing, providing immediate food and clothing, providing counseling and overseeing applications for FEMA disaster relief funds,” she added.

The assistance received through the help of Polk continued long after the flood waters receded and included gutting homes, replacing electric, drywall, carpeting, cabinets and doors. Then there was the replacement of furniture and appliances.

Draper went on to say that last September when Hurricane Ike brought approximately 50 evacuees to Gainesville, Polk again went into action and used her contact list to provide evacuees with immediate needs of the families. The evacuees benefited from counseling on how to apply for assistance, and local churches were contacted and helped provide meals.

“The accounting of public and donated funds for these disasters was complete,” Draper added, “and accurate because of Stacie’s diligence.”

“Stacie Polk is a caring wife and mother of two, whose personal involvement and leadership have helped so many.”

Draper credited Polk with being a great asset to the community, to the church and to Church Women United.

Stacie Polk’s mother, Sue Woodruff and mother-in-law, Mary Polk accepted the award on Stacie Polk’s behalf as she was not able to attend the event.

First Christian Church hosted the World Community Day observance which included prayers, readings from the Book of Psalms, singing and a litany for action.

The litany for action included a pledge to reduce, reuse and recycle to make a difference for the planet. For example, buying more locally grown and manufactured items to reduce shipping, organizing carpools to work, church and events and to shop for the most energy efficient major appliances when replacing them.

First Presbyterian provided the program and members Pam Cooper, Sandra Currie, Linda Seal, Ruth Lewis and Carol Hawkins narrated and presented the readings, which were interactive, with the audience participating.

During the observation the women took up an offering for World Community Day.

The music was provided by Alene Johnson and Beverly Ellis and the Backstage Cafe catered the luncheon.

First Christian Church and Catholic churches Sacred Heart, St. Mary’s and St. Peter’s provided the desserts.

The next calendar event for Church Women United is World Day of Prayer, Friday, March 6.