Sligo SDA Church Delivers Its Caring Heart Award 2015

December 11, 2015 - PRESSADVANTAGE -

The Sligo SDA Church in Takoma Park, MD, has made a yearly commitment to recognize the unsung heroes, who are difference makers, with its Caring Heart Award. This Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church realizes that these people who make significant contributions to the community in various ways are oftentimes unappreciated by the wider community. The Sligo SDA Church is therefore proud to deliver this year's Caring Heart Award.

For outstanding voluntary service to the City of Takoma Park, the Sligo SDA Church gave its 2015 Caring Heart Award to Dr. Wolfgang J. Mergner and Dr. Gertrud Mergner. Drs. Wolfgang and Gertrud Mergner are now retired from their medical careers, but they have given generously to what was then called The Takoma Park Mediation Program, which is now affiliated with the larger Montgomery County Mediation Program.

"The Mediation Program provides personnel and funds to assist those who might have legal issues that need resolution but are unable to afford an attorney or the cost of legal advice," says Don McFarlane, administrative pastor from the Sligo SDA Church. "If after attempts are made to assist by the Mediation Panel and it is found that there is merit for professional assistance, help is found by asking attorneys to assist on a "pro bono" basis and the local mediator is then no longer involved. The Mergners have been active in raising funds and finding personnel for this program."

Recently Wolfgang and Gertrud were convinced that Takoma Park's financially-strapped senior citizens needed help in a variety of ways - home visitation, taking seniors shopping, taking seniors to church, doing home repairs, etc. They learned that a national program called "Villages" could be replicated in Takoma Park. They decided to take this on and invited others to join them in this undertaking. A board of directors was formed to implement and operate Takoma Park "Villages". Today Takoma Park Villages is a strong and growing support organization for seniors.

Elder Erwin Mack, head elder of the Sligo SDA Church, made the presentation during the recent Festival of Praise service. This service was especially community-minded as the congregation brought food to be organized and distributed to needy families primarily in the city of Takoma Park by church members. "I delivered this award with great appreciation and high honor for both recipients for their many years of dedicated service," said Elder Mack.

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For more information about Sligo SDA Church, contact the company here:

Sligo SDA Church
Don McFarlane
301 270 6777
dmcfarlane@sligochurch.org
7700 Carroll Avenue
Takoma Park, MD 20912