March 26, 2014, was an eventful day at the Kentucky State Capitol, as Senator Alice Forgy Kerr acknowledged the Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) for 50 years of service in Appalachia. Senator Kerr read CAP’s resolution and recognized the organization for our achievement of providing 50 years of support to Appalachian families.
As read in the resolution, CAP was founded in 1964, when the poverty rate in Appalachia was over 60 percent, and we continue today as the 16th largest human service charity. CAP was resolved as an interdenominational faith-based organization that began with the dream of Reverend Ralph W. Beiting, who envisioned an Appalachia not marred by persistent poverty, but enlivened by the Spirit and by the hope of a brighter future.
One of our largest programs, Operation Sharing, was noted as receiving approximately $100 million worth of Gifts-in-Kind annually from corporations and other organizations.
Those donations are then distributed to nonprofit organizations throughout Appalachia. As the AmeriCops VISTA program coordinator in eastern Kentucky, CAP was acknowledged for assisting regional nonprofit organizations with administrative, fundraising, and administrative efficiency skills. CAP was also acknowledged for having more than 600,000 donors, 1,500 annual volunteers, 60 to 75 long-term volunteers, and a group of dedicated employees.
The conclusion of the resolution reads: “Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, The Christian Appalachian Project is recognized for their dedication to changing lives, teaching skills, and improving the communities of central Appalachia.”
