Agape House of Vandalia board members met on March 18 for the first time in the New Year; poor weather conditions had caused cancellation of earlier meetings.  

Board members in attendance were Rich Duffner, Karen Holbrook, Sterling Holbrook, Floy Oliver, Phil Pennington and Kay Robnett.

House manager, Karen Craig reported that, despite cold and snowy weather this winter, guest numbers had remained good; board members remain inspired by the faithfulness of families.  New flooring has been installed in the handicap accessible bathroom, one guest room and the manager’s apartment.

Robnett reported she had been in contact with guest houses similar to the Agape House in other states for the purpose of information sharing. She also reported that the facility was approved to receive United Way of Audrain County funding for the year.

A budget for the coming year was presented by Robnett and accepted by the board. The annual audit had been completed recently.

Annual election of officers was conducted. The following slate of officers was elected:  president: Rich Duffner; vice president: Floy Oliver; secretary: Mary Thomas; and treasurer: Kay Robnett. 

Monetary gifts received from November through February include the following: United Way of Audrain County; Antioch Church, Cyrene Baptist Church, Edgewood Baptist Church, Providence Presbyterian Church and Good Shepherd Lutheran Ladies Guild, all of Bowling Green; Bethlehem Baptist Church of Centralia; Trinity Presbyterian Church of Columbia; Curryville Baptist Church and New Harmony Christian Women’s Fellowship of Curryville; Farber Baptist Church and Farber Presbyterian Church; Adiel Baptist Church of Frankford; Green Ridge Presbyterian Church; Immanuel Lutheran Ladies Aid – West Ely of Hannibal; Knights of Columbus #2244 of Higginsville; Arthur Wortman of Kansas City; Laddonia Christian Church, Littleby Baptist Church and Presbyterian Church, all of Laddonia; St. Peter’s Lutheran Ladies Aid of LaGrange; Knights of Columbus #1270 of Martinsburg; Bishop Leo J. Steck Assembly Knights of Columbus and Altrusa International of Mexico; Santa Fe Christian Church; Strafford United Methodist Women; Hopewell Baptist Church and John Yost of Thompson; Southside Baptist Church, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, and First Christian Church, all of Vandalia; and Hopewell Baptist Church and Grace Lutheran Ladies Society of Wellsville.