By Katie Winkler
Review Staff Writer
After helping the organization get started in Lake Orion in March 2007, Sandy Weaver retired last week from her position as the first and only executive director that Lake Orion’s Love In The Name of Christ (Love INC) has had.?
Love INC is a national organization that was established in 1959 in Holland, Michigan.
Since then the program has grown to more than 150 groups offering help through God, according to Weaver. The North Oakland County Love INC focuses on being a clearinghouse for people in the community that need help. The work by the volunteers includes coordinating the clothing house inside St. Mary’s church, collecting household goods and personal needs at Christ the King in Oxford and offering four free meals each week at different churches in the area, to name a few.
Love INC receives about 400-500 calls a month through the clearinghouse for those in need of assistance. ??
As executive director, Weaver’s job was to ‘oversee the clearinghouse, recruit volunteers from churches, go to churches and get them interested in Love INC and help them develop ministries that will help people.?
A replacement for Weaver is being sought but officials say it won’t be easy replacing Weaver, who helped develop Love INC into the organization it is today during the past nine years.?
‘I will still be involved, but more from the church level, probably,? Weaver said. ‘I am a member here at United Methodist Church so I will be very involved as far as community work.?
After her last day on July 25, Weaver traveled to the Upper Peninsula, where she took her first retirement vacation at Mackinaw Island.
She plans to continue her travels to the west coast soon and spend more time with her family.?
For her ‘bittersweet? farewell, Weaver reflects on her time at Love INC and how much she will miss the rewarding position. ?
‘I have never had a job that I loved more than the one I am leaving,? Weaver said.