Category Archives: Blog

We are very proud to be part of the wonderful work of the Graduation Initiative and the many lives it has touched and the bright future it gives to those who stay in school and graduate. High school dropouts are not just numbers nor is increasing the graduation rate just a goal to be met on paper. We all realize  that graduation changes lives and the Graduation Initiative is committed, with the community’s ongoing support, to helping more and more … Continue reading →

Dr. Joe B. Roberson passed away a week ago Friday. Few in our community have given so much to so many for so long. And few have left a legacy of service and caring that have touched generations as Dr. Roberson. He was 78 years old. Joe B. (the “B” stands for his middle name, Baxter), as everyone affectionately called him was a  vital and integral part of the work of Eblen Charities since our early days. From his weekly … Continue reading →

It has been nearly 15 years since the world marked the passing of the “Saint of the Gutters” Mother Teresa of Calcutta. I shared a story about Mother  this past week with a friend of mine and they asked if I would reprint it.  I hope those of you who have read it in the past will enjoy it again and those of you who are new to Eblen Online will enjoy it for the first time. One of the … Continue reading →

During the holiday season we are all the more grateful to all who have joined us this year and especially grateful to all those who have allowed us to be part of their lives in assisting them in their times of need. I thought you would enjoy some of the recent thank you letters we have received. “Just a note to say a very special “thank you” to all you wonderful people who graciously assisted me with the cost of … Continue reading →

We all know the phrase ” A picture is worth a thousand words.”  That being true, I have thousands of words not just in my head but also in my heart because I have had the privilege to see so much happen in the past months at Eblen, all by the hands of wonderful volunteers. Let me open the album to show you what I mean. Beginning early November, a group of Eblen volunteers along with two participating ROTC groups and two trucks … Continue reading →

I don’t really remember when I first met Lynn. The best I can recall is walking into the Waddell Client Service Center at Westgate one day and there she was behind the desk in the lobby. After introducing myself to her and speaking to her for a few minutes I remember walking away thinking it seemed like she had always been there. There was no doubt that she was where she belonged and no doubt that we had someone special … Continue reading →

A few years ago, the night before the inaugural Brad Johnson Celebrity Golf Classic, Brad told a packed  sponsor’s reception a story that I was reminded of again these past weeks. If there is one hallmark of the Eblen Charities, it is the strength of our partnerships  underscoring our knowledge that anything worth doing can’t necessarily be done alone. I never thought about it in the terms that Brad brought to all of our minds that night, but in these … Continue reading →

Did you know: The first US Thanksgiving was held between 21 September and 11 November 1621 in Massachusetts by 50 Plymouth Pilgrims and their 90 Wampanoag neighbors. After that, Thanksgiving was held fairly randomly. Thanksgiving days were proclaimed annually by the US Congress from 1777 to 1783 which, except for 1782, were all celebrated in December. George Washington declared Thanksgiving in 1789 and 1795, and John Adams in 1798 and 1799. James Madison declared Thanksgiving twice in 1815. None of … Continue reading →

Last Friday we celebrated  Veterans Day. Since 1919, Americans recognized and remembered those men and women who valiantly served our country, so generation after generation could live in freedom many around the world can only dream about. No amount of thanks and praise could ever come close to paying back the selflessness, bravery,  and sacrifice of those who proudly donned the uniform of the United States and their families. They are heroes all. A number of years ago, I had … Continue reading →

Recently a friend of mine asked me “When are nonprofits going to start working together instead of trying to undermine each other and trying to divert money from other organizations to theirs? Aren’t we all supposed to be working towards the same goals…to help people?” In these most troubled times every organization in our community is overworked, understaffed, underfunded, and overwhelmed by the increase of  those who need assistance: families who have lost their jobs, are battling illnesses and disabilities, … Continue reading →