A servant’s heart and a legacy of hope

Edina, Minnesota - - On Tuesday, February 10, 2009, an estimated 300 people packed the Washburn-McReavy Chapel to celebrate the life and legacy of HOPE worldwide - Minnesota Program Director Deb Rawls.

Deb, 49, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2009 after a long fight against cancer. She was a true servant and leader and worked for HOPE worldwide for more than 10 years. HOPE worldwide Vice President of U.S. Programs, Antonio Boyd shared, "Deb Rawls kept her eyes on God and the poor and lived a life of service throughout her hardship. She was a model of what it means to be a servant leader."

Deb established multiple ongoing community programs and local partnerships that impacted hundreds of thousands of people in the twin cities. These programs included quarterly blood drives in partnership with the American Red Cross that have helped to save 1,100 lives. She mobilized hundreds of volunteers from the Minneapolis St. Paul Church of Christ and other community organizations on an annual basis. Volunteers have prepared, packaged and served thousands of meals to disadvantaged families through the Fishes and Loaves Program, Feed My Starving Children and Waite House Thanksgiving Dinner program. Other programs Deb created and/or led included: toys for tots, senior chore days, annual field day for children and youth, and the Summer Fun, Run and Read Program.

"Deb lived a life worth living that truly impacted so many others. Her continual servant heart and positive spirit was contagious and worthy of imitation." said HOPE worldwide Vice President of Operations David Chaney.

Marc Calica, HOPE worldwide National Field Supervisor shared, “Deb Rawls is an inspiration to all of us of what it means to love the poor without reward and without excuses. Despite Deb's battle with cancer she was a vessel used by God to bring hope and healing to the poor of Minneapolis. Deb's life and legacy exemplify the meaning of hope...an expectation of something good that is due to happen. Deb was not defined by her cancer but by her love for God and neighbor.”

Deb is survived by her husband Tim and daughters Katie and Abbi. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to them as they deal with the loss of such a wonderful individual.