HERITAGE DAY DATES BACK 95 YEARS TO THE THIS DAY--- WHEN THE FIRST ENGLISH CHURCH CONGREGATION CAME TOGETHER IN CELEBRATION OF THEIR BELOVED CHURCH.

AS YEARS PASSED---HERITAGE DAY TURNED INTO A MINISTRY OF THE COMMUNITY.

"So, that we could give back to the community in ways outside of the church walls so to speak and help other people that weren't fortunate as we are," says Jennifer Hartman.

THE CHURCH USES HERITAGE DAY TO RAISE MONEY FOR THREE LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS PERVIOUSLY NOMINATED BY CHUCH MEMBERS AND THEN SELECTED BY THE CHURCH BOARD.

"Every year we ask our congregation to put in names for non-profit organizations in the Victoria County, and then what we do is we try to uh actually take everybody's vote and we put it in front of our board and we vote on it," says Dale Hildebrandt.

THIS YEAR'S THREE CHOSEN RECIPIENTS-- ARE THE WRITING THERAPY CENTER, THE GOLDEN CASA, AND MID-COAST FAMILY SERVICES.

BUT, THE CHURCH'S GIVING DOESN'T THERE.

"We do have a fourth that it's put into, which is our community assistance fund and that's to help any community members that may need it, such as people that may have had a house fire or members that become ill and may need money to pay for medical assistance," says Hildebrandt.

AND ALL THIS MONEY IS RAISED IN ONE DAY.

THE CHURCH SERVES UP A DELICIOUS BBQ BRISKET LUNCH ALONG WITH A CAKE WALK---A COOL COUNTRY STORE---A SILENT AUCTION AND A LIVE AUCTION---WHICH FEATURES A MOTORCYCLE DONATED BY DALE'S FUNCENTER, GIFTBASKETS AND OTHER INTERESTING ITEMS---ALL DONATED BY CHURCH MEMBERS OR LOCAL BUISNESSES.

SO, WHAT IS HERITAGE DAY EXACTLY? IT'S THE FIRST DAY OF A SEASON FULL OF GIVING.