The Immokalee Ministerial Alliance (I.M.A.) met recently and honored the long-time ministry of Rev. Frank Williams as the pastor of St. Johns Missionary Baptist Church. He was awarded with a gift certificate for a free dinner for two generously donated by Mi Ranchito restaurant. He has served not only his parishioners faithfully, but our community as well. Recently his church on Eustis Avenue has hosted the rehearsals of two developing local gospel choirs, under the direction of Rev. Tarrence Mallory of First Missionary Baptist Church each Saturday, a men’s chorus which meets Saturday afternoons, and an open choral group Saturday evenings at 6 p.m. Any local Christians are invited to participate. In addition to its regular meetings, the I.M.A. recently awarded eight scholarships at Immokalee High School to graduating students who are active members of local church with plans to attend local and state-wide colleges and universities. They also hosted an informative afternoon meeting with Governor Rick Scott which included a number of pastors, as well as civic and business leaders from our community. The recent meeting was well-attended with special guests representing the Blue Zones Project, Mrs. Chante Pemberton and Naples Pastor Irvin Stallworth, who serves as pastor of Unity Faith Missionary Baptist Church and is a board member of the Blue Zone Project. A number of churches are planning to become Blue Zone partners. Many organizations in Immokalee and Collier County are joining with Blue Zone Project to encourage our people to “LIVE LONG AND BETTER” by making wise choices for their daily lives. Among the projects discussed were having our Alliance work with government and community leaders to investigate starting up a program to provide a residential treatment center to assist those in our community who are fighting addictions, in an effort to supplement the great work being done by St. Matthew’s Friendship House. It was also announced that the Benison Distribution Center, established to help local families overcome the ongoing challenges of recovery from Hurricane Irma, has now established a new website, Benison.org to assist local families in getting help they need.