Giving
The Proclaimers Gospel Quartet Fund for Christian Youth was established by the quartet and dedicated to the memory of Harold R. Board, former lead singer. According to quartet member Jim Ross, "Harold was born to an old time gospel preacher and his wife in Palestine in Wirt County. He was not called to preach the gospel, but instead to sing it, and he did it so well for over thirty years. He was manager and originator of the Gospelaires, along with his wife, Vonda, who played the piano. Harold and Vonda helped found the Proclaimers. Harold worked at DuPont for 37 years, but still made time to visit hospitals, shut-ins, and go to 'sings.' He loved to go to the National Quartet Convention in Nashville, TN, and Louisville, KY. He was faithful to his commitments, a good husband, father and grandfather, and we're all very pleased to honor him in this way." He was an active member of Calvary Memorial Church.
The Proclaimers had sung together for a number of years, and the group had sought to add another ministry to its singing ministry. Jim Ross said, "We sang at a Baptist church one night, and like many times, there were a couple rows full of young people who came on their own to the event, without prompting from their parents. They were really enjoying an a cappella number that we sang to them entitled, 'Daniel Prayed.' Their presence moved Dave to ask the group, "Why don't we consider sending young people to summer camps who can't afford to attend?" And so, we opened a fund in Harold's memory that will help touch young people's lives for many years to come."
Jim added that the group "Feels blessed to be 'used for God as common garments' to tell the world of His great love. We hope that many young people will be touched by the Lord as the result of receiving this help and that the fund will grow so that God's dreams will be answered through it. It is our prayer that a 'common garment' such as Harold will be forever remembered for what he has done, and the many hours, prayers and visits that he made during his life may be passed down to generations to come. We hope that some young people are inspired to sing and begin their own Southern Gospel quartet someday."