Preserving Our Heritage

The Starting Point Annual Fundraising Banquet, themed “Preserving Our Heritage,” showcased our commitment to serving families in Knox County. It was an evening full of sharing ministry updates and honoring those who have impacted Starting Point and our community this past year.

Barb Rockwell, the Lifetime Service Award recipient, has shined her light for over 27 years as a Client Advocate Volunteer at Starting Point. She has served clients to the third generation and continues to bless us with her fun-loving personality each week. 

In honor of Barb, Rachel Argo, a junior at MVNU, was awarded a $1275 scholarship through a legacy gift from the Starting Point Board of Directors. 

Over the past year, God orchestrated a special friendship between Mike Haughton, a Male Client Advocate Volunteer at Starting Point, and RJ Plasse, a male client who came to Starting Point in 2024.  At the banquet, RJ shared not only how important Mike; Starting Point; Ayiana and his son, Holden, are in his life, but he also included a couple of fun country song references and, especially, honored the Lord. You can watch his testimony online. You don’t want to miss how he and Mike engaged on stage, making the night very special.  

RJ’s story of a young dad coming to know the Lord and “suiting up” for his family was the perfect introduction to our keynote speaker, who experienced a teen pregnancy 30 years ago. David Mahan, Policy Director for Center for Christian Virtue and lobbyist, shared with us what it is going to take to “Preserve our Heritage.” The statistics are staggering, and he eloquently articulated what we can do as a community to support and encourage thriving families.  

It is not too late to help Starting Point reach our fundraising goal. 

We appreciate each Event Sponsor who made the night possible, along with every gift and partner. 

You can give online at www.friendsofksp.com

To watch our virtual banquet, visit

www.friendsofksp.com/2025-banquet