Meet Our Team
Melinda Milhorn - President
As President of Anchor of Hope, Melinda Milhorn is committed to creating sustainable housing solutions for families in need throughout the Fruitland Park, Florida community. Founded from a desire to help others while encouraging stability and self-sufficiency, Anchor of Hope was established with the vision of one day providing housing and support for homeless families in a way that restores dignity, hope, and opportunity.
Melinda has been an active member of Community United Methodist Church in Fruitland Park since 2011, where she volunteers extensively through church events, office support, and community outreach efforts. She also founded Community Partnership, an organization dedicated to meeting practical community needs while strengthening the connection between the church and the community it serves.
Now retired, Melinda brings valuable experience from her professional background as both a paralegal and property manager. She has been married to her husband for 11 years and is the proud mother of two children. Her passion for service, faith, and community continues to guide her work through Anchor of Hope.
Christine Wilson - Vice President
Christine is passionate about serving her community through compassion, leadership, and meaningful connection. As Vice President of Anchor of Hope, Christine is dedicated to helping individuals and families facing hardship by creating opportunities for support, encouragement, and long-term stability.
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With a strong background in community engagement, event coordination, and public service, Christine has spent years bringing people together to make a positive impact locally. Her heart for helping others is rooted in faith and a genuine desire to ensure that no person feels forgotten during difficult seasons of life. She believes that even small acts of kindness, support, and guidance can create lasting change within a community.
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Christine plays an active role in the organization’s outreach efforts, fundraising initiatives, and community partnerships, helping bring the vision of Anchor of Hope to life. She is especially passionate about creating programs and opportunities that restore dignity, build confidence, and offer hope to those navigating challenging circumstances.
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Driven by both compassion and purpose, Christine remains committed to serving others with empathy, authenticity, and a heart focused on making a lasting difference in the lives of those in need.
Henry Rains - Director
Henry has dedicated his life to protecting, supporting, and uplifting those around him. With over 12 years in law enforcement and a deep passion for public service, Henry brings compassionate leadership, integrity, and a servant’s heart to Anchor of Hope.
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In addition to serving as Director of Anchor of Hope, Henry currently serves as Chief of Police, where he has worked tirelessly to strengthen community relationships and advocate for the safety and well-being of local families. Throughout his career, he has witnessed firsthand the growing challenges facing individuals experiencing homelessness and hardship, which inspired his desire to become involved with Anchor of Hope.
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Henry believes that true change happens when communities come together with compassion, dignity, and action. His heart for helping others is rooted in both faith and service, with a strong commitment to providing hope, resources, and opportunities for those in need. Through Anchor of Hope, he is passionate about helping individuals and families find stability, encouragement, and a pathway toward a better future.
Kelly Smith - Secretary
Pastor Kelly W. Smith is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, who has served four previous churches in the Florida Annual Conference, over the past 33 years, and currently serves as the Senior Pastor of Community United Methodist Church in Fruitland Park, Florida.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education (vocal) and Religious Studies from Florida State University and also holds a Master of Divinity degree from The Divinity School, Duke University.
He and his wife Marybeth have been married for 36 years. They have three adult children, all boys - David, Kevin, and Joshua.
Eric Gerstemeier - Treasurer
Eric Gerstemeier is a Certified Public Accountant who willingly chose a profession where excitement is measured in basis points and suspense peaks during tax season. He holds both a
Master’s degree in Accountancy and an MBA from the University of Central Florida — because one advanced degree simply wasn’t enough spreadsheets.
As the self-employed force behind Gerstemeier & Company PA, Eric spends his days translating the thrilling language of debits, credits, and IRS regulations into something his clients can
understand without needing a stress ball. He is passionate about helping businesses succeed, minimizing tax liabilities, and explaining why “just write it off” is not actually a strategy.
When he’s not navigating financial statements, Eric can be found on the football field, where he serves as a coach and waterboy for his two sons. There, he applies many of the same professional skills: strategic planning, risk management, performance analysis, and occasionally yelling about execution. Between parenting, coaching, and public accounting. Eric has mastered the art of operating under pressure — particularly from deadlines, referees, and teenage athletes who suddenly “don’t feel good” on conditioning day