2011 November Newsletter

November 2011
BRIGHT HORIZONS
A Newsletter Ministry of Urban Mission
Rev. Ashley A. Steele, Executive Director
Angie Brown, Newsletter Editor
Dear friends of the Mission,
The holiday season is upon us at the Urban Mission.
For the next two months, staff and volunteers will be
working tirelessly to complete food orders, prepare
Thanksgiving meals, and help pack and distribute over
1,000 toys for our community’s children. This is an
exhausting task, but an ever so rewarding one!
We don’t do this alone though. Because of your prayers,
your support, and your willingness to make personal
sacrifices for the good of others, we are able to provide
the essentials to hundreds of families in their time of
need. Although the need continues to rise, so does your
generosity. Thank you in advance!
We welcome you to visit the Urban Mission this holiday
season. As a partner, we believe it is important for you
to see where your donations of time and money are
being used for good.
With every prayer, donation, and act of service, you
enable us the ability to bring joy to a little child, peace to
a family, and hope to a community.
Thank you for putting your trust in the Urban Mission,
“Bountiful Thom” Hits the Road
In just over two weeks, the Mission will be busy
packing and distributing our Thanksgiving Baskets
to 1,200 families in need. Your help with this
project is still needed. As of this printing (October
27, 2011) we have received $16,294 toward our
goal of $42,000. As you can see below, our
Turkey meter is rising!
You still have time
to help us with this
project. You can
send in a donation
in the envelope
provided. Or, we
invite you to come
out to one of the
locations
listed
below and see our
mascot, “Bountiful Thom”. He will be making
appearances all around town to gobble up your
donations to feed the hungry. For a list of
additional locations and dates, please visit
WTOV9.com and click on their Turkey Tracker.
November 06:
November 13:
November 14:
November 16:
November 20:
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Jewett UMC
Trinity West
Urban Mission Distribution
Crossroads Church (morning)
Word of Life Church (evening)
Rev. Ashley Steele
“Listening With Compassion; Serving With Love”
Christmas and Giving
Everyone knows that Christmas is a time
of giving. And this just doesn’t mean
giving packages all tied up in bright
paper and shiny bows. It can also be a
time of personal giving in a number of
ways.
I just finished reading three short
Christmas stories and it is here that a new
perspective of Christmas
giving
presented itself. Let me share with you a little of each
to help explain what I found out by reading these
stories.
Story number one, “Ansel’s Special Gift”, addresses
the question ‘What’s the most meaningful gift you’ve
ever given someone?’ It shows the joy that can be
derived from giving gifts to others and how these gifts
can remind us of what’s truly important in life.
Story number two, “A Christmas Miracle”, focuses on
the importance of giving. A young girl, Rose, dreams
of a Christmas morning filled with extravagant gifts.
It’s a dream that has no chance of coming true because
her family is poor. Ultimately, though, Rose’s
family’s act of kindness to a stranger produces a
Christmas miracle.
The third story, “Christmas Gifts” provides an ideal
way to introduce young children to the holiday season.
Using sweet and simple language, it recounts the story
of baby Jesus. The heroes of this Christmas tale are
seven barnyard animals who contribute their special
gifts to help baby Jesus during his first night on earth.
You can probably Google each of these beautiful
stories and read them on the internet and I invite you
to do so. They are three separate stories but the
message coming from them is so very clear. Yes,
Christmas is a time of giving. And for most children
it is a time of receiving, as they anxiously wait to see
what Santa has left for them. We all know what needs
to take place for Santa to bring these gifts. We also
know that in many families the parents are not able to
be the givers in order to help Santa.
There are many friends of Urban Mission who have
been long-time givers to help the many families who
struggle with Christmas. I am asking those who have
helped in the past to continue to help. And for anyone
who has never had the chance to do so, give me a call
and I will tell you how it works to become a giver to
help our families and their children with Christmas.
Allow Christmas 2011 to be the time when you give
from your heart to help others. Please allow yourself
to be giver of the gift of love. Give me a call at
740-282-2911 and I will show you how to do just that.
~Linda L. Smith, Program Director
Christmas Kids
Adopt one child, two children or even a family and help provide
Christmas presents for them. Families who participate in our
food distributions will register their children for this program in
October. The names and information for each child will be ready
for adoption beginning on November 1, 2011. Please call Linda
at 740-282-2911 to help.
Mitten Tree
Each Christmas a 7ft Christmas Tree is placed in the
office area and decorated with donated goods. Items
accepted for this project are gloves, hats, scarves,
socks, and mittens (new items only please). Parents
will be able to choose items from the tree for their
children when they pick up the Christmas gifts. We are in need
of lots and lots of these items to take care of all of our families.
Please have all donations back to the Mission by Monday,
December 5, 2011.
Operation Teen Stockings
Please fill stockings or gift bags (works best
because
bottles, etc. will stand better) with
personal toiletry items for teen girls and boys.
Items may include: shampoo, conditioner,
deodorant, toothpaste/brush, lotion, body wash,
aftershave,
hairbrush, comb, gum, candy, razors, etc. You can also include
gift certificates from McDonald’s or other fast food restaurants.
And if there’s room, you may add a small stuffed animal or other
items. Please have all donations here to the
Mission by
Monday, December 5, 2011.
Santa’s Recycle Shop
This program is for parents who do not have their
children registered with any agency. Donations of
gently used and new toys are used for this program. Ask your
children and grandchildren to clean out their toy boxes and share
with boys and girls who might not have Christmas presents.
And if you are shopping for your family, you could pick up one
or two extra toys to donate for this program. Please have items
to the Mission by December 12, 2011.
Hutton House Christmas
The Hutton House Emergency Shelter for families is in need of
help for Christmas. For many of the homeless families residing
in the Shelter, Christmas becomes a very trying time. Will you
consider adopting a shelter family to provide gifts for Christmas?
If you are interested in helping our families have a Merry
Christmas, please give me a call at 740-282-8903 and I’ll be
happy to discuss this with you.
~Debra Bryan, Shelter Director
Parish Nurse News: Shingles and the Shingles Vaccine
I recently received my vaccination against Shingles.
Let’s examine some facts about shingles and the shingles vaccine and you’ll see why I opted to receive this
vaccination.
Shingles or herpes zoster is a painful rash that is caused by the herpes
zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person
recovers from a chickenpox infection, the virus stays dormant in the
body. If the virus reactivates later in life, the person develops shingles.
This herpes virus is not the same virus that causes genital herpes.
Symptoms of shingles start with a rash that blisters and scabs after 3-5
days. The rash is similar in appearance to chickenpox. There may be
pain, itching or tingling in the area prior to the development of the rash,
which occurs along a nerve route. Other symptoms may develop which
include fever, headache, and chills. Depending upon the site of the
outbreak, complications can occur. One such type of complication is
blindness due to shingles developing in the eye area. Another
complication of shingles is severe pain after the rash has disappeared.
This pain is call post-herpetic neuralgia and may require treatment in a
specialized pain center.
Anyone who has recovered from chickenpox can develop shingles later
in life. Although it is rare for children to develop shingles, there have
been some cases. Shingles usually occur in persons who are 50 years of
age and older. People with medical conditions that affect their immune
system are more prone to developing shingles.
Shingles cannot be spread from one person to another, but the virus can
be spread through direct contact. Persons who have not had chickenpox
must not come into contact with the rash as they could then develop
chickenpox. If you suspect that you have shingles, seek medical
treatment immediately. There are medications that can lessen the
symptoms. Medications taken as soon as possible after the rash appears
may shorten the length and lessen the severity of the illness.
There is a vaccine to prevent shingles call Zostavax. This vaccine is
made from a weakened form of the chickenpox virus and has been
licensed by the FDA as safe. A study was conducted on this vaccine,
the Shingles Prevention Study. Based on the results of this study, the
Shingles vaccination is recommended for adults 60 years of age and
older. Although this vaccination has been shown to be effective in
preventing shingles in the majority of people who have received it, there
is no guarantee that it will prevent shingles in every person who
receives it.
The shingles vaccine is available at many pharmacies and health
centers; however, the vaccination may not be covered by your insurance
plan in certain places. If you are 60 and older, many insurance plans will
cover the cost of the vaccination, but the service must be billed to your
health insurance, not your drug plan. The cost of this vaccination is
approximately $220, so check to make sure that your health insurance
can be billed for this vaccination prior to receiving the vaccination.
You can review additional information about shingles and the shingles
vaccination at the CDC website www.cdc.gov or by asking the parish
nurse or your primary care provider.
~Michalene A. King, PhD, RN, CNE
Thanks for Coats
Our Annual Coat Distribution was held October 2426 at the Warehouse. Multiple dozens of coats and
accessories were distributed to those in need.
Special thanks to all those who donated coats and to
those who helped sort, hang and distribute them.
Our neighbors and friends will have a warmer winter
because of you!
New Chairperson for NCDC
The NCDC Advisory Committee of
the Urban Mission has elected Mrs.
Sandi Rue as the new chairperson.
Sandi has been a member of NCDC
since 2001.
She was part of a team
that
attended
the National Community Developers
Training in Columbia, South Carolina. She is a active
member of the Mt. Carmel Community Baptist Church
and Chairperson of the Women’s Ministry. To say
she is a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers would be an
understatement. SHE IS A FAN, OF THE
PITTSBURGH STEELERS, HOME, AWAY, WIN,
LOOSE (OK)!
Sandi and her husband are both participants in the
Senior Olympics. This Summer she was the winner of
3 gold medals at the Nationals in Houston, TexasGold medal in the 100 meter, Gold medal in the 200
meter and Gold as part of the 4x1 relay team.
Sandi directed the Math Excellence program for
Elementary School children, a program of NCDC for
five years. This program increased the test scores of
elementary students and earned State recognition for
the Steubenville City Schools. She is the wife of
Deacon Paul Rue and the mother of 5 children,
grandmother of 10 and great grandmother of 5. Sandi
answers to “Lexus Lady”, but never, “Hey You!”
These are a few of her accomplishments. We are all
very proud and pleased to welcome Mrs. Sandi Rue as
Chairperson of Neighborhood Community Developers
Program.
~Sharon Kirtdoll, NCDC Director
Urban Mission will close on Wednesday, November
23, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. and will be closed on Thursday
and Friday, November 24 and 25 for the
Thanksgiving Holiday. There will be no Mission
Rejoice on Saturday, November 26. Have a Happy
Thanksgiving!
November 2011
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Steubenville, OH 43952
Permit No. 103
Urban Mission Ministries, Inc.
301 North 5th Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
Phone: 740-282-8010
Fax: 740-282-8514
Email: mail@urbanmission.org
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
LABEL
What’s Happening in November 2011?
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
1
Hunger
Committee Mtg.
6
7
Daylight Savings Parish Nurse 11:00 a.m.
Time Ends
Thursday
Wednesday
8
2
Program/Eval.
Committee Mtg.
9
Friday
Saturday
3
NCDC Mtg.
4:00 p.m.
4
Mission Rejoice
6:00 p.m.
GSCDC Mtg.
5:00 p.m.
10
Election Day
11
Veterans Day
Lupus Meeting 6 p.m.
(Hampton Inn)
13
14
Parish Nurse
11:00 a.m.
20
21
Parish Nurse
11:00 a.m.
15
16
17
18
Packing for Food Food Distribution Food Distribution Food Distribution
Distribution
9:00 a.m.-Noon
9:00 a.m.-Noon
9:00 a.m.-Noon
9:00 a.m.
1:00–3:00 p.m.
1:00–3:00 p.m.
1:00–3:00 p.m.
22
23
Unity Kitchen
Thanksgiving Meal
12 pm
(Offices Closed at 1 pm)
27
28
Parish Nurse
11:00 a.m.
29
CSFP
Senior Food
Distribution 1 p.m.
5
24
Thanksgiving Day
Offices Closed
30
UM Newsletter
Folding and the
Board Meeting will be
December 1.
25
Offices Closed
12
Mission Rejoice
6:00 p.m.
19
Mission Rejoice
6:00 p.m.
26
NO Mission
Rejoice Service
Thanksgiving
Challenge
Our Annual Thanksgiving
Challenge is coming to a
close. It’s almost the big
day. There’s still time to
help if you’d like. For
November, you can bring
any of the challenge
items:
Sweet Potatoes
Chicken Noodle Soup
Cranberry Sauce
Yellow Cake
Vanilla Frosting
Questions? Please call
Linda at 740-282-2911.