Adopt-A-Family - Rescue Mission

The Children’s Ministry at First Baptist Church in Roanoke
collected 144pounds of canned goods for Manna Mission Ministry
P.O. Box 11525, Roanoke, VA 24022
rescuemission.net
(540) 343-7227
Just Two Words
DECEMBER 2015
December 11
Adopt-A-Family gifts due
By Joy Sylvester-Johnson
I do not know the origin of this traditional
Christmas story, but I wanted to share my version
of it with you.
Jake was a good six inches taller and thirty
pounds heavier than every other second grader
in Ms. Jackson’s class. So when it came time to
assign parts for the annual Christmas pageant, she
decided he would make an imposing innkeeper.
The innkeeper only had two words to remember,
so memorizing his part would not be a problem
for Jake, who was repeating the second grade.
In rehearsal, Ms. Jackson was pleased that everyone
seemed to know their lines and perform them
with a degree of solemnness rarely evidenced
in her second- grade classroom. The angels
adorned with tinsel halos and gauze wings and
the shepherds in bathrobes holding their crooks
formed a perfect symmetry around the holy family
in the final scene. Even Tom and Archie, two of her
most rambunctious charges, were playing their
roles as wooly white sheep as if they understood
this was one time they needed to quell their natural
rowdiness in favor of calmly lying at the foot of
the manger.
Due to a previously scheduled dentist appointment,
Jake was absent for the dress rehearsal, but his
mother had assured Ms. Jackson he would be
there for the performance later that night and
he knew his line. “No room.” He had practiced
it over and over until he could say those two
words with confidence and the volume needed.
As the curtain went up, Mary and Joseph made
their way across the stage. Joseph had his arm
around Mary’s shoulder as they knocked loudly
on the large wooden door of the Inn. When the
door opened, Joseph looked up at Jake and said,
“Please sir, my wife and I have travelled far. As
you can see she is great with child. It is very
crowded here in Bethlehem and all the other
inns are full.”
Then Mary said with a pleading voice, “Do you
have room for us?”
Now was the time for Jake, who was standing in
the doorway with arms crossed, to say his two
words, “No room.” But instead of saying the expected words, Jake seemed frozen in place.
Joseph and Mary also stood as still as statues
not knowing what to do since Jake’s words were
their cue to move.
After an uncomfortable moment, Ms. Jackson,
thinking Jake had stage fright, whispered from
the wings, “No room.”
Jake turned and looked at his teacher and then
back at the miniature holy family standing with
puzzled expressions on their faces in front of
him. He looked one more time at his teacher who
was now silently chastising herself for casting
Continued on back page
Adopt-A-Family
for Christmas and provide
gifts for the children in shelter.
Contact: Natalie Kline at 540-777-7661
or Email: natalie.kline@rescuemission.net
December 12 - 2nd helpings
Art Reception: Ridge & Valley
Plein Air Painters, 1-3 pm
December 17
Bless My Sole
5:30 pm
December 21
Children’s Christmas Play
6:30 pm and 7:45 pm
December 22-24
Cakes, Cookies & Candies
Accepted through Dec. 24
December 25
Christmas Feast, 1:00 pm
January 8
Rescue Mission Annual Meet
Fralin Chapel & DRC
9:00 am
January 14
The Network Meeting
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
January 20
Annual Statement Stuffing
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
January 20
Auxiliary Luncheon
12 noon
January 21
Bless My Sole, 5:30 pm
Receive this newsletter
online call (540) 343-7227
rescuemission.net
2ndhelpings.org
(540)491-9405 Shop/Gallery
(540) 491- 9409 Cafe
http://stores.ebay.com/
roanoke-rescue-mission
THANK YOU to the many volunteers that came to help fold and stuff Christmas cards. There were 170,000 cards that needed to be put together for
mailing. We couldn’t have done this without our wonderful volunteers.
The Junior League hosted a Fall Festival for
children staying at the WCC
Approximately 25 members of the local HOG (Harley Owners Group) chapter came for
a tour of the Mission and brought $580 worth of fast food gift cards along with towels
and washcloths for Christmas Gifts and the Mission
Christmas
Gifts 2015
Experience Christmas at
Rescue Mission Shelter Bedtime Gift
Twin Size Sheet Set, Bath Towel & Washcloth
Child/Teen Shelter Guest Gift
Underwear, Socks, Pajamas in larger child and teen sizes
Adult Shelter Guest Gift (Man or Woman)
Gloves, Hat or Headband, 2 Pairs of Heavy Socks,
Chapstick, Small Lotion or Baby Powder,
$5 McDonalds or Hardees gift card
Rescue Mission Shelter Toiletries Gift
Deodorant, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Comb, Lotion,
Shampoo, Disposable Razors, Chapstick
Program Participant Gift (Man or Woman)
2 Pairs of Heavy Socks, Gloves, Hat or Headband,
$5 McDonald’s or Hardees gift card
Please return your unwrapped gift to the Rescue Mission by Friday,
December 14. Donations are accepted everyday from 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
in the Main Lobby: 402 4th St. SE, Roanoke, VA 24013 & online at
rescuemission.net | (540) 343-7227
SHOP • GALLERY • CAFE
• Curios, Clothing and Canine in the SHOP
• Fine Art by Fine Virginia Artists in the GALLERY
• Fabulous “Dine In” or Holiday Catering in the CAFE
Call 540-491-9409 For Holiday Catering
540.491.9405 • 2ndhelpings.org
1502 Williamson Road, Roanoke
100% of the profit from 2nd helpings goes to provide shelter,
food, clothing, and medical care for families in crisis.
Denise and Erin Marks play on the Mission playground
Desiree Craig, Lashanti Leftwich, and Raneyzia Leftwich
Christmas Wishes
at the Mission
their three younger siblings were sent to stay with their godmother in
Martinsville. “It would’ve been too hard to have them here while trying
to find a job and housing with no immediate family here to help me,”
says Craig. “I hope we’ll get to be together or at least visit them by
Christmas.”
“I’m glad she’s young enough that she won’t remember all this.”
Seventeen month-old Erin arrived at the Rescue Mission with her
mother, Denise Marks in October. Marks says she lost her job and
her housing after Erin’s father abandoned them and she was unable
to pay the bills or the cost of child care on her own. She signed up for
the Mission’s Christmas Adopt a Family program, but says getting
through the holidays would be much harder if Erin were a little older.
“Even if she doesn’t get anything for Christmas this year, she won’t
understand and won’t be upset like she might be if she were, say, 8 or
9 years old.” Denise and her daughter will find that they have not been
forgotten while they reside in the Mission’s shelter this Christmas.
Two of the older children currently staying at the Mission, 11 yearold Raneyzia Leftwich and her 12 year-old sister Lashanti, also turned
in a wish list. At the top of both their Christmas wish lists: a house.
The girls came with their mother Desiree Craig to the Mission while
Aside from a new home and time with her siblings, Lashanti, who
loves to write, included a diary that locks on her wish list, along with
a new purse. Raneyzia asked for a basketball and a pair of boots.
“Mr. Joe (Children’s Minister Joe Overfelt) told me there will be a
party here,” she says, smiling shyly.
“Everybody goes through different things,” says Desiree Craig.
“When you’re in a situation like this, you really learn to appreciate
things.”
“Sometimes little ones worry that Santa won’t be able to find them
with their new address,” says Stacy Boris, wearing a red Santa hat,
who coordinates the Mission’s toy drives. “It’s a relief for parents
here to know their children will have gifts at Christmas. We continue
to be blessed over and over as folks shop for the kids in shelter and
those whose parents are in the recovery program so that every Mission
child will have presents.”
Wells Fargo presented the Rescue Mission a $1000 Community Connections Grant
Grants Received
Wells Fargo Community Connections - $1000
Helen C. Cobbs Foundation - $17,842
Foundation for Roanoke Valley - $6,990
Cullen Family Fund of the Community
Foundation Serving Richmond & Central Virginia - $1,500
Emily Bautista brought 350 PB&J sandwiches from Hypatia at Virginia Tech,
a service learning organization for female first-year engineering students
In
Memory
&
Honor
of...
To Remember and Honor, to Remember and Honor
For Memory and Honor Gifts
received October 15 through November 15
IN MEMORY OF
Michael G. Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lucille Angle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gary E. Arney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Paul Beveridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Smokey, Millie & Phyllis Bowman . . . .
Katherine Bramblett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alberta Brammer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mr. Dale Burton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Harry Campbell, Sr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Robie M. Camper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dorothy Carder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maudleene Cochran . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Keith Colliflower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Phillip Correll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Betty Culpepper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brother Dave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Eugene Davison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warren L. Dickinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tony Doss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Janie Dudley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rev. Frank Feather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Laurie Ann Fitzgerald . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Iris Gibson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thomas & Darrell Gills . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steve Grantham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Myrtle G. Griffin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GIVEN BY
Carl G. Anderson
Glenn Angle
Mr. & Mrs. R. A. West
Charlotte & Noah Hutchison
C. O. Bowman, Jr.
Mark J. Bramblett
Debby & Larry Gibson
Karen Newsome
James L. Campbell
Joseph B. Camper
Mark D. & JoAnn M. Kochenderfer
Marjorie Altice
Lois Sue Hash
Linda & Richard Perdue
Mark D. & JoAnn M. Kochenderfer
Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Correll
Mary & Mike Collingwood
John M. Hardy
Mr. & Mrs. Harry C. Davison
Geneva P. Thompson
Dale Haven
Mr. Donald W. Hairfield
Mildred R. Wingate
Cornelia W. Hailey
Mrs. Curtis L. Rowland
Joy Sylvester-Johnson
Debby & Larry Gibson
Wanda Gills
Mr. & Mrs. Donald Grantham
Herbert W. Griffin
Shirley Garman dropped off some
toys that were donated by the
Bonsack United Methodist Church
Experienced Adults group
IN MEMORY OF . . . . . . . .
James B. Gurley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tommy Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Margaret “Peggy” Hatch . . . . . . . . . . .
Sam & Delores Helms . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mr. & Mrs. Claude Henderson . . . . . . .
Missie Hensley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Betty Hickenbotham . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gene Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jeanette Keezer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
James C. Lawton Sr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Louise C. Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ricky & James Mutter . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Barry Overstreet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alison Parker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nancy C. Quinn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mr. & Mrs. Radjou . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Raye Rebecca Rice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Michael Robertson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Frank Rocovich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Galen D. Saul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rosalie & Sydney Shaftman . . . . . . . .
Lou Showalter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
James H. Simmons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pat Simmons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Joan Sledd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jimmy Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pat Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ann Stout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Melvin O. Thomason . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Luther Twist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GIVEN BY
Johanna J. Gurley
Wayne & Melanie Bond
Will & Dona Ross
Dale Haven
Mr. & Mrs. Allan R. Kjeldsen
Dreama Ledbetter
James Edward Hickenbotham
Evelyn Jones
CMSGT Vincent P. Keezer
James Lawton
Joseph B. Camper
Mr. & Mrs. H. A. Mutter
Mrs Edith Garst
Mr. & Mrs. David G. Dillon
Kathy S. Porter
Peter F. Radjou
Bobby & Betty Goode
Jenet B. Robertson
Mrs. James Robert Justice
Margaret H. Saul
Bill & Flo Fahrbach
Linda R. Lefever
Charlotte, Betty & James, Jr.
Ms. Peggy C. Davis
Robert E. Sledd
Melanie P. & Wayne Bond
Sonny Smith
Mark D. & JoAnn M. Kochenderfer
Geneva P. Thompson
Eloise S. Twist
IN MEMORY OF . . . . . . . .
Sampson G. Vincent . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adam Ward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ellen Weaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Otis Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Michael Willingham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kenneth Witt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mike Wright . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dan Zuro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GIVEN BY
Jill Vincent
Mr. & Mrs. David G. Dillon
Reginald Stover
D. M. Williams
Reginald Stover
Calvin L. Witt
Mr. & Mrs. Richard F. Wright
Lynette Martin
IN HONOR OF
Norfolk Southern IT Retirees . . . . . . . .
Bill Adkins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
James & Susan Bane . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pat Basham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ann Blevins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gerald Carter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lois Hawthorne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bob & Beth Hetherington . . . . . . . . . . .
Carol Johnston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emily Martin Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sarah G. Kohler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Melissa Patsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Liz Reel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cindy Shelor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Joan Sledd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Faye Stewart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Veterans Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GIVEN BY
Linda A. Murdock
Stu & Sheila Zaikov
Marty B Carnes
Drew Gibbons
Bob & Mary Cole
Dr. & Mrs. Alvin J. Hurt
Lori J. Ponton
Gino & Peggy Arbogast
Lucile P. Bell
Danny & Diana Dugan
Drew Gibbons
Drew Gibbons
The Honorable &
Mrs. Jonathan M. Apgar
Anonymous
Robert E. Sledd
Drew Gibbons
Mr. W. R. Hammond, Jr.
Leo club members from William Byrd High School brought goodie bags for the
children which we were able to distribute during our annual Trunk or Treat Event.
Happy Coats-giving
Wrap Up
Wow! We asked and you delivered! Happy Coats-giving wrapped up with
an abundance of coats filling the racks at THRIFT 460 to give away to
men, women, and children in need. As of this printing, more than 1200
coats had been collected (with more still to be counted), and nearly 700
distributed. Thank you to the many individuals who brought in coats to
donate, and the dozens of businesses, churches, civic organizations, and
schools that held coat drives to make sure those who need them will have
coats to keep them warm this winter.
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes
at Roanoke Catholic School donated
800 sandwiches
Thriving in the Chaos
“I never dreamed that I would enjoy walking so closely with addicts
when 26 years ago it was a drunk driver who took the life of my dad.”
Stacy Boris, assistant volunteer coordinator at the Rescue Mission,
was only 19 when her father was killed. Now she helps lead a Celebrate
Recovery ministry at New Hope Christian Church, and interacts on a
daily basis with participants in the Mission’s Recovery Program for
addicts and alcoholics, even serving for five years as a family group
leader for women in the program.
“Maybe that’s part of God’s plan for me to not be angry that alcohol
took my father. Who’s to say what God is up to? I just keep trying to
get out of the way and let him work. Part of what I love most about
my job is the interaction that I have with so many different people,
and especially the program participants.”
Boris was hired at the Mission seven years ago, after volunteering
with her church women’s ministry to fill Christmas stockings for
children, decorate trees, and serve dinner. It’s during the Christmas
season that she continues to be an especially familiar face. “It’s my
favorite time of year at the Mission,” she says as she busily organizes
donations of toys in the toy room. “I love the hustle and bustle and I
truly thrive in chaos.”
Stacy Boris stocks the shelves in the toy room
Part of that chaos, for Boris, includes setting up the Mission’s Christmas
Wish trees at Tanglewood Mall, coordinating with organizers of various
toy drives, and working with countless volunteers to make sure every
child who comes to the Mission feels loved at Christmas.
“I get to see firsthand the joy on the faces of the children and their
parents, and the gratefulness that they express. I feel very blessed to
work at the Rescue Mission. God didn’t just nudge me to this position,
he pushed with both hands. I know I’m where I belong.”
Volunteer with Us!
Kitchen Volunteers
Breakfast and Dinner Shifts - Weekdays
PM Food Prep; 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm every day
Lunch Shift Saturdays 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
Bless My Sole Footwashing
3rd Thursday from 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
These heroes in a half shell, from McCorckle Orthodontics, delivered over 85
coats and a box of toothbrushes to The Rescue Mission. A huge thank you to
everyone who donated coats for our coat drive.
Manna Mission Ministry Volunteers
421 4th Street, Saturdays 7:30 am - 10:30 am
Merchandisers, Sorters, and Baggers
In our 2 Thrift Stores and Recycling Center
2nd helpings Café Prep Shift
9:00 am - 12:00 pm Weekdays
Math Tutor
For Learning Center
Men’s & Women’s Family Group Leaders
Weekly Commitment
Men’s Shelter Volunteers
(Men) 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Children’s Chapel
Groups of 3 to 5 needed to lead from 5:45 pm - 7:30 pm
Transportation Drivers
Needed for picking up donations and transporting guests
Network Volunteer Therese Farmer serves mocktails before “Sienna
Burning” at the Taubman Museum of Art. About 120 people attended the
Nov. 8 screening of the short film inspired by the life of Diana Covey, a
graduate of the Rescue Mission Recovery Program.
To Volunteer Please Contact Marcela Jara at
540-777-7651 or volunteer.info@rescuemission.net
Not sure how you can help or want to learn more about our
services? Join us for a tour of the Rescue Mission any Monday
at noon starting in the reception lobby at 402 4th Street SE.
Just Two Words
continued from front page
Jake in the role. Jake, who had never seen Mary and Joseph in costume,
seemed mesmerized. Then, with an air of determination he made a
decision. Straightening his shoulders and stepping to the side, with a
flourish of his arm, he said in a loud voice, “Come in. We’ll make room.”
For an instant you could have heard a pin drop in the school auditorium.
Then Joseph and Mary, looking at each other, decided without a
word between them, to enter the doorway to the inn in tandem.
As they did, the audience erupted into an explosion of applause.
Even Ms. Jackson, who had just asked herself why she had not made Jake
a camel, realized that a Christmas miracle was happening before her
very eyes.
That’s the way it is with miracles. They ambush our expectations
with such a loving and delightful surprise that we must shake our
heads, rub our disbelieving eyes and take another look.
When my dad was asked if he believed in miracles, he answered
without hesitation, “Why, I’m standing knee deep in them.”
And so are we. Every day.
God has a miracle for each one of us this Christmas. That’s all I can
tell you about it, but if you pay attention—you will see it for yourself.
And when you do—like Jake, there are only two words you need to
remember to say—“Thank You.”
Volunteers from St. Mark’s United Methodist Church served pancakes, made bag lunches, pinned
pins, and helped with Manna Mission Ministry
Thomas Barnette of Christian Life International
Church presented a check to Joy SylvesterJohnson
for $950.25; a portion of the proceeds from the
Jason Crabb concert CLI hosted in September
Over 350 children came to Trunk or Treat. Roanoke City Fire Dept. #6, Roanoke City Police, as well as several
local area churches participated. We had a fun house, games and free snacks for those in attendance,
along with live music by Joe Overfelt - Childrens Minister at the mission.
Wish List
Food Services:
Chicken Broth, Garlic powder, Pepper, Seasoned Salt,
Montreal Chicken & Steak, Chili Powder Salt,
Cream soups (celery, chicken, mushroom), Raisins & Craisins
Clinic:
Small Bottles of ibuprofen and Aleve
Manna Mission Ministry:
Canned Meat, Canned Vegetables,
Canned Fruit, Cereal
Men & Women’s Shelter:
Toothpaste, Toothbrushes,
Razors and Deodorant for both men and women
The Rescue Mission is an equal opportunity provider
Meals and More
These numbers represent lives changed through God’s
blessings and your generosity!
October 2015
YTD
Meals served
Shelter nights
Clothing items provided
Professions of faith
Volunteer hours Class hours of instruction
Clinic patient visits
Value of healthcare provided
Case management encounters
Recycled Items (pounds)
24,406
8,410
3,905
451
10,351
1,763
1,639
$261,510
203
13,039
232,529
87,289
33,929
5,262
84,706
15,653
15,835
$2,878,398
2,835
448,765