Winter 2007 Helping Hands Newsletter, Visalia Rescue Mission

8/8/2019 Winter 2007 Helping Hands Newsletter, Visalia Rescue Mission

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blessed my life. After graduation from the

recovery program I found a job at Panera

Bread as a full time employee. I still live

at the Mission so God has blessed me with

an employer who is understanding of my

situation. I now have my son two to three

times a week and hope to have him come

live with me soon. I am currently looking

for a place to live and plan to go back to

school and finish my bachelor degree in

Political Science. Staying the course and

trusting in the Lord is well worth it and

has enriched my life in every way.

DEBORAH

On the street, home-

less and an addict, my

life was in shambles. I

came to the Mission

desperate to change

my life. God has

blessed me abundant-

ly. Since my graduation from the pro-

gram, I gained a full time job with full

benefits. The Lord has blessed me, giving

me a second chance to take care of my 9year old son Jeremy and He keeps bless-

ing me every day. I am in the process o

finding a place of my own to live with my

son. I truly believe that without the Visalia

Rescue Mission helping me find my way

back to the Lord, I would have never

made it. With both the strength of the love

that comes from the Mission and with the

Mercy, Grace, and Love that comes from

the Lord, I have been given hope knowing

anything is possible.

W I N TE R 2 0 0 7

What an exciting year for the

Visalia Rescue Mission. We

graduated 24 from our recov-

ery programs; 15 from the mens program

and 9 from the womens program. It is truly

exciting to see these graduates go on and

live productive lives in the Lord.and it all

began with a meal.

BOB

I love the Mission,

it saved me. When I

first came to the Mis-sion I wasnt sure if it

was the place for me.

Once I got closer with

my walk with the

Lord I knew this was the place I was

meant to be. After graduation, I had to

learn to stay away from old friends and

lifestyles. They can quickly drag you back

down. I am now working at the Senior

Center in Visalia and love working with

the seniors.

JIMMYI am currently

working for APED as

a delivery driver. I

came to the program

in April of 2005 and

graduated in June of

2006. The Mission

was a blessing and it saved my life. I was

court ordered into the program. When I

first walked into the Visalia Rescue Mis-

sion I knew I didnt want to be here.

Something told me to just stay just one

night at the shelter. I woke up in the morn-

ing with a feeling of total peace. I knew I

was on the right path and started walking

closely with the Lord. Now I am a walk-

ing advocate for the Mission.

LUANN

When I came to the

Mission, I was heavily

into my addiction and

my parents had taken

my two children. I was

so blessed to have theMission there when I

needed it the most. I was pleasantly sur-

prised that the blessings would continue

after graduation. After graduation I moved

home to be reunited with my family and

children. I looked for work diligently for

several months. God gently closed the door

at every turn. I could not understand at the

time but soon the picture became much

clearer. I put my application in at the Shel-

ter of Hope and within two weeks, I was

hired. Now I work for the place that handed

me Jesus on a silver platter. I enjoy my jobcompletely and being able to be a part of

such an awesome ministry is incredible.

Life is good.

RMANDA

I came to the Mis-

sion, my life torn

apart. I did not have

custody of my son and

was looking at possi-

bly being incarcerat-

ed. God has so richly

24 Graduate from our Recovery Programs in 200624 Graduate from our Recovery Programs in 2006


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Board of DirectorsMichael Allen

Ron Ballou

Ernie Flores

Bill Jordan

Nonning Leyendekker

Murray Minnema

Brad Reenders

Greg Scroggins

Mark Shelton

Bruce Tyler

Mark Vanciel

Dennis Vanderham

Danny LittleExecutive Director

Because You Care. . . were serving more in 2006

Meals served

139,129

Bed nights

36,344

Graduates

24

Chapel attendance

25,109

A Special Thanks Goes Out to:Sunset Rotary

For their support on repairs to the

Shelter of Hope women and chil-

drens shelter

Ashoori and Company Jewelers

For donating that beautiful emerald

and diamond necklace to adorn our

tree and the Christmas Tree Auction

Calvary Chapel

For the use of the Calvary Caf for

our Staff Christmas Party

Our faithful Chapel speakers

All those who supported us this

past year May God bless you!

A

s I reflect on this past year I am in awe

of all the miracles the Lord has done in

the hearts of those that have sought

out the Mission. But amazingly He per-

formed not just miracles in the residents

but also in the hearts of our donors and

volunteers. Many from our community

have come to us this past year seeking a

place to help. These donors wanted to

donate funds in an area that would have a

real impact in the lives of those in need.

They found that place in the Visalia Res-

cue Mission.

Every dollar given to the Visalia Res-

cue Mission is used locally to help meet

the basic physical, emotional and spiritual

needs of the homeless and the disadvan-

taged in the Central Valley. We continue

to be frugal and effi-

cient with your dona-

tions and the Lord

continues to honor

this. We want to thank

all of you that so faith-

fully give to the

Lords work here at

the Mission. We

would also like to thank those that have

given donations or volunteered this past

year for the first time. Just know how

much your help and generosity means to

the Visalia Rescue Mission. You are

changing lives.

We have exciting plans for expansion

this year that will impact our community

Please be praying that the Lord continue

Happy New YearFROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS by Mark Shelton, Chairman

News from the DirectorNews from the DirectorH

ow can you truly say thank you? I hope we are honorablein our verbal affirmation and appreciation to you who

make this ministry possible. We literally could not do this

work as effectively as we do if it was not for the thousands of

supporters that make it happen, providing Hope and Restora-

tion through Christ.

The Board, staff at the Mission, and I feel the awesome

responsibility to honor the gifts, time, and talents given to the

Mission and to thank you. We strive to be God-honoring in all

we do to bless the Lord and to serve this community.

We have just completed our biggest year ever. We served 139,129 meals and provid-

ed overnight accommodations for 36,344 men, women and children in our facilities. I am

thrilled to announce we graduated 24 men and women from our Christ centered recov-

ery programs. Please remember these men and women in your prayers as they seek to

walk in the new life they have found here in Christ. Bless the Lord.

May our gratitude be expressed in approaching 2007 with the same fervor to win as

many people to the Lord, may the excellence of our work be our protest.

Blessed in Christ,


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Volunteers Help at Thanksgiving and ChristmasT

hanksgiving and Christmas Meals

bring hundreds of volunteers to help

feed the community and give toys to

those less fortunate. They definitely put

the Christ in Christmas. We at the Mis-sion are so thankful.

What an incredible year for volunteers.

Everyday we give thanks for the number of

volunteers that come to help and all of the

food donations received by the Mission. We

had over 250 volunteers at each event to

help serve, greet, give out toys, distribute

clothing, slice pies, prepare turkey, serve

drinks and decorate the tables.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Kevin Bakker for deep pitting a hugeamount for both Thanksgiving and

Christmas

Susan Peck for getting so many donors to

supply pies and turkeys for Thanksgiving

Costco for supplying rolls for the

Thanksgiving meal.

Those who donated toys for the children

KARM Radio for helping get the word out

and for holding a toy drive for the Mission

The Exeter Boys and Girls club for

donating toys

Those who donated food for the meals

The volunteers who came to wrap

Christmas Gifts

Those who adopted the Family Center

and the Shelter to make sure they had

gifts for Christmas.

Volunteers Help at Thanksgiving and Christmas

TOP LEFT: Green Acres Middle School Desiree Terronesbrought in over 1500 articles of clothing and won the Helpthe Needy Campaign. TOP CENTER: St. Pauls Schoolselves helping load the toys. BOTTOM CENTER: LinwoodElementary Kindergarten. TOP RIGHT: Four Creeks Schoolhelping load the goodies. BOTTOM RIGHT: Central Val-ley Christian School Elementary Food Drive.

TOP RIGHT: Hope begins with a meal BOTTOM LEFT: Santa give gifts to a grateful child. BOTTOM RIGHTCan volunteering be this much fun? It can at the Visalia Rescue Mission!

FOOD, CLOTHING AND HOLIDAY TOY DRIVES


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Visalia Rescue Mission Choir in celebration at the Neighborhood Church. The congregation held a food drive and a love offering for the Mission.The College of the Sequoias nursing students volunteer their time to the Mission.

Radio-thon a Huge SuccessRadio-thon a Huge SuccessT

he Visalia Rescue Mission would like to thank KARM radio station and station manag-

er Loren Olsen for hosting our 2006 Radio-thon in November. We were able to reach our

goal of $20,000 enough to feed and shelter 10,870 guests.

GOD BLESS THOSE WHO MADE THE EVENT A SUCCESS

Our volunteers who manned the phone bank The Recovery Program Graduates who told their story KARM staff, Carolyn and Chuck and the Board of Directors Toni Vogt and Angela Walker for telling our story And last but not leastall the donors

What a glorious holiday weve had at the VRM this year. Hosts Sid and Judy Tuls alongwith the Womens Auxiliary held a Christmas party for the residents and staff. St.

Marys Catholic Church provided the parish hall for the event.

Santa Claus was the hit of the night, giving out candy canes and teddy bears. Even the

big kids got in on the act and sat on Santas lap and were given gifts. The children were

also presented with the childrens version of The Book. After a delicious dinner, we were

entertained by the Great Jonathan, Christian Illusionist. He had everyone on the edge of

their seats with incredible illusions; doves disappearing, reappearing and then turning into

cockatoos, ropes changing sizes, scarves that never ended and amazing escape tricks. The

evening concluded with a Candle Light service with everyone singing Christmas Carols.

How wonderful to hear again the true message of Christmas, Christs birth.

Santa Hands Out Gifts to Residents of the Visalia Rescue Mission

ABOVE RIGHT: Volunteer Theresa Maxey and intern Becky Garcia taking calls for donations and pledges. BOTTOM RIGHT: Tommy Stephens telling his story to Danny Little and Loren Olsen

Every month, the nursing students come to

take the blood pressure, check blood glu-

cose, temperature, and weight. In Decem-

ber they also brought lunch and gifts. Pic-

tured at right, Diane Bagley, staff at the

Family Center, gets her glucose checked.

COS Nursing Students bring lunch,gifts and check blood pressure

Visalia Rescue Mission Praise Choir

Santa Claus (Sid Tuls) asking TJ Irvin if he has been good boy.


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Rescued Treasures Ministry Honors & MemorialsMEMORIALSHoward Brummitt

Mary Dickerson; Martha Marshburn

Maynard and Verle Meredith

Tom Maxfield; M. J. Hopkins

Mr. and Mrs. David Dever

Walter and Leni Kupfe

Marcella Daniels

Jack and Joan Ellingson

John Kenedy

Dorothy Raybe

Frank Silva

Isabel Silva

Rita Saenz

Frank Saenz Jr

Gerald Lopes

Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Lope

Viona Weaver Epp

David and Brenda Weave

HONORARIUMS

Pinkham School Staf

John Davis

Luanne Michler

Glenola Conne

Brian and Siobhan Calvin

Brent and Renee Calvin

Neighbors in West Keogh CourtMike and Sharon Shannon

Byron and Marilyn Riege

Employees of World Wide Sires

John and Denise Schouten

Elnora King, Jeff & Sally King &

Brad & Mari King

Ruth Smith

Shelter of Hope

Charles and Wendy Culbreth

Brad and Marge LeachPaul and Lynn Olsen

Ruth Smith

Michael and Sara Knigh

Phillip Barnes

Dale and Diane Barnes

Upcoming EventsVRM Annual Banquet

March 29, 2007

Rain could not deter the Board of Directors and staff as they came out in full force to help

clear out the back storage area of the thrift store so we could put up shelving. It was a

great day of fellowship and bargains galore were had for those shopping in the parking

lot. What a tremendous ministry the Rescued Treasures thrift store has become for our

community. Rescued Treasures was established to:

Provide clothing and furniture items to

Mission residents and graduates,and to

the general public, through the vouch-

er system established with social serv-

ices agencies in the area.

Many recipients would not have the

clothing to wear to work or to keep

warm if not for the vouchers

redeemed at the thrift store.As our

residents graduate from the program

they are also given vouchers to help

furnish their new living quarters. Provide income for Mission Opera-

tions, which includes feeding and

sheltering the homeless.

In 2006 Rescued Treasures donated over$198,274 to those with vouchers.

Rescued Treasures Ministry

Staff Ramona and Jackie manning the cash register atthe clearing out sale.

Board Chairman, Mark Shelton gets help from Caleb Tylermoving items at the clearing out sale.

VRM PROVIDESPICKUP AND DELIVERYFOR DONATED ITEMS.

RESCUED TREASURESCONTINUES TO ACCEPT:

Furniture Small appliances

Appliances Household decorations

Tools Gently used clothing

Electronics Bicycles and luggage

With prayerful expectations we hope to

relocate to a larger location in the next few

months. We are also in need of a lift truck

for the pick up and delivery of appliances.

6:00 PM Fellowship6:30 PM DinnerDinner catered by Fugazzis

$30 for individual tickets$240 for a table of 8

For ticket and reservation information,please call Julie at 740-4178, ext. 12

Please come celebrate what amazingthings the Lord has done at the Mission.

Hear messages of hope and joy withrestoration through Jesus Christ.

26th AnniversaryHelpingHands

Celebration Banquet

Thursday, March 29, 2007Visalia First Assembly of God

3737 S. Akers


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Womens Auxiliary TreeChosen as Most Original

VisaliaRescueMission

P.O.Box109

Visalia,CA93279

Non-ProfitOrg.

U.S.Postage

PAID

VISALIA,CA93297

PERMITNO.119

ReturnServiceRequested

Aspecial thanks to the Visalia Chamber of Commerce for holding the annualChristmas Tree Auction, A California Christmas, to support non-profit agen-

cies in Tulare County. Our Christmas tree won Most Original.

The Visalia Rescue Missions breathtaking Christmas tree represented an

exciting reflection of the rich cultural history of Mexico and its influence on

Early California. Vibrant colors were displayed in all the ornaments including

colorful dolls and traditional tin ornaments displaying the artisans rustic skills

in shaping, etching and stamping these treasured pieces. Everyone was fasci-

nated by the festive side of this display of rich old world culture.

Womens Auxiliary members, Wendy Little, Lane Downes, and Lynn Dwelle,

worked vigorously to decorate the tree. The tree was adorned with an emerald and

diamond necklace, donated by Ashoori and Company Jewelers.

Our thanks go to Bill and Tanya Miller who were the high bidders on the tree.

Thanks also to the generosity of our donors, we were able to raise over $50,000 atthe Christmas Tree Auction. We would also like to thank those who donated items

for the silent auction, Goodies Cookies for the donation of a decorated small tree,

Karen Kingsbury for her Forever in Fiction donation, Karen Bachman for her

beautiful handmade quilt and Monica Stahl for decorating the small tree for the

silent auction.

Womens Auxiliary TreeChosen as Most Original

SAVETHISDATEThursdayMarch29,2006

26thAnniversaryCelebrationBanquet

Winter 2007 Helping Hands Newsletter, Visalia Rescue Mission

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