Over the last weeks, countless families have weathered horrendous storms. Hurricanes and floods have claimed lives, devastated homes and communities, and left thousands without safe shelter, electricity, potable water, or food. Impacted families now face the long, arduous process of cleaning up and rebuilding lives.

Every Friday at 4pm, Mission staff and program participants gather for Rally in the Chapel. There’s lively music, heartfelt presentations to participants completing classes, and inspirational speakers—often program graduates, community friends, or staff who share how God is at work in their lives.

Recently, staff member Katrina McMillan-Zapf spoke on life’s literal and metaphorical storms. Of course, Katrina highlighted the devastation of recent hurricanes. She tied physical destruction to “amazing stories of human love and compassion that confirm God is indeed in our midst.” Katrina went on to say, “Something I noticed when looking at some of the still photos of people in Texas helping one another after Hurricane Harvey, peo-ple lifting one another out of the water, carrying each other, or just comforting each other as they found safety…their faces were saying the same thing to each other. It was: I feel your pain, I care about you, I want to help you, I love you.”

I could see it, too--those hopeful, intensely personal, even sacred moments where the giver and the taker are bound together in the instant click of a

photo. One person in generous sharing wedded to another soul in need through the humble exchange of help, hope, and love.

Katrina held our interest as she moved to meta-phorical storms, those storms of wrong choices followed by an aftermath of havoc, the storms of miscommunications or misunderstandings that leave us bewildered or feeling alone. The storms we keep at bay, just under the surface, waiting to erupt. We see these devastating storms raging in the lives of people at the Mission each day. Homelessness. Broken relationships. Abuse. Lost jobs. Addiction. Mental Illness. Plans that fell apart. Sickness.

These storm victims feel alone, lost, unsure where to turn. Until someone—a friend, neighbor, pastor, employer—suggests the Rescue Mission. The moment a family comes to the door, our Christian Crisis Intervention Team swings into action offering safe shelter, good food, water, warm clothing, medical care, even educational classes and Recovery counseling where needed. This is disaster response in perpetual motion – not a one time or seasonal event – but a daily, around the clock, compassionate outpouring of love that instills hope and rebuilds lives.

In this newsletter, you will read Veronica Garcia’s story. Veronica came to the Mission fleeing a storm that threatened to not only take her life, but the lives of her children as well. Fortunately,

Weathering Life’s StormsBy C. Lee Clark, Rescue Mission CEO

The Rescue Mission is collecting new or gently-used coats to give to local families in need. Coats for men, women, and children of all sizes are needed.

402 4th St. SE, Roanoke • (540) 343-7227

Happy Coats-givingDonate coats by November 1st at the Rescue Mission or collection boxes bearing this ad

October 1 Recovery Intake - Women 4:30 pm

October 16 Week 1 of Christmas CardStuffing(Mon-Fri) 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

October 19 Bless My Sole 5:30 pm

October 23 Week 2 of Christmas CardStuffing(Mon-Fri) 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

October 25 Auxiliary Leadership Council 12:00 noon at 2nd helpings

November 5 Recovery Intake - Men 4:30 pm

November 13 Drumstick Dash Early Registration Deadline Midnight

November 15 Auxiliary Luncheon 11:00 am

November 16 Bless My Sole 5:30 pm

November 20 - 22 Accepting Homemade Pies for Thanksgiving

The Rotary Club of Roanoke-Downtown presented Lee Clark an $8,000 grant for the Pantry. Pictured are Pres. Anita Aaron (left) and Assistant District Gov. Andrea Milliron (right).

P.O. Box 11525, Roanoke, VA 24022 rescuemission.net (540) 343-7227 OCTOBER 2017

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

Continued on back page

Adopt-A-Family

Call 540-343-7227 or email:kevin.jarvis@rescuemission.net | bernice.flores@rescuemission.net

for Christmas and provide gifts for the children in shelter.Sponsor spots fill quickly. Contact Kevin or Bernice today to be added to the list of potential sponsors!

And the Winner Is…7 year-old Natalie Brochero of Fincastle, VA, whose turkey drawing will be featured front and center on the 2017 Drumstick DASH t-shirt.

Natalie was announced as the winner at a special reception for all the young artists at 2nd helpings Gallery on August 19th. Her drawing features a colorful turkey beneath the Mill Mountain Star. “I was really surprised,” Natalie exclaimed. “I didn’t think I was going to win.”

During a week of online voting leading up to the reception, Natalie’s prized turkey garnered a record 16,000 votes from across the country and beyond. “Her dad is from Columbia so the family here told family there and so on and so on,” explained her mother, LeeAnn Brochero. “She also has two older siblings who got all their college friends to vote and share with their friends. And we had relatives all the way in Atlanta and California voting, too.”

Natalie is a 2-grader at Roanoke Catholic School and says she hopes to get all her friends at school to take part in the DASH this year. On a September afternoon she visited the Mission with her mom and younger brother Kyle to learn more about it. LeeAnn Brochero says winning the contest has inspired Natalie and their family.

“Once she won we started learning more about the Rescue Mission. We realized how many people she might be helping by spreading the word about the Drumstick DASH. We’re excited to get involved.”

Taking second place in the contest with 6,014 votes was 13 year-old

Amaya Giggetts. Nine year-old Millie Wiegard came in third with 3,179.

“We think every one of the 60 kids who submitted drawings is a winner,” said Drumstick DASH Race Director Uneita Mathews. “And we’re stunned with the number of votes that were cast. We would love to see that translate into registrations for this year’s event on Thanksgiving morning!”

Don’t miss out on reduced registration fee! Early Bird Registration is open through Nov. 13th.

The Sassy Stitchers donated 14 quilts, 10 pillows and 5 sets of white linens to the shelter

Aetna donated 30 book bags full of supplies for our kids staying in shelter

When God Opens a Door“My child used to hide under the table and cry. I prayed to God to either change my husband or change my situation. When we ended up di-vorcing, I knew God had opened a door.”

For Veronica Garcia, it was a door that led straight to Roanoke in her effort to flee domestic abuse. “I needed to get far away,” she explained. “He was still coming around even though I had a protective order. I found out about the Rescue Mission in an online support group. My mother agreed to keep my three children (13, 7, and 9) in California with her for a few months until I could get settled here. It was the hardest thing I had to do.”

Garcia arrived at the Rescue Mission in November of 2011. “I had so little,” she said. “They gave me vouchers for free clothes and shoes and a coat from the thrift store. I had meals and a nice room to stay in at the Women’s Center. And I met with a case manager who referred me to TAP (Total Action for Progress) for domestic violence assistance. I stayed at the Mission for two months and then moved into TAP’s transitional living center (now closed).”

During her two months at the Mission, Garcia found a job at a store at Valley View Mall and another at a nail salon. By February of 2012, she was able to bring her children to join her at the transitional living center.

“The Rescue Mission was life-saving and life-changing for me,” she says. “Without it, I wouldn’t have found out about these other services

that were also there to help. But the thing that gave me hope was being in chapel at the Mission. Whatever evenings I wasn’t working, I was there. It provided the reminder that God was there and with God as your foundation anything is possible. Those are words that hit your heart and stay there.”

Recently, Garcia started her own business. “Punky Bright,” she smiles. “I do face painting, balloon twists, and glitter tattoos.” And just a year ago, TAP hired her as a Family Support Counselor. She now helps others facing situations similar to what she endured and escaped.

“Roanoke has such a giving heart,” she said. “I was welcomed here, and now I’ve found the pleasure and joy of life through helping others.”

drumstickdash.net• 5K Race & Family Walk• Register by November 13 to guarantee a DASH T-shirt• USA Track & Field CERTIFIED Route • Music to Enjoy along the way thru Historic Downtown Roanoke• For more information contact Uneita Mathews at (540) 343-7227 or Uneita@rescuemission.net

Thanksgiving Day

Veronica Garcia (right) and co-worker discuss case notes in their TAP office

DASHdrumstickMove Your Feet So Others Can Eat! 20

17

— A DOZEN DASHES —

The Relief Society at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salem used the children’s book “The Hundred Dresses” for a themed fashion show to make their dress collection fun. The group donated 115 dresses and gathered to learn how their donations and volunteer efforts make an impact at the Rescue Mission.

Join us for Trunk or TreatTuesday, October 31st from 6:00 - 7:30 pm in the DRC parking lot! You are invited to participate by decorating a trunk and handing out candy. Or you can donate large bags of individually wrapped candy, and/or donate new or very gently used costumes (larger kid sizes are always needed). For more information contact: kevin.jarvis@rescuemission.net or bernice.flores@rescuemission.net or call 540-343-7227

A group of employees from Roanoke Dept. of Social Services helped sort and stock merchandise at Thrift 460

Central UMC in Salem sponsored youth from Clarendon UMC in Arlington, VA, who spent a day volunteering in Food Services, the DRC, and Thrift 460

IN MEMORY OF GIVEN BY Lucille Angle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glen Angle Betty M. Arnold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jesse & Marie AirdAlberta Brammer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larry & Debby GibsonPeggy Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Allen L. FosterWalter Burnett. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan & Sheila DelpHarry E. Campbell, Sr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . James L. CampbellJim Dominick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janice S. DominickDicey Dudley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Salleigh RothrockDorothy Dunn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John & Bonnie DunnBonnie Ferguson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David HankinsIris Gibson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larry & Debby GibsonTommy & Darrell Gills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wanda GillsSteve Grantham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. & Mrs. Don GranthamMyrtle Griffin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Herbert W. GriffinWayne M. Harrell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg V. HarrellMary Hundley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John & Bonnie DunnDiane Hyatt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James Wayne HyattGene Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Evelyn Jones

IN MEMORY OF GIVEN BY Alice Kjeldsen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Allan R. KjeldsenMary Louise Lewis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C. Todd HesterMarvin & Peggy McGhee . . . . . . . . . . . Burrell A. McGheeNancy Middlecamp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas N. MiddlecampPaul Davis Myers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dorothy C. EllerWayne & Dorothy Sample . . . . . . . . . . Thomas G. SampleJenkie Shelor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Winton & Sue ShelorPat Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sonny SmithMrs. A. Victor Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. & Mrs. Eric ThomasSusan Vaughan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill & Flo FahrbachSusan Vaughan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lois Sue HashGib Wingfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joan S. SimpsonDan Zuro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lynette MartinPaul S. and Deloris T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hugh E. Jacobs

IN HONOR OF GIVEN BYHester Bishop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shirley WillJulia Cumins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Drew GibbonsWarren Davis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patricia H. Davis

IN HONOR OF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .GIVEN BYBarbara Farnum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Drew GibbonsAnne Hurt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Johanna GurleyJenny O. Lansky. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jonathan & Bonnie ApgarMary Jane McKeever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matthew & Rebecca McKeeverMargaret Motley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Drew GibbonsBev Pugh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sara & Corbin BaileyTerri Robertson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Drew GibbonsKarin Sparks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Drew GibbonsRev. Larry Sprouse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David & Pat DillonPaula Vail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs. James Robert JusticePat Wade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Drew GibbonsShirley Williams-Muse . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carol & Joe YosafatJeff Witt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shirley WillRay Witt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shirley WillYehovah Our Creator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris MurphyRescue Mission Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gail StricklerFlood Victims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gloriadene LancasterOur Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Harris

For Memory and Honor Gifts received August 15 through September 15To Remember and Honor, to Remember and HonorIn Memory & Honor of...

Pendleton (seated) and Recovery Coach David Hankins in the Learning Center

Keeping Love at the Front“Every time I hit rock bottom I bounced,” says Sam Pendleton. “When I finally landed hard I was in jail and I had no one to help me out. I was alone in the world for the first time.”

Pendleton came from jail straight to the Rescue Mission Recovery Program. “I was angry. I was bitter. I really had lost hope to live,” he explains. “Along the way something changed. I changed because I was learning a new way of living and I know I never want to go back to the life I had before.”

That life, says Pendleton, is one marked by addiction to drugs and alcohol that started at the tender age of six. “That was the first time I stole a cigarette from my mom. By the time I was 10, I was desperate for them every day. At 13 I was using and selling drugs, shooting up and hooked on crack at 15.”

Pendleton, now 34, describes growing up in a culture of drugs and violence that carried him into adulthood. “For a while I was trying to do better,” he says. “Then my cousin was killed and that really hurt me. I was fighting, drinking, and drugging hard, and I got turned on to meth. I thought about fishing trips I took with my dad when I was young that weren’t really fishing trips because he was making meth, and I realized I could do it. So, I started making meth and living with a biker gang. My life was getting dangerous.”

Pendleton’s brother finally got him into a rehab in Richmond, but Pendleton quit and came back to Roanoke. Eventually, more drug charges landed him jail, which led him to the Mission Recovery Program. After 15 months, he graduated in September and will spend the next year on a Graduate Peer Support assignment in the Learning Center.

During his time at the Mission Pendleton has joined Grace Family Church and passed his GED. He hopes to eventually take college classes and one day have a family. “I’m just trying now to keep love at the front of all my actions. I’m living my life to live it with purpose and joy. The Rescue Mission has been an answer to my prayers. I’m not angry anymore and I appreciate life. I don’t need to keep working to be accepted by people I love, for who I’m not.”

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League brought a donation and toured the Mission, then finished up with a business meeting and lunch in the boardroom

Volunteer with Us!2nd helpings Shop & Café Shop: Clothing and Merchandise Assistants to help customers find that special item Monday - Friday, 9:00 - 12:00 noon or 1:00 - 4:00 pm Café: Help in the kitchen and dining area Monday - Saturday, 9:00 - 12:00 noon, 11:00 - 2:00pm or 1:00 - 4:00 pm

HELP NEEDED NOWDistribution and Recycling Center (DRC) • Process and tag donated items, Monday - Wednesday & Saturday, 9:00 - 12:00 noon or 1:00 - 5:00 pm; Thursday, 9:30 - 12:00 noon or 1:00 - 5:00 pm; Friday, 9:00 am - 3:30 pm (must be age 14 or older)

Retail Volunteers (460 Thrift Store) • Help sort, process, merchandise & bag donations Monday - Saturday, 9:00 - 12:00 noon or 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Kitchen Volunteers • Breakfast from 5:30 am - 8:30 am daily • Morning Food Prep from 8:30 am - 11:30 am daily • Lunch on Monday - Saturday from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm • Afternoon Food Prep from 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm daily • Dinner from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm daily

Day Resource Center Monitors • Men’s Shelter, Monday - Friday from 8:30 am - 11:30 am; 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm • Women’s Shelter, Monday - Thursday from 9:00 am - 1:30 pm

Family Group Leader • 1 Hour per Week and a 3-4 Hours outing once a month

Bless My Sole Ministry Every 3rd Thursday of each month from 4:45 pm -7:30pm Great for Sunday School Class or small group!

Transport Drivers for the Mission Like to drive? Know the city? The Mission could use your services to transport guests and pick up donations

To Volunteer Please Contact our Volunteer Manager 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.

The Christian Motorcycle Association provided a chapel service in the DRC parking lot

Washington & Lee students helped out in Food Service and in our Donations Center

Meals and MoreThese numbers represent lives changed through God’s blessings and your generosity! August 2017 YTDMeals served 20,436 152,685Shelter nights 7,958 56,889Clothing items provided 3,542 23,973Professions of faith 540 4,568Volunteer hours 7,412 62,940Class hours of instruction 1,461 14,660Clinic patient visits 1,244 13,853Value of healthcare provided $204,354 $2,081,081Case management encounters 330 1,953Recycled Items (pounds) 64,484 489,193Manna households served 370 3,297Tour participants 121 554

The Rescue Mission is an equal opportunity provider

Wish List• Food Ministry: Sugar, Brown Sugar, Garlic, Pepper, Onion Powder, Mrs. Dash- Garlic Herb, Mrs. Dash-Onion Herb, Pot Holders, Cream Soups, Beef & Chicken base, Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo.

• Manna Mission Ministry: Cases of Water, Canned Meat, Canned Vegetables, Canned Fruit, Cereal, Coffee

• Shelter Ministry: Chap Stick, Bars of Soap, Men’s Razors, Men’s & Women’s Shaving Cream, Men’s & Women’s Deodorant, Baby Bottle Brushes, Reusable Water Bottles, Womens Underware (All Sizes), Sippy Cups for Toddlers

• Clinic: Trial size Toothpaste, Tablet or capsule form Cough & Cold medicine, Cough drops

• 2nd helpings: Bubble Wrap, Wrapping Paper, Packing Peanuts

the Mission offered safety from her storm, and helped set Veronica on a path where today she is giving back to other families through her important work at Total Action for Progress.

Each day and each night, new people come to the Mission for the first time. Battered, tossed about, uncertain where to turn. And thanks to you, they are no longer alone. The Mission is here in the storm, here to start the process of rebuilding. Friends and neighbors in crisis see the words on our faces, “I feel your pain. I care about you. I want to help you. I love you.”

We can’t avoid life’s storms. We can’t predict the day and time when landfall will occur and we or someone we love will need safe shelter. But we can be prepared. Armed with quilts, beds, food, volunteers, and a readiness to love, support, care and hold accountable, we will weather the next storm, and the next one, and the one after that.

You are key to that preparation. Without you, and the hope and help your support provides, much would be lost. From both the giver and the taker, we thank you.

Weathering Life’s Storms continued from front page