MAY 2008ISSUE NO. 45

—PHONE NUMBER—Sharing Hope Ministry

358-7803

—ADDRESS—P.O. Box 19985

Amarillo, Texas 79114

—WEBSITE—www.sharinghopeministry.org

—STAFF—April Riggs, Executive Director

april@sharinghopeministry.org

Susan Lewis, Development Coordinatorleigh@sharinghopeminstry.org

Leigh Link, Secretaryleigh@sharinghopeminstry.org

—STATISTICS—Total Life Recovery Bibles Distributed:

49,611

Total Bible Study Workbooks Distributed: 25,081

—VOLUNTEERS—Pen Pal Volunteers: 8Office Volunteers: 35

Prayer Group Volunteers: 4Stepping Stones Volunteers: 4

Jail Ministry Team Volunteers: 12Special Event Volunteers: 150

—BOARD OF DIRECTORS —Sammye Stark, President

Cheri Boyd Chris BradyJim Burgess Brenda BurnsShirley Daniel Dan HetrickConnie Hodges Becky LogsdonKyle Powers Jim ShelburneVonnie White

Newsletter Design Courtesy of

806-622-8399

This year’s Hope Fest fundraiser was an incredible blessing for theministry with over 440 people in attendance. The event was com-pletely underwritten by several area businesses and individuals

which allowed us to raise a record $75,000 for the ministry!

Our speaker, Margaret Willis, gave a movingtestimonial of progressing from the “perfect”life of a successful attorney to her time of spir-itual growth while being incarcerated. She toldher first hand experience of receiving encour-agement and services through Sharing HopeMinistry and talked about the progression ofbecoming less concerned with maintaining“man’s” idea of the perfect lifestyle and more concerned becoming more like Christ.

A very entertaining live auction with volunteer auctioneerJim Shelburne featured a “Backyard Adventures Play Set”,“Southwest Airline tickets and luggage”, “Donuts and Coffeefor Life” and a “Private Airplane ride with a RomancePackage.” Other entertainment featured music from “TheMartini’s” Jazz Band, a silent auction featuring over 100 itemsand last but not least, the 57 fabulously decorated tables thatgave the evening a wonderful atmosphere.

Sharing Hope Ministry would like to give our sincere thanksto co-chairs Wanda DeVoll and Susan Lewis, and committeemembers, Dan Hetrick, Carolyn Holmes, Kim Lester, Leigh

Link, Dianne Sagan, Laura Sims, Sammye Stark, Lota Taylor and Cheri Vogeler. We alsoare thankful for Randall County for assistance withthe facility set up, the Soroptimist Club for their helpwith the auction, Washington Avenue ChristianChurch and Westcliff Bible Church youth groups forserving the drinks and all the volunteers who deco-rated tables, solicited donations, and worked theday of the event.

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Thanks to ourHope FestSponsors

Thanks to the following individuals and businesses for theirsupport:

Josephine Anderson Charitable Trust, Shirley Daniel, Jimand Laura Sims, Becky and John Logsdon, Ron and CheriBoyd, MTS Transportation & Co., Mindy and Doug Briggs,Don and Sammye Stark, and Amarillo National Bank.

Thanks to the following individuals and businesses fortheir financial support that allowed all of the eveningsproceeds to go directly to providing Bibles, Bible studiesand supplies to the women we serve.

Josephine Anderson Charitable Trust Connie and Bob Garrett MTS Transportation Inc Becky and John Logsdon Brady Dental Group Shirley Daniel Gary and J’Melle Fletcher Laura and Jim Sims Dave and April Riggs Donna Bishop Coulter Drive Optical Cheri and Ron Boyd The Jones Family Plains Builders Inc. Elizabeth Maddox Diamond V Investment Group

Other businesses and individuals provided in-kind sup-port for this event. Thanks to Matt Holley and GraphicDesigns by Kim.

From Inmate#570605

Dear Volunteer,

I received your uplifting note and it did just that for me.Oh, how to tell you how much I enjoy this LifeRecovery Bible. I shared the address with a few otherwomen and they received their Bibles last week. MyBunkie never puts hers down. Bless her heart, she fallsasleep with “Life” in her hand and later wakes upreading more.

I wake up every morning looking forward to what Godhas me to read and understand. I know it’s time to turnthings around in my life; to make new plans of cleanliving. God is there to help me. I can feel his presence.I’ve fought so much, never with any peace and I beatmyself up. This was harder on me than anyone hittingme, and yes, that happened many times. I’m thankfulfor God giving me a chance, so I realize that I need togive myself a chance.

I still have another year to do, to work on my love for me,for Him, and others. I’ve carried some pain in my heartthat I don’t want to carry anymore. Every step I’m mak-ing is getting better and I’m thankful for that. I’m thank-ful for your help as well and my Life of Recovery.

~Miss Phyllis D.Gadsden Correctional Facility, Florida Oct. 12, 2007

EXPANDING OUR BORDERS!

Sharing Hope Ministry welcomes Maryland, Nebraska,Alabama, South Carolina and Pennsylvania to our area ofservice! We are now providing Bibles, Bible studies, prayerand encouragement to women in twenty-five states!

Our expansion is possible through those who supportSharing Hope financially, and by the volunteers that give theirtime to send each woman a Life Recovery Bible, studies, andwords of encouragement

How YOU CanHelp?

A donation of as little as $15.00 a month can send a LifeRecovery Bible and Bible study materials to a womanwho is incarcerated or in drug rehabilitation. Thewomen who receive our services do so because theymake their own personal request. These women aresearching for help as they build a new life with Christ.

There are several ways to donate to Sharing HopeMinistry. Visit our website at www.sharinghopemi-nistry.org to print off a donor form or use the optionalBank Draft Authorization form and each month yourdesignated donation will be deducted from youraccount without the hassle of writing and mailing acheck. The office also accepts MasterCard and VISA.

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CChhrr ii ss ttmmaa ss ii nn OOcc tt oo bb ee rris scheduled for October 25th and 26that the South Exhibit Hall, Civic Center.

There will be many volunteer opportunities and we would lovefor you to call the Sharing Hope office at 358-7803 and let usknow where you would like to serve. We are looking for vol-unteers in the following areas:

• A volunteer coordinator to help recruit bakers for the Bake Sale.

• Sponsors who are willing to underwrite $500.00 or more of expens-es for the “Christmas in October” fundraiser.

• Gift cards from Hobby Lobby and Michaels for “Christmas inOctober” supplies.

• Workers during the event.

• Those who can provide items for the Bake Sale

• Women to make bows before the event.

• Fluffers and Foofers to decorate the bake sale items on Oct. 24th.

• Women to provide Christmas or Fall containers, clear cellophane,decorations and ribbon for the Bake Sale.

• People who are willing to pray for the event and those involved inplanning.

We L�ve OurVolunteers!

VOLUNTEERAPPRECIATION WEEK!

Sharing Hope volunteers provided over 5,600 hourslast year working to assist 14,500 incarceratedwomen nation wide in their recovery from destruc-tive behavior by sharing God’s love and hopethrough the teaching of His Word.

These volunteers, representing about fifteen differ-ent churches, come together to show God’s love tothe incarcerated women who need Him to make thechanges necessary to live a life full of hope. Weappreciate not only those workers who come eachweek but also our donors who keep providing theBibles and studies that are sent out, and those whokeep the ministry lifted up in prayer.

DONOR CARDI want to be a part of showing hurting women

a new way to live in Christ

Name ______________________________________ Home Phone ____________________ Work Phone____________________

Address ______________________________________ City __________________________ State _______ Zip _____________

Give a hand, Buy a Foot: � I want to provide a piece of Patsy’s Place – $50.00 x _____ feet = $_____________.

� I would like to provide the Life Recovery Bible ($15.00) to incarcerated womenor women in rehabilitation facilities – $15.00 x _____ women = $_____________.

� Draft my bank account each month for this amount $__________________.(Please complete the bank draft authorization below.)

BANK DRAFT AUTHORIZATIONI authorize Sharing Hope Ministry to initiate debit entries to my checking account named below.

(You may attach a canceled check or deposit form in lieu of filling out the bank information requested below, but your signature is still required.)

Depository Name _________________________________ City _________________________ State _______ Zip ____________

Transit/ABA No. _________________________________________ Account No.__________________________________________

This authority remains in full force and effect until Sharing Hope Ministry receives written notification from me of its termination in suchtime and in such manner as to afford Sharing Hope Ministry a reasonable opportunity to act on it.

Name (print)_____________________________________________ Social Security Number _______________________________

Date _____________________ Signed _________________________________ Signed _________________________________

P.O Box 19985 • Amarillo, TX 79114

Non Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDAmarillo, TexasPermit No. 237

P.O Box 19985Amarillo, Texas 79114

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SShhaarriinngg HHooppee SSuuppppoorrtteerrss SShhaarriinngg HHooppee SSuuppppoorrtteerrss -- -- JJaann--MMaarr 22000088JJaann--MMaarr 22000088Sharon AlbrachtWalter & Martha AllisonAmbassador's ClassAnonymousJerry & Trish BaileyKeith & Darla BanksLetha BanksDebbie BarronMary BarronJerold & Karlena BarryAnita BellieuDonna BishopVirginia BonifieldRon & Cheri BoydMarie BraboyHazel BradleyLisa BradshawBrady Dental GroupDoug & Mindy BriggsEmma Louise BrownJudy BuckleyJim & Lonna BurgessTerry & Brenda BurnsMarjorie CarrollRoger & Cheryl CastleberryJerry & Perky CatesJean ChunnKeith & Frances ClarkKevin & Kris CollinsJoyce ColvertShannon CornellCoulter Drive OpticalTim & Daphne Cox

Don & Peggy CriswellLarry & Delores CrossShirley DanielDiamond Back ExplorationDiamond V Investment GroupBernice DoshierSandy DuncanPaul & Linda EndresFaith City MissionFisherman ClassGary & J'Melle FletcherBill & Patsy ForbusFrank & Becky FosterG4D LimitedBob & Connie GarrettChip & Phyllis GarrisonMichael GrahamBen & Bonnie GreenRebecca GreenCharla HakimiDavid & Pam HallT. D. HammonsGordon & Jean HerrDan & Glenda HetrickDavid & Mona HigginsHigh Plains ChristianMinistriesHillside Christian ChurchAnita HintonRonald & Connie HodgesBetty HollomanEarl & Carolyn HolmesHudgins Fund

Betty Brown JohnsonKen & Janice JohnsonFran JoinerRod & Julie JonesJosephine Anderson CharitableTrustDavid & Janet KampschroederJoanna KendallJeannie KuhlmanKirk & Candy KuykendallLamplighters ClassPenny LawlisSam & Susan LewisBuddy & Leigh LinkJohn & Becky LogsdonElizabeth MaddoxAlan & Julie MannJoy MathewsCory & Julie MathisDavid & Jane McCaneGordon McOwenJane MeyersMississippi Soap Co.Margaret MooreMTS TransportationNew BeginningsPathfinders ClassPanhandle Steel BuildingsPeacemakers ClassGray & Karen PedenDon & Alby PetersTex PhillipsPlains Builders Inc.

Prairie Flowers Ext. Edu. ClubGary & Jody PurserDave and April RiggsJohn & Laurie RiggsLydia RodriguezBruce & Molly SadlerClaire SadlerBob & Jane ScottMendell SchelinMary SchoolerJerry & Joyce SchultzRebecca & Judd SimmonsJim & Laura SimsSinclair's WarehouseFletcher & Charlotte SmithJim & Janet SmithGeorge and Bonnie SnellSoroptimist International ofAmarilloLinda StaffordDon & Sammye StarkLota TaylorDeborah TilsonJohn & Diana TolkDouglas ToulouseEvelyn Van DeventerVitel CommunicationsJo WalkerSteve & Marilyn WaterhouseJolena WatsonWestcliff Bible ChurchWestcliff Bible Church-YouthGroup

Roy & Elnore WheelerKin & Vonnie WhiteMargaret WillisJune WilsonMickey and Judy WilsonWomen of GraceAnna WrightXcel Energy Foundation

IN HONOR OF:Rev. Robert Dowdyby Dave and April Riggs

Peggy Culpby Ken and Janice Johnson

Gail Dickersonby Ken and Janice Johnson

Carolyn Williamsby Ken and Janice Johnson

IN MEMORY OF:Jan Fishmanby Bob and Connie Garrett

Geneva Stoutby Bob and Connie GarrettConally Waitesby Ken and Janice Johnson

PATSY’S PLACE:Ben and Bonnie GreenDavid and Mona HigginsMargaret WillisMarvin and Wilda Willis

IN KIND:Herring BankMatt HolleyKim LesterJim Sims

HELP!HELP! Sharing Hope Ministry Has Several Needs:

� Women to complete training to become a Stepping Stones Partner.

� Volunteers to do data entry for 1-2 hour a week on Mon. or Thurs.

� Volunteers to prayer over inmate requests. You pray at your own con-venience at your home.

� Soft cover, Christian or appropriate reading materials for inmates atRandall County Jail.

� Clean, appropriate clothing for Randall County Jails “ClothesCloset” for women in need of upon release.

� Brushes and combs for our hygiene bags.

MENTORING

TRAINING SCHEDULEDStepping Stones is the aftercare program designed to providespiritual encouragement and follow-up support for womenwho have been incarcerated and are living in Potter orRandall County.

Stepping Stones training will consist of 12 sessions from 6:30p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings. Training for new vol-unteers have been scheduled from June 5th – August 21st.

The women who complete this training will be a key elementto the success of the women who will reside at Patsy’s PlaceTransitional Home. As the Stepping Stone Partner, you willassist a woman in making the positive transition to a life freeof crime, drugs or other negative influences.

Those interested in applying to be a Stepping Stones Partnershould contact the Sharing Hope office at 358-7803.