Havens Chapel UMC of Check, VA made 80 Valentine bags for our Men’s Shelter guests P.O. Box 11525, Roanoke, VA 24022 rescuemission.net (540) 343-7227 MARCH 2017

March 5 Recovery Intake - Women Multiplying the WOWs 4:30 pm

By Lee Clark, CEO March 9 The Network Meeting At the Rescue Mission, we pray. Prayer, with Double Wow. 5:30 pm a deep recognition of our dependence on March 15 God, is permeated in our very being as Christian Others, more than I can count, have told me Roanoke Valley Gives people of faith. We pray before and after they are praying for me, the Mission, our (on-line giving for 24 hours) we meet, we pray as we walk together, we staff, volunteers, and especially the people pray for direction and wisdom and under- we serve. It is a powerful testimony to the March 15 Auxiliary Luncheon standing. Occasionally we even have “flash work of God’s people that we pray and that 12:00 noon prayers” where anyone who is able shows God in his infinite mercy responds. He responds up at a designated time and place to pray. with strength, wisdom, insight, and resources March 16 I suspect many of us wake in the dark, early that arrive in just the right amount, at just Bless My Sole 5:30 pm hours of the morning and immediately pray the right time. March 20 with urgency for people by name, seeking Pastor’s Lunch 12:00 noon guidance for challenges that are troubling As a direct outcome, lives are transformed. us or strength for opportunities that wait in March 24 the new morning. I know I do. I am deeply aware that I need prayer. I am Roanoke College Choir Concert- St. Andrews profoundly humbled that people are pray- 6:00 pm At a recent Women’s Recovery Core Meeting, ing for me. This Mission belongs to God. It is Melissa Neal, Recovery Program Manager, his work. He promises to never leave us nor April 2 was seeking prayer requests round robin, forsakes us. Recovery Intake - Men 4:30 pm person by person. When my turn came, I explained I’d been awake in the early hours As you might imagine, a lot of my time these April 8 - 2nd helpings and how I prayed for God to provide the wisdom, days is spent in meetings. These meetings Double Line Painters of the strength and guidance I need to do this job. include Community Partners, Pastors, donors, Blue Ridge, Live Demos Libby Linkous, one of the Recovery Coaches, volunteers, Mission staff, Board Members, April 19 spoke up and said “I wasn’t going to say this, local government leaders as well as guests Auxiliary Leadership Council but I want you to know that my husband and participants who receive help and love 12:00 noon and I have committed to pray for you every here. These opportunities are giving me night.” unique insight into the hearts of the people April 20 Bless My Sole 5:30 pm we serve and those who serve. Many want Wow. to know how they can help. I’ll share with April 30 you what I tell them—Pray. We need your Recovery Intake - Women A day later, my sweet wife Sandra was at her prayers. 4:30 pm job as a RN. She was helping a patient who, Receive this newsletter in the middle of the intake asked, “Are you And if out of your prayers, you are led to give online call (540) 343-7227 related to Lee Clark at the Rescue Mission?” of yourself by connecting us to new friends, rescuemission.net When she confirmed she was, the patient volunteering or making a gift in a cheerful 2ndhelpings.org shared “when I get to the Mission, I pray for and intentional way, then please do so. By (540) 491-9405 Shop/Gallery him.” Sandra asked where she worked at the investing your time, talent, and treasures (540) 491- 9409 Cafe Mission. The person responded, “Oh no, I’m here, the “wows” will be multiplied in all our http://stores.ebay.com/ not able to volunteer but when I get to the lives. roanoke-rescue-mission Mission in my prayers each night, I pray for Lee. I read that he was coming back to the Thanks to you, lives are transformed. Mine Mission and I’m so glad he did.” included. Here I Am, Lord

He was a radiation safety expert in upstate New York. She was an administrative assistant in Sidney, Australia. After three years cor- responding through a Christian pen pal website, they met face to face in 2000, married in 2001, and relocated to Maryland with five teenagers between them.

“There were jokes about the Brady Bunch,” laughs Tom Mercer. “Friends called us the Mercer Bunch.”

Eventually, Tom and Grace Mercer answered the call to become full-time missionaries, spending five years in the Philippines, where Grace Mercer was born and raised.

“I said ‘here I am Lord, send him’,” jokes Grace. The couple opened Tom and Grace Mercer pose with Chief Administrative Officer a coffee shop in the hopes of meeting and ministering to adults. Kim Gembala, who presented their Mission Angel award “They weren’t interested,” says Tom, “but it quickly evolved into a youth center and by the time we left the Philippines we were “When God has a plan he makes it happen,” says Grace. “So many feeding about 100 youth every night and providing clothing and things we did and learned in the Philippines we are able to do a children’s ministry.” here. The first thing we did at the Rescue Mission was oversee Camp Jubilee. And we especially enjoy working with the children’s After another three years working with refugees in Atlanta, the ministry and chapel.” Mercers wanted to be nearer to their children and grandchildren, scattered throughout the Northeast. The Mercers also renovated a house that was donated to the Mission, have served in the Learning Center, volunteered in maintenance, “We were all set to move to Harrisonburg to work with refugee and they transport shelter guests twice a week for voucher shopping resettlement,” says Tom. While we were driving there we got emails at THRIFT 460. that the houses we were going to look at had been sold, so we ended up stopping in Roanoke to visit the Rescue Mission.” They were awarded the Mission Angel for their service on Volunteer Appreciation Day. That was last May, and in June the Mercers moved to Roanoke to be Rescue Mission volunteers. “It is fulfilling and rewarding to us,” says Tom. “We’re blessed to be here.”

Food Lion selected the Rescue Mission as a “Souper Star Kitchen” and brought 10 area store managers to prepare and serve lunch on Val- entine’s Day. “Some of us have never served at the Rescue Mission before,” said District Manager Rob Wade. “We are excited to actually serve at a place we help support and see how the Mission works.” Give where you live!

Our CEO will be dashing for dollars on Roanoke Valley Gives Day! Lee Clark is teaming up with our Drumstick DASH Spokes Turkey to run a leg of the race route for every $10,000 that is donated. Don’t leave them stranded on the street corners! Follow our Facebook Live updates throughout the day, donate, and get your friends and family members to donate as well.

Mark Skolrood of Skolrood Law Firm has offered a challenge gift of $10,000 to get 03.15.17 things rolling. Here’s how you can help: An initiative of Foundation for Roanoke Valley

Go to rvgives.givebig.org and search for Rescue Mission of Roanoke. You don’t even have to wait until March 15 to give! Visit the site today and schedule your gift to be processed on March 15. **Gifts must either be given on March 15 or (From left to right) Tracy Altizer, Kim Gembala, and scheduled to be processed on March 15 to count towards the RVG Day total** Helen Ferguson Our goal is to raise $65,000, which will run the Rescue Mission for five days. That’s five days of meals for a hungry child, five days of shelter for a homeless family, five days of recovery for an addict, and so much more. Writing the Next Chapter

Last year the Rescue Mission won a bonus prize of $10,000 as the non-profit Kim Gembala celebrates 14 years of employment with the Rescue that raised the most money. We’re counting on you to help us do it again! Mission this month with a hopeful eye towards the future and complete confidence in the new team at the helm.

“I’m working with a group I trust with my soul,” says Gembala, who was recently promoted to Chief Administrative Officer. “I believe it’s a God-ordained team. God has brought the four of us together, each one uniquely talented with different gifts and skills. We just really complement each other well, and I want more than anything for that to trickle to the rest of the staff.”

The Mission’s leadership team of four is led by Lee Clark, who took the official title of CEO in January. Tracy Altizer was promoted to Chief Development Officer, and Helen Ferguson was promoted to Chief Program Officer, overseeing all clinic, shelter, program, and food services. Ferguson says her six years at the Mission have taught her to rely on God, which in turn enables her to trust her instincts and not second-guess her own decisions. She’s thankful, Wells Fargo proudly displays their trophy for winning the Union Drumstick though, for the team’s approach to decision-making. DASH Team Challenge! They had 150 employees participate in the 11th Annual Drumstick DASH. “There really haven’t been any communication barriers to overcome. It’s pretty remarkable how well we fit together. There’s room for discourse and disagreement. We can vent and voice our concerns, and then collaborate with each other to get the things done that God has called us to do. We want the staff to be able to communicate with us in that same spirit.”

Altizer readily agrees. With two years under her belt at the Rescue Mission, she oversees fund development, volunteer staffing, media relations, and industry (thrift stores and donations). Altizer credits the unity to the team’s commitment to praying together.

“It has been so encouraging how quickly we have come to respect and appreciate each other’s strengths. No one is in it for personal glory. We struggle and pray through the hard decisions together and we celebrate the successes together. Fortunately, we have a whole staff of more than 100 people who we know are faithfully Medino Spreco and Tea Hadzic of Ekskluziv Salon donated hair products committed to helping hurting people in Jesus’ name. It will be exciting for the Angels with Scissors salon in the Women & Children’s Center to write the Mission’s next chapter together.” In Memory & Honor of... For Memory and Honor Gifts To Remember and Honor, to Remember and Honorreceived Janauary 15 through February 15 IN MEMORY OF GIVEN BY IN MEMORY OF GIVEN BY IN MEMORY OF GIVEN BY Robin Kay Allen ...... David & Freda Scott Hazel Harris Davis ...... Dawn D . Hearp Galen D . Saul ...... Margaret H . Saul Lucille Angle ...... Glen Angle Nancy Katherine Dean ...... Janice Phillips Barbara Shelton ...... Mrs . James Robert Justice Morris G . Belcher ...... Betty & Butch Kelly Irv & Kay Routt Paula Vail Hester Bishop ...... Shirley W . Witt Ernest Dooley ...... Barbara Haymaker Ralph Sink ...... Dorothy Sink Alberta Brammer ...... Larry & Debby Gibson Donnie Dyer ...... Barbara K . Dyer Pat Smith ...... Sonny Smith Jalene Buck ...... Richard & Sarah Glass Lois Farmer ...... Mrs . James Robert Justice Ruby Smith ...... Paula Vail James & Joan Tyree Paula Vail William “Bill” Whitfield Smith, Sr. . . . Leon Harris David Frederick Bullington ...... Acquisition Title & Settlement Agency Rev . Harold Fuss ...... Jacqueline Fuss Katherine Spicer ...... Mrs . James Robert Justice BCT Recordation Inc . Iris Gibson ...... Larry & Debby Gibson Dorothy Thacker ...... Paula Vail Fidelity National Title Archie Goode ...... Diane S . Goode Franc “Frankie” Thomas ...... Lois Sue Hash The Real Estate Group Gregory V . Harrell ...... Gregory Harrell Vernon & Naomi Jamison Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors Michael T . Harris ...... Evelyn Blake Harris Julie L . Owen Smith/Packett Med Com LLC Sandra Brown Hatcher ...... Ginny Bennett Paula Vail Robert Amick Kendra Grant Sampson G . Vincent ...... Jill M . Vincent Janet Ball Samuel & Ruth Maruca W . A . Walker, Jr ...... Jonathan & Bonnie Apgar Stephanie Beadles Robert Semtner Jeff Witt ...... Shirley W . Witt Shelby Bingham Mr . & Mrs . Claude Henderson . . . . Allan R . Kjeldsen Kenneth L . Witt ...... Calvin L . Witt Harry & Ellie Bosen Lee Holdridge ...... Diane Holdridge Ray Witt ...... Shirley W . Witt Gene & Terrie Brown Larry Howard ...... Tammy Dooley Dan Zuro ...... Lynette Martin Jennifer Breckenridge Gene Jones ...... Evelyn Jones Butch & Bob ...... B . A . Wingo Deborah A . Burr Jean Kesler ...... Sue Shelor My Franklin County Friends . . . . . Hugh E . Jacobs Jerry & Jane Cheadle Patrick Leach ...... Betty Leach Our Parents ...... Ray & Libby Plymale Kendall Cloeter Effie Lovern ...... Richard & Martha Throckmorton Heather Curry John Markey ...... Bill & Flo Fahrbach IN HONOR OF GIVEN BY Andrea & Barry Flora Vernon & Naomi Jamison Charles Alexson ...... Carol Halvorsen Frank Davis & Ellen Furlough Della Mattox ...... David Hankins Gary E . Arney ...... Frances & Richard West Nita Echols Evelyn Hamilton McCormack . . . . . Hart Motor Company Lawrence C . Camper ...... Joseph B . Camper William G . Mangus, Jr . Kathy Basham Warren Davis ...... Patricia H . Davis James & Annemarie McCloskey Phyllis Boardwine Ron & Lou Lewis ...... Edward Holliman Janie Meggers & Linda Danielle Bonnie M . Davis Terry H . Martin ...... Karla Soukup Monica Moore Ray & Fran Light Linda Parks ...... Hattie Rogers Brett & Linda Roach Billy R . Mottesheard Jay Patel ...... Pinkesh Patel - Togethar LLC Judy Sgroi Fred & Nancy Russell Jay & Riddhi Patal ...... Pinkesh Patel - Togethar LLC Cheryl Shepherd Leonard & Brenda Surber Mac Reel ...... Jonathan & Bonnie Apgar Deborah Shepherd Bill & Bonnie Wells Faye & Britt Smith ...... Ms . Drew Gibbons Helen J . Spence Marvin & Peggy McGhee ...... Burrell A . McGhee Joy Sylvester-Johnson ...... Matt & Colleen Doyle Hunter & Leslie Smith Gene Parr ...... Paula Vail Wayne Johnson Caryl Solomon John Parrott ...... Mrs . James Robert Justice Dr . & Mrs . Albert Peverall, Jr . Ellyson Spickard Clarence Peery ...... Karen S . Carter Mary Ann Toler ...... Gail B . Browning Jane Inge Wallace Lizzie M . Perdue ...... Pet & Margie Craghead Julia M . Tutka ...... Richard Smith Harry E . Campbell, Sr ...... James L . Campbell Barbara Rakovec ...... Dorothy D . Thomas Terry Wilkinson ...... Dr . & Mrs . Tom Mitoraj Carl Stanley Cross ...... The Ammen Family Karen Roberson ...... David Hankins Dani & Shen Zhang ...... Bill & Barbara Rousis Hannah Raque-Fox & Ed Fox Marie Hoback The Rescue Mission Staff ...... Diane Goode Mr . & Mrs . Thomas O . Goodson Ms . Rookover ...... Cave Spring Baptist Church Adult Jesus Christ ...... Cory Purcell Dr . & Mrs . Richard M . Newton Singles Class Yehovah our God ...... Christopher Murphy Thanksgiving in February?

It was the Rescue Mission’s day of thanksgiving for our volunteers who give so much! In 2016, about 5000 volunteers contributed nearly 90,000 hours of service to the Mission. We couldn’t do it without you! The following volunteers received special recognition last month on Volunteer Appreciation Day: Most Enthusiastic Groups ...... REACH & Ignite (Food Services) Most Organized ...... Dave Jones (Pantry & Manna) Night Owl Volunteer ...... Gary Roth (Men’s Shelter) Largest Group ...... Wells Fargo (DRC) Most Confused as Staff ...... Joyce McGuire (THRIFT 460) Bling Queen ...... Nancy Weekly (2nd helpings Shop & Gallery) The Most Patience for Patients ...... Patrice & Rodney Smelser (Clinic) Most Faithful ...... Jonathan Brown (Recovery) Most Versatile Speaker ...... Steven Hinton (Chapel) One to Trust If You Get Stuck in a Pinch ...... Sandi Fink (Reception) Most Humorous ...... Kyle Edgell (Admin) Best Volunteer Recruiter ...... Kevin Spencer (Development) Rescue Mission volunteers were ‘given a hand’ at the annual Most Creative ...... Laura Richards (The Network) Volunteer Appreciation Event. Over 5,000 volunteers gave Create His Own Volunteer Activity . . .Kenneth Walker (Special Recognition) over 80,000 hours in 2016. Mission Angel ...... Tom & Grace Mercer (Special Recognition) 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 from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Transport Drivers for the Mission Like to drive? Know the city? The Mission could use your services to transport guests and pick up donations. Recovery • Tutors are needed who are versatile enough to tutor in basic math and grammar (extremely basic - especially for learning disabled). Days or evenings. • People who are interested in leading classes in grammar, literature, or math - including higher level classes. Dawn Haigler operates a forklift in the pantry on her Mission Days or evenings. service assignment Distribution and Recycling Center (DRC) • Process and tag donated items, From Chaos to Calm Monday - Wednesday & Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm; Thursday, 9:30 am - 5:00 pm; “Drama, craziness, chaos all the time. That was my life.” Friday, 9:00 am - 3:30 pm. (must be age 14 or older) Dawn Haigler doesn’t mince words about her life before entering Retail Volunteers (460 Thrift Store) the Rescue Mission Recovery Program in January of 2016. • Help sort, process, merchandise & bag donations. Monday - Saturday, 9:00 - 12:00 noon or 1:00 - 4:00 pm. “I basically went off the deep end,” she says. “I lost my husband and my Kitchen Volunteers daughter when they ran off together seven years ago. He had been • Breakfast from 5:30 pm - 8:00 am daily her dad since she was five years old. I was completely devastated, • Morning Food Prep from 8:00 am - 11:00 am daily and then around the same time my dad died. I had been addicted • Lunch on Monday - Saturday from 11:00 am - 2:30 pm to drugs most of my life, but that’s when I really lost it.” • Afternoon Food Prep from 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm daily • Dinner from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm daily Haigler says she began stealing video games and electronics from Bless My Sole Ministry retail stores and selling them online to pay the bills and support Every 3rd Thursday of each month from 4:45 pm -7:30pm. her addiction. When she was arrested, the judge ordered her to Great for Sunday School Class or small group! the Recovery Program. To Volunteer Please Contact our Volunteer Manager at “This place was a hard transition for me,” she admits. “I was someone 540-777-7651 or [email protected] who was always angry, just nasty, and I could cuss you out in a Not sure how you can help or want to learn more about our second. Here, people were nice to me. I had never in my life expe- services? Join us for a tour of the Rescue Mission any Monday rienced unconditional love. I only knew people to be nice to you if at noon starting in the reception lobby at 402 4th Street SE. they wanted something from you.”

After a rocky start, Haigler says the turning point came last April when she began attending Grace Community Fellowship Church. “I walked through the door and instantly felt at home. I fought God so hard for so long, but I finally surrendered. I just felt it in my soul, such peace.”

Haigler expects to graduate from the program this month. At 48, she is a mother of six and grandmother of 11. She hopes they will see her positive changes and the peace and calm in her life and want it for themselves. In the meantime, she’s finally excited for a future of her own.

“I’m so thankful to the Mission for not giving up on me. I would love to finish Bible college,” she says. “I have 20 credits under my belt. I know the Lord has something in store for me and I’m willing Elevation Church-Downtown surprised CEO Lee Clark with a $35,000 to go on any path he leads.” check for the Mission during their worship service on Feb. 12 The Hidden Valley High School DECA Club 21 students and 6 teachers from Springhouse Staff from Stonemark Management collected over 600 canned food items for Community School, Floyd, VA served at the volunteered in Food Services & DRC Manna Mission Ministry DRC and our Food Services Ministry

Students from Parkway Christian Academy Members of the Va Tech Dietetic Interns of Great Vision Baptist Church served as part of volunteered in Food Services Blacksburg, VA volunteered in Food Services the Brunch Team

Students from the Jefferson College of Health Members of the Junior League of Roanoke Valley painted and redecorated the kids’ Reading Room Sciences volunteered in food services in the Women and Children’s Center and also worked in the DRC as part of a Done-In-A-Day Project

Wish List Meals and More These numbers represent lives changed through God’s • Personal/Canteen Items: Body Lotion, Ladies Shaving blessings and your generosity! Cream, Qtips, Hair Spray, Gels, Mousse, Makeup, January 2017 Alcohol-free Mouthwash, Tissues, Deodorant Meals served 20,672 (mens & womens) Shelter nights 7,537 • Maintenance: Philips LED Bulbs 14.5W Soft White Clothing items provided 2,300 1500 lumens (100W Equiv), Push Mower, Riding Mower, Professions of faith 545 Dremel Tool Volunteer hours 6,817 Class hours of instruction 2,055 • Housekeeping: Dishwashing Liquid, Liquid Soap Clinic patient visits 807 Value of healthcare provided $227,741 • Clinic: Weekly Pill Boxes Case management encounters 296 • Manna Mission Ministry: Cases of Water, Canned Meat, Recycled Items (pounds) 127,211 Canned Vegetables, Canned Fruit, Cereal, Coffee Manna households served 421 Tour participants 40 The Rescue Mission is an equal opportunity provider