WITHOUT THE RAIN, THERE IS NO RAINBOW

BBooaarrdd ooff DDiirreeccttoorrss

Mark Morris, President Bryan Selander, Vice President Laurie Cook, Secretary Marla Gregory, Treasurer Bobbi Marks-Cooper Dee Lacny, Executive Director

How many of you have had one of those days…you head out for the day to get your morning coffee and BAM!...you spilled it all over your lap. You need to get to your first appointment but it feels like slow motion because your are stuck behind every car that is going 10 under the speed limit. So to take your mind off the traffic, you decide to take a minute and check out the news. Hysteria! The coronavirus breakout is rapidly spreading. The upcoming election verbiage is getting heated. You decide to switch to the local news and hear the recent report on gun violence and burglaries in the area. You sigh and take a deep breath. When you have days like this, where one thing after another is happening, you wonder if there is anything positive for that day?

That is the way it felt one Wednesday evening during our programming. Kids came in cranky. Some were fighting with each other. The health department came in for their yearly inspection. Volunteers called in sick. To top it off, teachers had to send kids out of their classrooms because the kids were making teaching an unreachable goal. It was one of those days.

One of the boys I had already spoken to multiple times was now back in his classroom, but not for long… here he comes again. As I was speaking with him for the third time that evening, I felt as though there was nothing that would make this situation better. He was kicking other kids, jumping from place to place and would not listen to anything the teacher asked.

I threw up an arrow prayer asking for wisdom.

I was frustrated and feeling as though this night just needed to be over, when suddenly it happened. As the boy and I were talking, trying to find some common ground, he noticed our cart of books in the room. He began to tell me of the books he had at home. He said he was going to bring one of his books from home to put it on the cart to share. I told him how thoughtful that was and suggested he take some of the books home from the cart. I let him know he could either keep the books he takes, or he could use it like a library and continue to trade books back and forth. He liked that idea. I went to get him a special “Rock House Kids book backpack” to put his books in. By the time I returned, he had six books picked out.

He pulled out a book titled, “Adam and Eve”. He asked me if I knew that Adam and Eve were the first people “birthed” on earth. He proceeded to tell me he knew this because he read it in his Bible, and he was on the last pages of his Bible.

This gave me an idea. I told him I had to check on something. I went into our second grade room where we have Bibles. When I came back, I handed the Bible to him and told him he may have it. He looked up at me in shock. His little eyes began to water. He asked, “Is this really for me to keep?” I said, “Absolutely”. With that, he came around the table and gave me such a big hug and told me he loved me. This little guy was having a rough day and just needed a little extra attention.

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TTHHEE HHOOTT LLIISSTT We currently need:

CClloorrooxx WWiippeess

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and have items shipped right to us.

TTHHAANNKK YYOOUU!!

Compassion Around the Corner

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Director’s Letter, 1 & 2 Volunteer Spotlight, 3 4th Quarter Donor List, 3 & 4

YYEESS!! II wwaanntt ttoo hheellpp RRoocckk HHoouussee KKiiddss!!

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PPlleeaassee mmaaiill ttoo:: Rock House Kids 1325 7th St. Rockford, IL 61104

TThhaannkk yyoouu!!

WITHOUT THE RAIN, THERE IS NO RAIN-Thinking about his night spurs me on in the hard times. This is just one of my stories, but if you were to speak to any of our numerous volunteers, I guarantee you will hear more testimonials.

Volunteer appreciation week is April 19th through April 25th. This is a very important week at Rock House Kids. The volunteers are the reason our doors open over four times a week to 250 inner-city children to come into our building to have a safe place to hang out.

Because of the volunteers we can feed the children hot meals. Because of the volunteers, children are given hats, gloves, scarves, coats, boots, hygiene products, food bags to take home, and so much more. Because of the volunteers, the children have consistency when they come to Rock House Kids. They know their teacher is going to be in their classroom. Because of the volunteers, children who would not nor-mally be able to come to Rock House Kids, are picked up in the vans.

Thank you to ALL the volunteers who have had their hand touch a child. Whether it was by stuffing envelopes so the kid’s stories could be told, classroom mentors, kitchen servers, behind the scenes, or being a member of our Board of Directors, we thank you.

Dee Lacny, Executive Director

Please join us as we pray for God’s heart of love and mercy to shine down on us as we face the challenges posed by the new coronavirus. As hard as it might be, try not to be afraid; “As He has not given us the spirit of fear, but of

power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Going forward, pray for wisdom for all those in authority, for our protection over our world and our loved ones, and for

peace as we endure this “temporary” new normal in our lives.

PPRRAAYYEERRSS DDUURRIINNGG CCOOVVIIDD--1199

VVOOLLUUNNTTEEEERR SSPPOOTTLLIIGGHHTT:: JJaayyee BBaaeerr

TTHHAANNKK YYOOUU 44TTHH QQUUAARRTTEERR DDOONNOORRSS

Mrs. Jaye Baer has recently returned to us as a volunteer in the 3rd grade classroom. She was originally drawn to Rock House Kids six years ago when, “she felt the Lord told her to come”. Jaye is a retired Christian school teacher, graduating from Western Illinois University where she majored in Elementary Education and minored in Art.

Her favorite part about being a RHK volunteer is seeing kids saved. One of her bright shining stars, “Devon”, is a confident, bold prayer warrior that likes to join the teachers and children when they meet for prayer after dinner. “I am impressed with his heart for the Lord. What a delight he is! When we sing in chapel, “Devon” sings above the others. In the classroom he is outstanding in his artwork and reading. With his energy and ability, I know he will go far in life!”

Besides volunteering at Rock House Kids on Monday and Wednesday nights, Jaye enjoys crocheting and sewing. She loves to worship the Lord through dance, and has a passion to serve. She has one son who is a professor at Rock Valley College and a grand kitty. If you would be interested in volunteering with us, please contact our office or go online and complete an application.

AAA Molybdenum Products, Inc. Abundant Grace Church - Rockford Affordable Insurance & Tax, Inc. Al and Sue Cowan Alicia Goral American Lombardi Society Amy Smart Andrew and Luanne Mosca Angela L. Wisch Angela L. Kneller Angela Mitchell Anita Papich Anne (Anne Marie) Hall Anthony and Jeanne Garigliano Baileyville Reformed Church Barbara Rosenbalm Beef-A-Roo, Inc. - N. Alpine Believers Bible Chapel Beth Eden United Methodist Church Beth Shadur Bethany Presbyterian Church Bethany Tennison Bethesda Covenant Church Betty Alexander Betty Ann Hallen Betty Light Betty Magee Bill and Carole Anderson Bill Cullen Bob and Dixie Jonas Brad & Georgann Gummow Brad and Toni Vander Heyden Brenda Niedermeier Brian and Lisa Key Brian and Mary Flynn Brian and Patricia Blair Brooke Road United Methodist Carl and Karen Winsett Carol Swenson Caroline Johnson Central Christian Church Charles and Allison Hawkins Cheryl Carlson Cheryl Lemke Child Initiative International

Christ United Methodist Church Christ United Methodist Women Christine M. Heneger Christopher & Jodi Erickson Christopher Peterson & Joanne Bonavia Cindy Beyer-Rienhardt Collins Aerospace Community Foundation of Northern Illinois Cornerstone Family Church - Byron Curtis and Norma Freeberg Dakota United Methodist Church Dallas and Tina Lawson Daniel McLevige Darryl and Marsha Johnson Daryl and Judith Prisby Dave & Judy Koch Family Fund Dave and Jill Trollop Dave and Vickie Kieffer David & Peggy Babb David and Barbara Kohl David and Jamie Hoffman David and Leslie Moore David and Rebecca Poirier David Baxter David Edmundson David Knoblock Dean and Kathy Thomas Deborah Burchett Dennis and Bonnie Cash Dennis and Cheryl Henry Dennis and Darlene Alderman Dennis and Joanne Blunt Dennis and Judith Thorn Dennis and Lois Johnson Dennis and Sharon Peterson Diane E. Knopp Diane Weeks Dolores Deitrick Don and Diana Hughes Don and Vickie Anderson Donald and Judith McCanse Donald and Kathleen Walker Donald Wiggs Donna Getty Donna Hughes

Donna Olszewski Doris Vestal Dorothy Stephanson Douglas and Heather Pixler Duane Seymour Durand United Methodist Church Ebenezer Baptist Church Edward and Kelly Handschuh Elaine Malloy Elizabeth Hoelting Ellen A. Slick Ellen Selin Eric and Brittney Bergstrom Eric and Le Ann Peterson Erlene Martin Eunice Fry Faith Hanson First Baptist Church - Deer Lodge First Congregational Community Church First Evangelical Covenant Church Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory Ltd Five Below, Inc. Five Forks Market Forest City Fellowship Forest City Rod & Gun Club Fran Knutson Frank Campbell Freedom Through The Word Church Gail McGraw Gary & Sheila Kordash Gary Kuhls George and Shirlee Famighette Gerald and Diana Ogren Gerald and Patricia Davis Weber Ginafe M. Sasan Ginette DeRive and Andre Charette Glenn and Luann McGary Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Gloria Jahn Gordon and Maureen Murphy Greg and Christy Moore Greg and Judy McQueary Greg and Pamela Parsons Greta Berglund Guilford Hope Grange #6

Guy Reno Family Foundation H. D. Estes Hazel Moore Heather Garrison Helping Kids and Families Fund Holly Wirth Homer and Karen Troy Homewood-Flossmoor High School Hope Brannon IKON Electric Ila Barton J L Clark J. Carlson Growers Inc. Jack and Ellen Cress Jack and Nancy Kubitz Jackie Wilson Jade Rockford LLC DBA Culver's James and Brynn Johnson James and Jennie Parrott James and Joan Hocker James and Maribeth Peterson James and Rita Gillette James and Shirley Waddell James and Stephanie Waddell James Olejarski & Michele Holtzhauer James Peterson Jan Fromm Jane Eesley Jane Malone Janet Sumpter Jason & Alexandra Backus Jean Cozart Jean Heise Jeanne C. Larson Jeffrey D. Nelson Jeffrey D. Swanson Jennifer Bunjes Jennifer Dunlap Jerome and Gail Daleiden Jerry and Jackie Rudolph Jerry and Nancy McDowell Jill Bonavia Jill Peterson Jim and Mary L. Warwick Joanne Henry

TTHHAANNKK YYOOUU 44TTHH QQUUAARRTTEERR DDOONNOORRSS

Thank you to all of our monetary donors who

gave during 11-30-19 to 2-29-20.

Your generosity is truly appreciated!

Joanne Reynolds Joel Ross John & Beth Johnson John & Kay Blake John and Dena Koehler John and Jane Sohner John and Jean Royalty John and Kathryn Heisel John and Pat Buehrle John Dorsey John Dotzel John Hallock John Irving and Cynthia Garner Jon and Marilyn Schwartz Joseph and Kathryn Guzzardo Joyce Lantz Judith Greef Judith L. Puckett Judith Letourneau Judy Mitchell Julie Hove Julie Platt Julie Voss Karen Axley Karen Bieschke Karen Harter Karen Massetti Karen St. John Karen Wade Karen Weiss Karen Yakel Kathryn Brobst Kathryn Bryant Kathryn Conrad Kathy Lonergan Keenan and Janell Lewellen Kelly S. Miller Ken and Mary McGinn Kenneth and Janice Hense Kevin & Monna Bergdall Kevin Howley Kilburn Avenue United Bretheren Church Kristin L. Anderson Charitable Foundation Kyle and Margo Stedman Larry and Suzanne Hopps Laura Cernick Lawrence and Carolyn Carlson Lawrence H. and Marcia E. Larson Leonard and Susan Payne Leroy and Judith Layng Lesya L. Kozlovsky Lillian Vola Linda Rock Lisa Day Lou and Jean Rossi Luther Ctr. Sunday Night Worship Group M.W. and Ann M. Ingram Marc and Nanci Soriano Marcia Fry Marcia Johnson Marcy Wiebe Margaret LaForge Margaret Reed Marian Strand

Marjorie Anders Mark and Patricia Kolb Mark J. Grove Mark Kolloway Mark Quast Mary A. McBride Mary Hanford Mary Hutchins Mary M. Urbelis Mary Price Mary Van Camp Matthew Macek Melynda Schutz Michael and Jessica St. Angel Michael and Jodi Amans Michael and Sharon Kohlstedt Michael and Vicci Gartner Michael Seuring Michelle Dollak Miguel and Tammy Scharff Monika Doumen Moriah Hill Morning West Mosaic Rockford - Blue Youth Group Nadia Stenulson Nancy Hoffman and Robert Carlson Nancy Smith Nick and Margo Licari Northern Illinois Corvette Club Our Savior's Lutheran Church Palmwood Neighborhood Association Pamela Rossmiller Patricia Ellison Patricia Paden Murawski Patricia Tumilowicz Patrick and Pamela Whitaker Paul and Gretchen Anderson Paul and Joan Sawyer Paul Toboldt Peak Fitness Inc. Peggy Marie Nuelle Peter & Patricia Erickson Philip and Linda M. Herra Phillip and Beverly Knowles Plug & Pellet Sportsman Club Poplar Grove United Methodist Church Powertrain Rockford Inc. Presence Saint Anne Center Ralph and Barbara Seaworth Ralph Baudhuin Randy and Carri Smith Ray and Sally Cantwell Raymond & Mary Jane Kellermann RE/MAX Property Source - Rockford Rebecca L. Miceli Rene' Escalante Richard Alpiser Richard and Cheryl Leach Richard and Cynthia Hoover Richard and Deborah Gortowski Richard and Rebecca McCanse Richard Nelson Rick and Michelle Sager Robert and Helen Williams

Robert and Judy Gard Robert and Kristine Tukker Robert and Nadine Hallstrom Robert and Pamela Kieper Robert and Sheila Wilt Robert and Sheri Benka Robert Estrada Robert L. Kantner Robert McPhee Robert White Rock River Harley Owners Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Rockford BOE Retired Secretaries Association Rockford United General Baptist Church Rocktown Adventures LLC Rodney and Gail Brady Roger and Bette McDougall Roger and Patrice Breeland Roger O. Dietrich Romayne and Marlene Little Ron and Rae Ann Johnson Ronald & Carol Burmeister Ronald and Eileen Oldejans Ronald and Fran Grenert Roscoe United Methodist Church Roscoe United Methodist Church Rose Bohn Rotary Club of Byron Ruth Ann Bloom Ryan Freeberg Sandi Chamberlin Sandra Kelly Schoening Painting and Decorating, Inc. Scott and Karen Davis Scotts RV, Truck and Auto Repair, Inc. Servpro of Rockford Shannan Rose Sharon Aebersold Sharon Bielefeldt Sharon Larson Shawn and Kathy Way Sheldon Weiss Shirley Poggioli St. Anskar's Episcopal Church St. John's Lutheran Church - Lena St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church Stanley McCord Stanley Premo Stephen and Leisa Naff Stephen and Melissa Lewis Steve and Barb Schilling Steve and Jennifer Zellers Steven and Cyree Hornbeck Steven C. Patterson Steven Schwartz Susan Eissens Tammy Lewis Ted and Phyllis Holm Temple Beth-El Terry and Brenda Buzzard The Connection The Goddard Family Foundation The Grove Fellowship The Master's Hand Inc.

Thelma Coates Theon and Latisha Washington Third Presbyterian Church Thom Frehse Thomas and Debra Leatherby Thomas and Jill Becker Thomas and Jill Weingartner Thomas and Kathleen Pozzi Tim Fetters Roofing, LLC Tim Theden Timothy and Janet Keating Timothy and Julie Fetters Timothy and Mary Sather Timothy Butler Tina Marie Jacobson TLC Construction Todd and Donna Wellens Todd Chaffin Todd Schmitt Torrence & Roberta Edwards Tracey and Kim Garst Trent Johnson TRENTEC, INC Troy and Betsy Lee UnitedHealth Group Valerie Anderson Vincent and Ericka Sheely Viola Scadden Virginia Hamlett Virginia Harting Virginia Livingstone Virginia Mullin Virginia Sharp W. Kyle & Colette Anderson Warren and Connie McGhee Wayne and Chrissy Daring Wayne and Glenda Wells Wayne Prindiville Wendell and Denise Webb Westminster Presbyterian Church William & Bette Cvitanovich William & Christine G. Aupperle William and Janet Sullivan Williams Tree Farm Willow Creek Skiffers Woodward Retirees' Breakfast Youngberg Industries Inc. Yvonne E. Harper