I am Blessed By C. Lee Clark, Rescue Mission CEO

“I am blessed” might not be the expected response from someone who has lost their home. Yet on this night in the main lobby of the Fralin Free Clinic as a volunteer keyboardist played hymns softly in the background, we heard these words over and over. Bless My Sole is a long-standing ministry of the Rescue Mission where volunteers wash feet, provide lotion and new socks for men and women experiencing homelessness and addiction. Most of all the volunteers listen and engage people in conversation. RNs and other medical professionals are on hand to assess foot health, cut nails and provide care as needed. People leave feeling loved and encouraged, especially the volunteers. I know my wife and I did.

The stories we heard were powerful. One young woman, now in her thirties came to the Mission directly from jail. She had it all, a college education, family and friends. Things spiraled out of control after an accident changed her life, eventually leading to jail time. Today she is working with a case manager on getting a job and a volunteer attorney to help her regain custody of her child. Another man served our country in active duty. As a veteran, he receives services at the VA Medical Center, is on medical disability and is coming out of an abusive relationship. He loves to sing and as we listened to the music we laughed together as we named the tunes. Another lady in her seventies came to the Mission after losing her housing due to a dispute with another renter. She struggles with debilitating medical issues and is saving toward getting into her own place.

Linked together by loss of stability, each of these men and women expressed gratitude. Volunteers

prayed with each person, naming specific concerns and blessings shared in this sacred time. Bound by the constraints of poverty, addiction or mental and physical health challenges, these resilient children of God showed peace and love not always seen in the lives of more privileged brothers and sisters.

Their life stories are real, true and at times overwhelming to hear. To see the transformative power of Christ in these lives is humbling and inspiring. If this person who has little, can praise God and walk by faith, how much more can we who have much!

We are all experiencing constraints these days. We wear masks and keep distance to prevent the spread of disease. We carefully weigh our presence in places where crowds might gather. Organizations like the Rescue Mission and local churches have adjusted to minister, not less than or even the same as always, but more, multiplied by new approaches. We seek to not lose the good of the old ways while we embrace opportunities that these constraints require. As a result, there is even greater impact for good.

We long for our days to return to “normal” and the safety of old routines. At the same time, there is a still small voice telling us that things will never go back. Yes, we will put aside masks and be able to give hugs and handshakes again but we will continue to use technology in new ways. The urgent anxiety we are feeling now may subside, but here at the Rescue Mission we will be dealing with the fallout of increased mental illness, substance abuse disorder and economic loss for years to come.

2020 Impact year to date

101,569 Meals served

48,294 Nights of safe shelter

15,060ClothiNg & furNiture help

1,137 faith eNCouNters

28,138 voluNteer hours

8,745 hours of life, Job & reCovery skills traiNiNg

7,411 CliNiC patieNt eNCouNters

$1,759,168 value of healthCare provided

1,649 Case MaNageMeNt & reCovery support visits

686,104 reCyCliNg (pouNds)

$44,268 reCyCliNg reveNue

3,068 MaNNa food boxes distributed

830,068food doNatioNs (pouNds)

ThE

REScUEmISSION

OF ROANOKE

SINCE 1948

November 2020

NEwSlEttER

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

Continued on back page

November 1–30Virtual 5K and 8K – Run anywhere, anytime

2020 Move Your Feet So otherS Can eat!

DASHDRUMSTICK

HOW IT WORKS: 1. Sign up to secure your spot 2. Pick up your packet at one of our Packet pick up locations. Or receive your packet in the mail. 3. Complete your run or walk

You can run, walk, skip, or jog the 3.1 miles anytime between November 1-30. The best part of this is you can choose the best day to run. Beautiful weather? Run that day. Like walking in the rain? Do your thing.

Sign up now at DrumstickDASH.net

Some perks include...

Media SponSoR

Drumstick Dash 2020 is Virtual this Year Since 2006, the DASH has been a staple of fundraising for the Rescue Mission. It has gone from an event of about 1,500 people to an event of 10,000. It has gone from being an event that raised some of the the money we needed for our food services department to raising all of the money we need for our food services. Every. Single. Penny. We take your registration from the race and put it towards rebirth.

What we mean by rebirth is this…The DASH is so much more than one meal. It is an opportunity to provide opportunity. When someone comes to the Rescue Mission for one meal, we talk with them. Ask them where they are staying, where their next meal is coming from, if they need medical care, and if they would like to talk with a Case Worker. We do this because we know how important every bit of help is for each person who comes in our doors.

The Drumstick DASH has had to make a few adjustments this year. With COVID-19 we have decided to move to a virtual race format. This wasn’t easy, but when we talked with the experts, we knew it was necessary.

What will a virtual race format look like?

It’s pretty awesome.

You can sign up for the Drumstick DASH to walk or run. This can be done any time between November 1st and 30th. By using the RaceJoy app you will be able to track your time, distance and upload your results to the Drumstick DASH page. You can also choose to do either the 5k OR the 8k race. We have never done an 8k before and we are so excited to offer it. Also, you can run the 8k for the same price as the 5k! (Pretty awesome, huh?)

On top of a new race we have high performance t-shirts that come with registration. You

know those awesome wicking t shirts? That’s what you’ll get.

For the runners, you’ll get a finishers medal! Once again, this is something we have never done and are so excited to offer!

And don’t you think we forgot the dogs! We are happy to announce that you can purchase a dog collar charm for your pupper that will make them the envy of the dog park.

We encourage all to take advantage of our local packet pick up or have their packet mailed if they prefer no contact service.

If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Berry at kevin.berry@rescuemission.net or (540) 777-7683.

We hope to see you all virtually DASHing in the month of November!

3425 Orange Ave(540) 904-5012

S H O P & G A L L e R Y

1502 Williamson Rd (540) 491-9405

100% of the profits from 2nd helpings and THRIFT go to provide Hope, Health, and Healing for families in shelter

November 9-1410Am-5Pm

HolidaysHoMe foR THe

SALe

The Home Depot Foundation donated a washer, dryer and two reach in freezers

Please return your unwrapped gift to the Rescue mission by monday,

December 14. Donations are accepted everyday from 7:00 am - 9:00 pm in the

main Lobby: 402 4th St. Se, Roanoke, VA 24013 & online at

rescuemission.net | (540) 343-7227

Rescue mission Shelter Bedtime GiftTwin Size Sheet Set, Bath Towel & Washcloth

Child/Teen Shelter Guest GiftUnderwear, Socks, Pajamas in larger child and teen sizes

Adult Shelter Guest Gift (man or Woman)Gloves, Hat or Headband, 2 Pairs of Heavy Socks, Chapstick, Small Lotion or Baby Powder, $5 McDonald’s or Hardee’s gift card

Rescue mission Shelter Toiletries GiftDeodorant, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Comb, Lotion, Shampoo, Disposable Razors, Chapstick

Program Participant Gift (man or Woman)2 Pairs of Heavy Socks, Gloves, Hat or Headband, $5 McDonald’s or Hardees gift card

Christmas Gifts 2020

IN memORY OF GIVeN BY Libby Abbott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caudel N. AbbottJim Altizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elizabeth RidleyNancy L. Apgar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. & Mrs. Jonathan M. ApgarWayne & Clara Armstrong . . . . . . . . . . Linda A. PerdueEleni (Helen) Asimakopoulos. . . . . . . . Harvey R. Turner, IIILynn Avis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May JusticePete & Chris Bain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John & Bonnie DunnSusan Bamford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas BamfordSusan Bamford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas BamfordRandell Barger. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Erika BrickeyAdda Beamguard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Melanie L. HarrisFrances M. Blankenship . . . . . . . . . . . . . Betty Jo M. TuckDr. Joseph A. Bono. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James K. GruverDr. Joseph A. Bono. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Edith & Karl MillerDr. Joseph A. Bono. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vedii & Judy AyyildizDr. Joseph A. Bono. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. & Mrs. Gene A. GodwinDr. Joseph A. Bono. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill & Adele EliasDr. Joseph A. Bono. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dana R. HolohanDr. Joseph A. Bono. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. & Mrs. Louis M. NewtonDr. Joseph A. Bono. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alice & Bill HarrisDr. Joseph A. Bono. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wallace E. MartinDr. Joseph A. Bono. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert (Bob) FetzerDr. Joseph A. Bono. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. A. Sidney BarrittMomma - Peggy Booth . . . . . . . . . . . . . Susan L. BoothCarl & Sarah Bradford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gary & Sandra BradfordAlberta Brammer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Debby & Larry GibsonJonathan Edward Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . Lori BuynochRoger L. Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. & Mrs. Daniel HudsonRoger L. Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wendy C. GilbertRoger L. Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gene ProehlBilly Caldwell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. Carol BurrussHarry E. Campbell, Sr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James L. CampbellMable Cochran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paula P. VailBetty Sue Cunningham . . . . . . . . . . . . . May JusticeBetty Sue Cunningham . . . . . . . . . . . . . Flo FahrbachCerelia Eastridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Winton W. Shelor, Jr. Benjamin Emerson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert A. EmersonPastor Olander (Red) English . . . . . . . . Wayne & Nancy McGuireRobert Wayne English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wayne & Nancy McGuireDon & Ina Fitzgerald . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jueffrey E. FitzgeraldChris Fowler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frances KastlerGeraldine Meek Gallagher . . . . . . . . . . Charlotte & John EnglebyIris Gibson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Debby & Larry GibsonJudy Gorham. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Perry GorhamCecil Guilliams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ayles MabreyJohn & Patricia Guzi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry GuziMinister Norman Hackley, Jr. . . . . . . . . Mary E. HackleyEugene T. Hassler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Sands FamilyMargaret “Peggy” Hatch. . . . . . . . . . . . . Will and Donna RossEmily Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May JusticeGus & Lois Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joy Sylvester-JohnsonPeter Jones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Doug & Michelle RoushBob & Doris Kinzie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gary & Sandra Bradford

IN memORY OF GIVeN BY Rachelle Koudelik-Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . Dorothy C. EllerKevin & Rita Krantz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glenn ReedNeita Kraus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Betty Janell LovePearl T. Layman of Dale Avenue . . . . . Randy & Mary Beth LaymanDorothy Fretz Leonard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heywood & Cynthia FralinDorothy Fretz Leonard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Judith HerrinGenetta H. Lewis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Freddie & Carolyn WhittakerGenetta H. Lewis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Teresa P. GloverBrenda Lilly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wayne GrahamHarry Messimer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glenn & June Obenshain & Peggy WuerglerEdward Meyers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ms. Betty HeptinstallSidney Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May JusticeGloria Moran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paula P. VailJenny & Bob Nash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Hitchins, Jr.Robert Perry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carol W. JensonBeth Pettrey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Earl PettreyBetsy Richards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mildred & John BanksRosalie Robertson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charles M. Robertson, Jr. Winton Shelor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Winton W. Shelor, Jr. Raymond A. Simmons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs. Joyce S. SimmonsHusband Howard Sink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dorothy P. SinkPat Smith. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sonny Smith Erica Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eric & Robin ThomasEffie Thompson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James E. ThompsonOscar Gerald Thornsbury . . . . . . . . . . . Ron & Connie Callahan Oscar Gerald Thornsbury . . . . . . . . . . . Enola MabryOscar Gerald Thornsbury . . . . . . . . . . . Doug & Barbara MooreHoward E. & Dorothy K. Tuttle . . . . . . . William TuttleCharles “Chip” Vale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J.P. & Kathy SmithEarl Walker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Calvin & Lois WalkerGerry Willis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paula P. VailGerry Willis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. M. Kemper & M. Janes HumphriesShirley Wynn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lois Sue HashDan Zuro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lynnette MartinBrothers & Sisters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wayne & Nancy McGuire

IN HONOR OF GIVeN BYLee Clark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ms. Annette LewisBroaddus & LuAnn Fitzpatrick . . . . . . . Bradley A. DanielBen Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pat JonesBruce Muncy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ken BriggsJ. Noell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Edwin L. NoellMrs. Paul Powell, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. & Mrs. James A. RobertsonPam Renga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brunhilde I. SpitzDavid Robertson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carrie ShaverMy Redeemer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julie OwenOur Lord Jesus Christ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diana S. WiseThrasher United Methodist Church . . . Suzanne B. BellOklahoma State University. . . . . . . . . . Robert C. BarefieldFor all those that give there time & energy in support of the Mission . . . . Elizabeth BottomleyJesus Christ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cory Purcell

For Memory and Honor Gifts received September 15 through October 15To Remember and Honor, to Remember and Honor

In Memory & Honor of...

VOlUNtEER NEEdSServing Breakfast & clean Up 5:30 am - 8:30 am; daily

Serving lunch & clean Up 11:00 am - 2:00 pm; daily except sunday

Serving dinner & clean Up 4:15 pm - 7:30 pm; daily

preparing Groceries for later distribution 8:00 am - 11:00 am; tuesday only

Food distribution 7:30 am - 10:30 am; saturday only

to volunteer please go torescuemission.ivolunteer.comor contact us at Volunteer.info@rescuemission.netor call (540) 343-7227

Kickin’ It RAW served dinner that they cooked at the Mission. Not only that, but they packed snack bags and wrote notes to our guests.

Jennifer, owner of the Grandin Barbershop, provided our guests with haircuts, free of charge

Help a neighbor in need stay warm. Donate new or gently

used winter coats for men, Women, and Children of all sizes

Donate OCT 1 - JAN 31Coats will be collected at the Rescue Mission,

THRiFT 460, and 2nd Helpings

ThE

REScUEmISSION

OF ROANOKE

SINCE 1948

402 4th St. Se, Roanoke, VA (540) 343-7227

rescuemission.net

CoaTs for causEa

roanoKE

To see more pictures and to learn more about these events and more, check us out on

ImmeDIATe NeeDS• Naproxen• 7 Day Pill Organizers• Men and Women’s razors (Two Blades or More)• Deodorant (Spray or Trial Size)

• Men and Women’s Body Wash• Pillows• Women’s Underwear• Women’s Socks• Used Bubble Wrap (any size) and packing peanuts

Even as we “move our feet so others can eat” all during November, we are seeking creative, engaging ways to bring this community together in the common goal of providing hope and healing in Jesus’ Name. We pray you will join us. For 72 years, this Rescue Mission has been meeting critical needs. Today

we utilize the constraints we are experiencing to meet people where they are and we do it with love. In being the hands and feet of Christ, we humbly walk in faith, doing the next right thing God calls us to do. With your help and support, together with those we serve, we see God’s miracles of transformation.

There are currently more than 150 men, women and children finding hope and shelter at this Rescue Mission. Each has a life story of incredible value. Will you join us? Come hear the heartrending stories, experience the daily struggles of a hard life moving toward stability, and see God at work. You will never be the same.

I am Blessed Continued from front page

The Chase family did a community pancake mix drive for the kitchen

Sam Rasoul’s family donated some canned goods with money the kids had saved to spend on a local charity

Angela from Coke Consolidated donated 250 pairs of shower shoes for our guests

Call 540-343-7227 or email: natalie.kline@rescuemission.net

Adopt-A-Familyfor Christmas and provide gifts for the children in shelter.

Sponsor spots fill quickly. Contact Natalie today to be added to the list of potential sponsors!