Fall 2019 • Volume 55 • Issue 4

R O C K F O R D R E S C U E M I S S I O N

P.O. Box 1958 • 715 West State St. • Rockford, IL 61110 • 815-965-5332 • rockfordrescuemission.org • info@rockfordrescuemission.org Rockford Rescue Mission shares hope and help in Jesus’ name to move people from homelessness and despair toward personal and spiritual wholeness.

Read her heartwarming story on Page 5.

Twylla Wants to Thank You

Her heart is filled with thanksgiving because of God’s love and your generosity!

Dear Friend,

In September 1964, Rockford Rescue Mission was behind on rent and overextended on credit to local businesses. Founder Ray Stewart worried that he’d have to close, just four months after opening. To tell you what happened next, I’ll turn to our book, “Rescuing the Raggedy Man”:

One day, a woman came by the Mission carrying a brown paper bag. She handed it to Ray and said, “A friend of mine wants the Mission to have this.”

Ray looked in the bag. It was stuffed with twenty-dollar bills. Fifty of them, for a total of $1,000. That was enough for the Mission to catch up on payments and stay open.

We’ve never been exactly sure how that anonymous donor found out about the Mission’s need – maybe through a church, maybe through word of mouth. To this day, at the donor’s request, her identity has not been revealed publicly. But what became known as the Brown Bag Blessing kept the Mission alive at its most desperate hour.

In today’s dollars, the cash in that bag would be worth $8,200 – or 410 twenty-dollar bills.

The Brown Bag Blessing was just the first of countless surprise blessings. Throughout the Mission’s 55-year history, we have been overwhelmed by prayer and financial support from our community. As you may know, all of our funding comes via donations from

individuals, churches, businesses and organizations – friends who care for neighbors in need. We’ve never relied on government or United Way funding.

As we enter autumn, and a season of Thanksgiving, I want to express gratitude to our prayer partners, donors and volunteers. You are such a blessing to so many! Without your faithful generosity and support, the Mission would not exist. God works through His people. Thousands of men, women and children have found hope, healing and wholeness here in Jesus Christ.

I hope, this fall and always, we take time to reflect together on God’s goodness and thank Him for involving us all in His ultimate rescue mission.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

—Psalm 107:8-9

Partners in Hope, Sherry Pitney Executive Director

ReflectionsFROM THE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director Sherry Pitney with two Women’s Crisis Center guests giving thanks to the Lord while celebrating Thanksgiving.

The Brown Bag Blessing

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Food

129,211meals served

Advocacy

6,380total sessions

Shelter

39,930nights of lodging

MedicalCare

3,443clinic

appointments

Financial support from individuals, churches, businesses and organizations makes our programs and services possible. Your continued generosity truly blesses our ministry and those we serve.

SpiritualGuidance

1,237spiritualdecisions

Clothing & PersonalHygiene

185,936items distributed

Education& CareerAssistance

651 Works!

Center participants

How Your Gifts Are Changing Hearts & Lives

OCTOBER 2018 - JUNE 2019

The Brown Bag BlessingHistory of Thanksgiving

BE PART OF OUR

For as long as Rockford Rescue Mission has served our community, Thanksgiving dinner has been an annual highlight. In the Mission’s early days, Director G. O. Pitney’s many jobs included cooking the turkey for a special feast for the men.

Today, nearly 500 guests from the community typically join us for the Thanksgiving feast, which requires weeks of planning and about 90 volunteers. Thanksgiving is our most popular volunteer opportunity of the year, so sign up early!

Families and individuals: Please fill out our Volunteer Application at rockfordrescuemission.org (click the “Volunteer” link at the top of the webpage).To help by donating food: Watch our website for the October and November Needs Lists, which will list specific items.

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Perry Pitney Memorial Concert…

WHENFriday, November 1 • 7 p.m.

WHERERockford Rescue Mission

TICKETS$30 each – on sale now!

Bradley Walker

Featuring

MO PITNEY & BRADLEY WALKER

Mo Pitney

Luke Pitney opens!Visit rockfordrescuemission.org

or our Facebook page for ticket purchase information and additional concert details.

FAL19

Rockford Rescue MissionP.O. Box 1958Rockford, IL 61110-0458

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY / STATE/ ZIP

rockfordrescuemission.org 815-965-5332

CREDIT CARD #

EXP. DATE CIV/SEC#

PHONE #

EMAIL

DONATE NOW!

m $28 to provide one night of shelter, hot meals and life essentialsm $55 to provide one day of healing through the Life Recovery Programm $75 to provide education and life-skills trainingm $______ to help as much as possible

m CHECK ENCLOSED m BILL MY CREDIT CARD m m m m My Heart felt Thanksgiving Gift

FAADAFFTDDDTATDATFADTAFDFADDTAADFFTADDDFTTDDADTTTAATADTADTFAFDTFF

History of Thanksgiving

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With a Heart of Thanksgivingfor Our Donors

Executive Director Tour and Lunch • 11:15 a.m. Rockford Rescue Mission • 715 West State StreetTo reserve your place or for more details, call 815-965-5332.

Women of Hope • 7 p.m. Speaker: Thelma WellsTicket price: $20 pre-sale and $25 at the doorFirst Free Church • 2223 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61107Visit rockfordrescuemission.org for ticket information.

Perry Pitney Memorial ConcertSee page 3 for details.

Community Thanksgiving Banquet • Noon Rockford Rescue Mission • 715 West State Street

Community Christmas Banquet • NoonRockford Rescue Mission • 715 West State Street

SEPTEMBER 24Tuesday

NOVEMBER 1Friday

NOVEMBER 27Wednesday

DECEMBER 24Tuesday

SEPTEMBER 25OCTOBER 23

Wednesdays

MARK YOURCALENDAR!

Visit rockfordrescuemission.org for the latest information on these and other upcoming events.

We’re ever grateful for our dedicated and generous donors who share gifts of every kind. Recently, Shirley Bennett blessed us with two AEDs. Her donation was shared in memory of her late husband, Dr. John Bennett, a beloved member of our Council of Elders. Thank you, Shirley, for this life-saving gift!

There are many ways to share your compassion and support life-changing Mission programs during the holidays and beyond:

For more information, contact Ted Tomita at 815-965-5332 or tedtomita@rockfordrescuemission.org.

• – Visit smile.amazon.com when you shop online, and Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase price to Rockford Rescue Mission.

• Donor Advised Funds – This giving vehicle is one of the easiest and most tax-advantageous ways to give to a charity like Rockford Rescue Mission.

• Corporate Matching Donations – Inquire if your company matches employee gifts to the Mission. If so, your generosity is doubled!

Did you know?

• Required Minimum Distributions – If you are 70½ or older, you can transfer up to $100,000 to charity tax-free each year. The money counts as your required minimum distribution but isn’t included in your adjusted gross income.

• Thrivent Donations – If you are a Thrivent member, you may be eligible to recommend that Thrivent distribute a portion of its charitable funding to Rockford Rescue Mission.

Shirley Bennett (left) and Executive Director Sherry Pitney (right) pose for a photo of the AED gifts with a portrait of Dr. John Bennett.

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Twylla was familiar with the success of our Life Recovery Program. She’d heard about it many

times from women she’d met throughout her 33-year battle with alcohol abuse. “One of these days, that’s what I’m going to have to do,” she often told herself, but with little conviction. Finally, however, that day came… when her addiction threatened her life.

After drinking all day, she suffered a seizure and nearly died. At the hospital, her daughters rallied around her. When she was stable enough to return home, they encouraged her to go to the Mission instead. “Their intervention saved my life,” she says.

In our care, we helped her overcome the sense of isolation and insecurity she’d experienced since childhood. “I wasn’t raised by my parents, so I thought God didn’t love me,” she recalls. “I walked through life feeling totally alone.”

Through Bible studies and faith-based classes, she learned about God’s unconditional love, which is helping her heal from the wounds of her past. And she’s surrounded by staff and sisters in Christ who affirm her self-worth as a child of God. “Besides learning and growing and tackling my fears, I always have arms that are hugging me, whether they’re tangible or spiritual,” she says.

After graduating from our program in September 2019, Twylla moved into Mission transitional housing and is working a full-time job she loves. Through a contact she met at the Mission, she was hired as the kitchen manager at the Hampton Inn. She also hopes to return to NIU to complete her degree in music theory – a goal she gave up on when addiction ruled her life – and she is rekindling her passion for playing the steel drums.

Most important, she continues to strengthen her walk with the Lord. “I go to Bible study, I go to church and I surround myself with positive people.”

As for what her future holds, Twylla says with confidence, “I’m praying on it and trusting God. That’s all I do, and it feels good not to have to worry.”

Today, because of your generosity, Twylla’s heart is filled with Thanksgiving! “I’m grateful that I’ve learned to trust God, because then I don’t have to feel alone.”

I’m grateful that I’ve

learned totrust God.

“

”

“The fact that God loves me, that He sent Jesus to save me from my sins, that is the most awesome gift I could ever have gotten from anyone.”

We’re grateful for your gift today and

your continued support.

We’re Gratefulfor Our Volunteers!

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Long-time Mission volunteers Sue Pippo (on the left) and Anita Stanfill (on the right) were recognized for their service at a recent “Honor Your Own” breakfast hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Rockford Area Chapter. Standing in the middle is our Men’s Life Recovery Program Resident Advocate, Alice Sorenson. We’re grateful for the compassion and dedication of our volunteers!

Whether you’re serving a meal, tutoring in our Works! Center or mentoring a resident in recovery, you can make a positive impact in the life of a struggling neighbor. Each year, as many as 500 individuals share their time and talents as a Mission volunteer. To learn how you can serve, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@rockfordrescuemission.org or 815-965-5332, ext. 151.

As our fiscal year draws to a close on September 30, Rockford Rescue Mission’s demand for outreach continues to rise. The number of meals served has increased by 17% over the previous year and nights of lodging by 19%. The Mission is seeking community support to meet the growing need, finish the year strong and prepare for the months ahead.

“Our concern is not about the income itself, but about the assistance those funds enable us to provide for individuals who are homeless, for men and women battling addiction, and for all who are working hard to get back on their feet,” says Executive Director Sherry Pitney. This is also an especially critical time for the Mission as it prepares for its holiday outreach.

“We’re so grateful for this community’s support,” Pitney says, “and I’m confident that with the generosity of our friends and partners we can meet current and future needs for services.” If you can help, please share an extra gift today in the envelope provided, or give online at rockfordrescuemission.org.

How You Can Makea Difference, Too!

Please Help Finish the Fiscal Year Strong

The Joys of Retirement

Have you seen the viral photo dubbed “Success Kid”? Millions have viewed his image alongside phrases that illustrate daily successes, like “Does the laundry. Finds $5 in pants pocket.”

Maybe people love Success Kid because of that “job well done” feeling. Perhaps that’s also why many identify retirement as one of the happiest seasons of their lives. Here are three special sources of joy that make retirement shine:

1. The JOYS of travel. Traveling lets you experience fun and beauty.2. The JOYS of family. The sweetness of experiencing children and grandchildren is

unlike anything else.3. The JOYS of giving. Being able to bless a ministry like Rockford Rescue Mission that

is impacting lives provides a special kind of fulfillment.As you reflect on joy today, perhaps you feel a bit like David in Psalm 116:12 – “What

shall I return to the Lord for all His goodness to me?” Now is a great time to think about how you can fashion your future giving plans and retirement assets to maximize a blessing for your loved ones and the ministries you care about.

For the full version of this article, request a FREE copy of “3 Ways to Experience Joy in Retirement” by contacting Ted Tomita at 815-965-5332 or tedtomita@rockfordrescuemission.org. Or bless your

family today with a God-honoring will at christianwill.org/rrm.