"Drive Out Homelessness" A Great Success,
Raises $11,000!
A great night of fun was had by all at our Fall Fundraising Banquet on October 29.
The Reverse Raffle became very exciting as we got to the last 10 tickets and participants at the event tried to buy out each others' tickets. When it was down to two remaining tickets $7500 was offered to buy out the competing ticket and the offer was declined. When all was said and done, Danny Hewett had the winning ticket for the 2012 Chevy Cruze.
There were over 140 baskets to be bid on. On Friday two art collector paintings were donated, "Maternal Instincts" by Pino Daeni and "Elegant Evening at the Biltmore" by Thomas Kinkaid which became live auction items.
The 50/50 raffle raised $755, which Debra Fink had the winning ticket to receive $378.
A huge THANK YOU to our Auction sub-committee: Fran Little and Chad Hansen (Co-Chairs), Bill Alger, Karena Chrisler, Susan Clark, Yokasta Diaz, Lynn Hartley, Kay Justice, Terri Norman, Ed & Mary Skurka, Sonya Turner-Sledge, and Teresa Wood.
We appreciate all who made donations from the community, Triad Community Kitchen for the marvelous food and First Christian Church Ministries for the use of their facility. We also want to thank Parks Chevrolet for providing the Chevy Cruze for the raffle.
Spotlighting Our Host Congregations
Main Street United Methodist Church
Main Street United Methodist has been involved with Family Promise since 2009 and was one of the original hosting congregations for our families.
An estimated 100 people from Main Street have offered various talents and skills, as well as time and energy, during the weeklong hosting commitments scheduled among local churches.
Most volunteers have been adults ranging from 20 to 70 years of age; however, the church is hoping to encourage youth to get more involved in the future.
There are direct forms of involvement, such as spending an evening with the families, and indirect involvement like donating food for nightly meals.
Vicki Horner, the Family Promise coordinator at Main Street UMC, says that "Anyone can help, It's just about finding your comfort level." She says volunteers and the Families benefit from the program. Families have a comfortable place to stay with hot meals provided. Volunteers are given the opportunity to serve others and can also fulfill a sense of purpose, she said.
Volunteers like to help by visiting with, listening to, and nurturing the families, she said. Vicki has said that there have been so many people at Main Street willing to volunteer with enthusiasm in their hearts and has noticed their genuine concern of wanting to do the best they can to help.
She says that "Family Promise is a great way to care for families. They receive attention and support from loving Christians in the community." Vicki hopes that the program continues to grow, and wants to raise awareness about it.
Fountain of Life Lutheran Church
Fountain Of Life Lutheran Church is being recognized this month for their involvement with Family Promise. Ever since Family Promise was established in Forsyth County, Fountain of Life has opened their doors and their hearts to the program.
For every week the church hosts families, an average of 28 people provide assistance. Seven families volunteer to cook a variety of meals and it is assured that each meal will be different. The church has a playground and ball field available for participants to use. Movies are occasionally shown and there are crafts and coloring opportunities for kids.
Peg Ludwig, the coordinator for the program at Fountain of Life, notes that it is important to be organized when planning to host. About a month before families come to stay, a chart with available volunteer positions is set up in the church's narthex. This system has proved to work well, and volunteers have been easy to find.
She says that it is very important to have the church's support and to inform the congregation of how beneficial Family Promise is to the community and how they can help. "We do the best we can and we roll with the punches," Ludwig says. "It surprised me how rewarded I felt when I became a part of it."
The families obviously aren't the only ones who get something out of the experience, and Ludwig mentions that volunteers enjoy interacting with the families and making them feel at home. "I think it's made them aware of what they have and how fortunate they are." She says it is such a great feeling to find out that participants have located a place to live and begun to reach their goals.
Brandon, Nikki and the girls – Have been blessed with Brandon Jr, born December 2. He weighed in at 8 pounds, 9 ounces. Mom and baby are doing great!
Ashley and the girls – Ashley was able to move her family into their new home a week before Thanksgiving. All were very excited.
Willie and children – Willie moved into permanent housing the beginning of November and now has all four of his children with him. He has called several times to thank us for what Family Promise provided for his family.
Renee and her two boys – Renee was able to secure a job in the medical field as she had hoped. She is currently in transitional housing while waiting for her apartment to become available.
Jwan, Marilyn, and Trysten – Jwan and Marilyn now are both working. With both adults finding employment the family was able to move forward and transition into Experience Self Reliance's program.
Lydia and her two children – Moved into transitional housing after being with us for about two weeks.
Lidia and the three boys – They left us for transitional housing and since then Lidia has secured a job and permanent housing.
Eric & Jamie and their daughters – They are still in transitional housing but making progress that should allow them to secure permanent housing in the near future. Eric was approved for disability and Jamie has found a full time job.
Kaneisha and Aniya - This family entered our program the week of Christmas. Kaneisha is working to find employment and housing. She has already had a couple of interviews since being with us.
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH MINISTRIES, Kernersville – What a treat to have homemade Thanksgiving dinners delivered to our families who have gone into housing. Everyone enjoyed the wonderful meal!
HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH, Kernersville – Enabled a couple of our families to enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal at C&H Cafeteria on Thanksgiving day.
GRACE HOUSE PRESCHOOL, Kernersville – Family Promise families will have a blessed Christmas through the angel tree that the children and their families from Grace House Preschool are providing.
LOVE OUT LOUD, Winston-Salem – Our day center had a special glow after a team of volunteers from Winston-Salem First came and did a terrific job cleaning.
PURA VIDA PROMOTIONS, INC., Kernersville – What a surprise to receive a donation of multiple tote bags that are a great size for our families to use as they carry their lunches and daily needs with them.
GREAT SCOTT! Computer Services, Winston-Salem – The computers have been cleaned up and are functioning so much better thanks to Scott.
ALLEN TATE REALTY & STARKEY MORTGAGE, Brooke Cashion and LuAnn Davis, for hosting a Holiday open house with Family Promise as the beneficiary.
FORSYTH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL – This school in Lewisville made us the recipient of the funds and items donated to their Cardboard Box City event. Over 50 students and staff participated. It was great to take part and speak with the students and then to learn of the impact the event made.
GRACE HOUSE PRESCHOOL – The four year old classes from the preschool at Grace Presbyterian Church held a bake sale and raised $181, which they donated to Family Promise.
THE WINSTON-SALEM FOUNDATION – Family Promise was awarded a $12,500 grant from the The Winston-Salem Foundation. These funds were provided by the Mary A. Payne Charitable Fund for Human Services and the William and Allan Hollan Charitable Fund.
WELLS FARGO, Main Street Winston-Salem – We were asked to be a part of their ribbon cutting and were selected as their Community Partner, which concluded with Wells Fargo donating $1,000 to our organization.
HOLY CROSS CHURCH, Kernersville – For the hats, gloves, and socks donated to help keep our famiiles warm as winter approaches.
SUMMIT CHURCH, Kernersville – Through their Big Serve we had our yard cleaned up and the families were relieved from doing their inside chores as the day center was cleaned as well.
Save the Date!
Cardboard Box City
Friday, April 27
