Operation WARM to Help Local Homeless People by Doubling Text Gifts

December 21st is the first day of winter and The Longest Night of the Year. It's especially tough on homeless people. The sun will set at 4:31 pm and will not rise until 7:17 am--15 long hours of darkness and cold.

It's also National Homeless Person's Memorial Day, a day of observance to remember those who have perished while homeless. Hypothermia remains a leading, critical and preventable cause of injury and death among those experiencing homelessness. In December 2010 two homeless individuals died in Allentown; one outside on a porch, the other under a bridge.

Between December 15th and 21st, the Allentown Rescue Mission will run a special mobile giving campaign called Operation WARM to help provide shelter, meals and life-changing programs at the Mission. You can join in by texting the word WARM to 50555 to make a onetime $10 donation to the Mission.

And now through the 21st, each $10 text donation will be matched, dollar for dollar, turning each $10 gift into $20, thanks to the generosity of:

• The law firm of Fitzpatrick, Lentz & Bubba
• A-Team Auto Center, 1095 MacArthur Rd., Whitehall
• A T & D Communications
• Health Habits, 5350 Rte. 873, Schnecksville
• TD Bank

You'll receive a confirmation text message; please reply YES to confirm your donation. (Data and message rates may apply. Reply STOP to 50555 to stop. Full Terms: mGive.org/T.)

Please share this opportunity with your friends. Visit http://www.allentownrescuemission.org/ for more information, to read the press release, or for a printable flyer. We now make it easier to share our information on your favorite social networking sites; just look for the "Share" icon.

Watch our Operation WARM video:

Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs-12 Days of Giving to Benefit the Mission

When you shop at Majestic Clubhouse on selected days (shown on left) and mention the Allentown Rescue Mission, 10% of your purchase will be donated to the Mission!

You can also shop online with our customized link http://ironpigs.milbstore.com/store.cfm?partner_id=10 .

Get your favorite Iron Pigs fans great gifts and help the Mission at the same time!

Players of the Stage Production to Benefit the Mission

Players of the Stage, a youth theatre group, is celebrating its 10th anniversary by staging A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (adapted for stage by Anna Lauffer.)

Ebenezer Scrooge considers himself a good man of business; everyone else knows him as a miser. Scrooge cares little for the opinions of others until a visit from his dead partner sends him on a journey to face himself and the chance to be redeemed--if he wants it.

Tickets are free, but reservations are required. This is a benefit show; in lieu of a ticket price, Players of the Stage will take a freewill offering at each show that will go entirely to the Mission! With their last two benefit shows for the Mission, they were able to donate over $10,500!




The shows will be performed at Living Hope Presbyterian Church, 330 Schantz Road, Allentown (Wescosville) on December 2, 3, 4, at 7 pm and a matinee in December 4th at 2 pm.





For information and ticket reservations, e-mail Beth Barshinger at tgbembus@yahoo.com , playersofthestage@yahoo.com or call 610-923-6742, 610-216-3195.





Click here for a church bulletin insert or flyer to share with a friend.

Support the Mission with Online Purchases with Good Shop

If you're doing any online shopping, you can help support the Mission effortlessly!

Download the Allentown Rescue Mission's toolbar, and every time you shop at more than 1,300 online stores (from Amazon to Zazzle!) a percentage of your purchase will automatically be donated to the Allentown Rescue Mission, at no cost to you! You may even be able to SAVE money as the toolbar provides coupons and special deals as well.

The toolbar also has a search box, and each time you search the internet, about a penny is donated to the Mission. Please use and share with your friends! http://http//www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/allentown-rescue-mission

4-Star Rating for Allentown Rescue Mission From Leading Charity Evaluator

Allentown Rescue Mission announced it has achieved the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s leading charity evaluator. The Allentown Rescue Mission is a local ministry to homeless men, providing emergency shelter, drug and alcohol treatment, life skills/transitional living and permanent housing.



The Mission received this highest rating for efficiently managing and growing its finances. Approximately a quarter of the charities evaluated will receive this rating. According to a letter from Ken Berger, Charity Navigator’s President and Chief Executive Officer, the rating indicates that the “Allentown Rescue Mission executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, and outperforms most other charities in America. This ‘exceptional’ designation…differentiates Allentown Rescue Mission from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust.”



According to Gary Millspaugh, the Mission’s Executive Director, “The news is unexpected, but not a surprise. We have been working very hard for years to improve our programs and keep fund raising costs under control. Our funding comes mainly from private sources, and our typical donor is an individual who gives an average of about $45.00. The work we do for our homeless clients is, I believe, remarkable. In addition to shelter, we have excellent programs, paying jobs and workforce training and low cost housing to assure that a man can return to the community. Supporting all of these is a ministry that builds faith and a relationship to God and church.”



Millspaugh said that the rating comes at a crucial time. “The Mission’s emergency shelter saw a spike in its usage in early August, with 35 men using the services on a given night. That usage is more typical of November through February. More men are citing job loss and prolonged unemployment as the main factors contributing to their homelessness, now, more than in previous years.”



“It has us bracing for the coming months, and very concerned,” Millspaugh said. “Although homelessness is not a ‘cold weather problem’ we’re expecting usage to continue to increase through fall and winter. It was exciting to get this vote of confidence from Charity Navigator, because we work hard to make the most of what we are given from the public.” Millspaugh added that the charity receives 91% of its funding from private sources.



The Mission’s programs consist of the Gateway Center (emergency shelter) the Life Recovery Treatment Program (a state-licensed residential drug and alcohol treatment program), the Christian Living and Values Program (life skills and transitional living), the Clean Team (workforce development/jobs program) and Housing. Last year, the Mission spent more than $2,106,800 on programs, jobs and housing for homeless men.



Charity Navigator evaluates charities of financial health and organizational efficiency and capacity. Basing their evaluations on financial information provided in IRS Forms 990, they analyze each charity’s performance in program expenses, administrative expenses, fundraising expenses, fundraising efficiency, primary revenue growth and program expenses growth, and working capital ratio.

Food and Supplies Drive

A HUGE "Thank You" to Leanne Aquino, who collected food and supplies for the Mission as a Christian service project for

DeSales University. Leanne collected items from her co-workers at Health Network Laboratories and enlisted the help of Mark Anderson, who collected at B Braun. Leanne also received help from her Facebook friends! Thanks to everyone who helped out!

This is a great project for students, small groups, and businesses. We keep a list of our needs posted at http://www.allentownrescuemission.org/needed.php.

Christian Living Waiting List Expands

To make sure even more men can experience the Life Skills education provided in the Christian Living & Values Program, it recently increased the content of its Waiting List Phase. this should help more men enroll in the "Day Program" Phase, where their daily schedule is filled with classes aimed at helping participants achieve self-sufficiency.

Men on the Waiting List can have up to 9 weeks to wait to enroll in the "Day Program" Phase. They now have daily classes, Bible study, and community service activities scheduled to keep them productively engages until the next class session begins.

Jeff and Shane were among the first men to enter Christian Living's newly expanded Waiting List phase. Both men are in their early twenties, and have had difficulty finding work due to the economy. When asked about their future goals, both men stressed that they want to "graduate from Christian Living. This will be the first of many short and long-term goals the men will set for themselves in the Christian Living & Values Program.

You say "Tomato"...I say...

Back in April we offered tomato seeds to our supporters, as a reminder of the "Seeds of Hope" which are planted at the Mission, sown into the lives of the homeless men we serve.

The small packets had a great deal of potential; in the right environment, with care and nurture, it could yield up to 100 lbs of delicious tomatoes! We encouraged our supporters "feed your family, share with friends, and perhaps send a few to the Mission."

The tomatoes are starting to ripen, and we are grateful for our friends who are sharing with us. We continue to provide "homegrown" services for homeless people right here in the Lehigh Valley.

Personal Care Donations

Each year the Mission serves between 700-800 men, all in need of personal care products. We recently received a large donation of travel-size personal care items from a donor who travels for work. The size is perfect for men served in our Gateway Center. It's length of stay is 14-days. Larger size products are also needed, for men in our long-term program. Any item, big or small, is appreciated. You can find a list of needed items on the Mission's Needs List page http://www.allentownrescuemission.org/needed.php . Thank you to all our generous donors!

Formerly Homeless Emergency Shelter Guest Becomes Donor

Hollis had just moved to the Lehigh Valley from Quakertown and was working at a local restaurant. He was arrested and spent a month in jail before being acquitted of the charges. Long enough, though, to lose his job and housing, which was a month-to-month efficiency.

He came to the Allentown Rescue Mission's Emergency Shelter in September of 1994, and soon enrolled in the Christian Living and Values Program. He stayed in the program for 6 months, then moved into another local ministry, where he stayed for a month. Eventually, he went to live with a friend, which was not a good situation. He admits he "slipped" and needed help.

But Hollis used it as a learning experience. he says he again turned to God and went into a treatment program. Even then, he struggled. In 1996, he returened for a two-week stay in the Mission's Emergency Shelter until he saved enough to rent an apartment. He worked a variety of jobs: in a pizza shop, a car wash, and telemarking at a loan company. This last job opened doors for Hollis, as he worked his way up from telemarker to junior loan officer, to loan officer.

He was able to buy a house, and worked at a bank. Eventually, he bought a second house and continues to rent out the first one. Hollis consistently donates to the Mission through the years, first giving back the clothes he received when he initially came to the Mission. Then, he continued the tradition by donating other items the Mission needed, and as he was able, began donating cash.

Hollus considers it a joy to give back. "if it wasn't for the Mission, I wouldn't have two houses and be drug-free," he says. "The Mission planted inital seeds that the other places watered."

Mission and Mayfair

You can save $1 off Mayfair admission and help the Mission at the same time! Mayfair is collecting rolls of paper towels and spray cleaner at its admission gates for the Mission. Everyone who brings an item will receive $1 off regular admission or $2 off a multi-day pass! The Mission is grateful for this partnership; cleaning products are always needed at the Mission, to keep it clean for the homeless people we serve.

Mayfair Festival of the Arts showcases visual and performing arts in Cedar Beach Park in Allentown. The festival runs Thursday, May 27th through Monday, May 31st. For more information on the festival, visit http://www.mayfairfestival.org/.

Gunther's Left Wing/Right Wing Challenge Sponsors More Than 500 Wings!

"Egged on" by Bobby Gunther Walsh of WAEB AM 790, listeners participated in a friendly competition, calling in to sponsor either Left Wings or Right Wings at $5 each.

By noon on Friday, April 30th, the Right Wingers were soaring with 504 wings sponsored. The Left Wingers sponsored 32 wings, for a total of 536 wings. This raised $2,680--something to crow about--before the dinner began!!

Our thanks to Gunther, WAEB & its listeners for their support!

Chicken Feed Dinner to Support the Mission is a Success!

The Chicken Feed Dinner to support the Allentown Rescue Mission served 321 guests and raised over $19,000! Sixty-five volunteers pitched in to make this event a success.

Our thanks to our sponsors:

Super Chicken Sponsor:
Kutztown Folk Festival

Big Bird Sponsor:
Mr. Bill's Poultry Market

Nest Egg Sponsors:
Bethany United Methodist Church
Brownback Mason & Associates
Chicken Little & the Big Red Chicken
Embassy Bank
Foster Contracting
McAuliffe Hauling and Recycling
Pepsi Bottling Group
W.J. Stiver & Associates

Flock Sponsors:
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Balf
Gannon's Gourmet Foods
Karen Grim-Bogdan
Interstate Fleets, Inc.
Johsua's Tree
Michael Mutarelli
Thomas Nowakowski, Jr.
Brad & Janice Osborne
Melanie Sanchez-Jones
Stotz & Fatzinger Office Supplies
YMCA, Allentown

Wing and A Prayer Sponsors:
Jordan United Church of Christ, South Whitehall
St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Allentown

Chicken Nugget Sponsors:
Brickote
Bill Dickinson
New China Buffet
William Pummer, Jr.
Steven Ziminsky

A special thank you to Asbury United Methodist Church for hosting the Chicken Feed...And MANY thanks to our wonderful volunteers!

Bake Sale Benefits the Mission

Marianne (Mary) Knapp, a loyal Mission supporter, sold a variety of baked goods on Sunday, March 28th at the Wal*Mart Supercenter in Easton. Mary baked the goodies herself, and is donating the proceeds to the Mission. Bill Dickinson, the Mission's Director of Development, stopped by for some samples and raved, "They were delicious!"

THANK YOU, Mary, for your hard work and dedication!

Eric's Story

Eric was homeless and didn't care if he lived or died. In fact, dying seemed to be a way out of the mess his life had become.

His drug use had put him in and out of rehabs, mental hospitals, and jail.

"I lost everything," Eric said.

Finally, something changed.

Find out what happened to Eric at www.allentownrescuemission.org.

Players of the Stage

Our thanks to "Players of the Stage" for their presentation of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" to benefit the Mission. The production was a labor of love for local children and youth involved with the Players of the Stage theatre company. Their hard work and creativity raised over $5,000!

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" inspires viewers to consider the true meaning of Christmas. In the words of director Sharon Barshinger (pictured at left with production manager Elisabeth Barshinger and the Mission's Executive Director Gary Millspaugh), "If celebrating Christmas is just about a baby in a manger then we might as well not have Christmas. How much help can a helpless baby give us? Christmas must mean more; Christmas means that Jesus came to the manger because he came to die on the cross. One can't truly appreciate the beauty of the 2nd person of the Godhead lying in a feeding trough if you don't understand the horror and hope that is mingled in the crucifixion of the Son of God, Son of Man, Jesus."

The Mission is grateful to be associated with this fine production. We encourage you to support the Player's of the Stage's next production, "The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, on March 18th & 19th at 7 pm and March 20th at 2 pm and 7 pm at Living Hope Presbyterian Church, 330 Schantz Road, Allentown. Tickets are free. Donations are welcome to help offset porduction costs. A portion of proceeds will be donated to The Jamaican School for the Deaf. Contact Beth Barshinger at tgbemus@yahoo.com or 610-923-6742 for more information.