December 19, 2009

This has been an amazing week leading up to Christmas!

On Wednesday afternoon we helped serve 72 families with food boxes, clothing, hygiene kits and bread. There were 27 new families. This was the first week that we instituted the practice of providing food boxes to returning families every other week. We had almost as many volunteers on hand as families, so it really gave us the opportunity to get to know them a lot better. We also distributed Christmas trees to families who pre-ordered the prior week — 48 trees!

The medical Clinic has slowed down over the past few weeks as the thermometer plummets at night. We served six patients this week. We have added a few new caregivers this week to hopefully ease the burden on Bonnie and her husband, Dr. Jorge Martinez, who have been helping nearly every week.

The biggest news this week was the first annual Girl Scout Christmas food drive at Copies and More on Tuesday nite. We received aproximately 3,600 lbs. of nonperishable food items. At one time, there were around 600 in attendance enjoying a DJ, Santa Clause, and of course, cookies!

In addition, we received nearly 1,500 lbs of food items from Paloma Elementary, and the supplies just keep coming in from our awesome holiday food drive at Henry's markets. We also switched into high gear this week playing Santa. We have been gathering toys, games, dolls, balls, etc. for the Christmas Angel gift giveaway this coming Tuesday.

We were blessed with 85 new $20 items from the CHP Banning office on Thursday, as well as a lot coming in every day from the Community. Yesterday, I recieved a call from our friends at the CHP asking if we could use some food donations. Soboba Indians donated nonperishable canned food to the Rescue Mission from a food drive they conducted recently and we picked up aproximately 6,800 lbs!

We have holiday food drives today at Henry's market as well as the donations from efforts by the college ministry. Thank You Sabo! The Rescue Mission is the recipient of donations from a live nativity performance last night and tonight by the Sunrise Christian Fellowship Church at the Calvary Chapel Conference Center in Murrieta.

God truly provides! I would like to wish you all a safe and joyous Christmas.

David Jones, Director