So we dug out our ol’ sleeping bags and boxes, along with our hats and gloves and had an awesome turn out for this year’s 2009 Mission:Change
Hope for the Hungry and Homeless Sleep Out!
Our team wants to say a special “thank you” to all the folks in the Albany, GA community that came out to support Mission:Change and help raise awareness and funds for the homeless and hungry in our area. On this special evening, we had many supporters learn how to make a difference from their own backyard! There were over 500 supporters that came out to the event and over 80 sleepers for the night! How amazing is that?! From Awesome music to wonderful speakers, we feel that a lot of information was shared with the people of our community on how to get involved to give hope to those in need in Albany. Speakers from the Food bank of SWGA, Salvation Army, Flint River Habitat for Humanity, and Mission Change shared their personal stories of homelessness, ways to help with sub-standard housing, and giving back to the community through making food bags for the children (and more!)
Boxes upon boxes of food and clothing were filled to capacity. All the food was donated to the Food Bank of Southwest GA and all the clothing was donated to the Salvation Army. The night grossed aprrox. $7800 and will be shared by Flint River Habitat for Humanity and Mission Change. All the mission change proceeds will go towards building a mobile shower trailer for the homeless. Each week the homeless are fed a meal somewhere in the Albany area, so the mobile shower will be set-up each time an organization or church is offering a meal to the homeless at that particular place. This will allow them to have at least one shower a week that will help them feel better about themselves and have better hygiene.. Not only will this give them a chance to feel more confident about themselves, but also feel more a part of the community in their eyes.
A total of 48
Hope for the Hungry shirts were sold which will allow Mission Change to feed 1,536 food insecure men women and children in our community. This is amazing!
Todd and I are so excited about the changes being made in our community
because of the support that you have given Mission:Change! The homeless are a special part of our lives and we know that with your help and service we can make a difference in someone’s life. It’s a funny thing…there is not one day that goes by that I don’t think about one of our friends that is homeless. I know in my heart that together we can make a change in this community and bring hope to those who are hopeless and show love to those who feel unloved due to the situations that have caused them to be homeless. So please continue to join us in the fight against homelessness and food deprivation in the community by participating in the monthly missions, buying the products, and making donations not only during the holidays, but throughout the year. It is because of you that we are able to do what do and share our hopes and dreams with you to make this city a better place! SO we say “Thank you” again for all you have done and don’t forget to make a contribution in honor/memory of someone you love this holiday season at www.missionchange.com! Merry Christmas and happy new year!
