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SAMMinistries is an interfaith ministry whose mission is to help the homeless
and those at risk of becoming homeless attain self-sufficiency by offering,
with dignity and compassion, shelter, housing and services. SAMMinistries
also provides volunteers opportunities to be renewed and fulfilled as they serve.
February 2012
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It may seem like a day late, but read on!
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 Dear , 
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Volunteers sacrificing time and energy for the good!
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Although you will receive this email after Valentine's Day, it all should still be fresh in your memory.
Whether or not you gave or received candy, cards, or flowers, we are all very much aware of what Valentine's Day has come to be. However, do you know the history behind the day?
It so happened that a priest named Valentine was put to death on February 14, 269 AD by the Roman Emperor Claudius II. Valentine had been discovered marrying couples--something that had been outlawed by the Emperor. So, he ordered his execution.
I want to take a moment to reflect on this day filled with candy, cards and flowers and remember it all started because a man gave his life in service to others.
So, being someone's Valentine doesn't necessarily involve candy, cards and flowers. We have the opportunity to be someone's Valentine whenever we step forward and do the right thing; even when it is difficult--for example, giving sacrificially from your heart and your time to someone in great need. SAMMinistries is blessed to have volunteers and donors who do this on a regular basis!
I doubt that Valentine could have ever imagined how his sacrifice would have turned the world into a day of honoring our loved ones. But what a wonderful testimony of his call to serve!
I hope you enjoy reading about two of our upcoming special events and how a group of volunteers, led by Don Ketchum, has used one of them to make others happy.
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This Weekend: Toyota Texas Street2Feet 5K Run/Walk
and Kidz K
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Click on picture above to register!
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Time is running out to get the $20 entrance fee! This professionally run 5K, Street2Feet has become a favorite of unners and walkers alike. Don't miss out on being a part of something GREAT!Date: Saturday, February 18, 2012
Race Start Time: 8:00am
Start & Finish Line: 1 Haven for Hope Way-in front of SAMMinistries' Donation Station
Registration Info:
5K Run/Walk
$20 online registration for adults and teens
only open until NOON, FEBRUARY 16th.
(Click on the picture above to register!)
Race day registration available from 6:30am - 7:45am Adults and Teens-$35
Kids 12 & under-$20
Kidz K: Kids 10 and under-$10
Pre-Race packet pick-up: February 17th, 12-7pm, Spectrum-Rogers Ranch, 2711 Treble Creek,78258
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Empty Bowls-Presented by AT&T-Sunday, March 4
and Empty Bowls Tycoon Flats Music Jam Sunday, March 11
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Date: Sunday, March 4, 2012
Time: 11am-2pm Place: Southwest School of Art 300 Augusta-78205 Bowl Price: $18 each
 Come and buy bowls for yourself, friends and family!Thousands of bowls will be for sale-so there will be plenty from which to choose!
With each bowl purchased you will receive a bowl of gourmet soup from local hotels, restaurants and caterers-we are working on bringing even more soup to the table!
A pottery demonstration will also fascinate the young and the young at heart!
PARKING INFO: There is street construction going on around Southwest School of Art, but don't let that deter you from coming! Although there is limited parking at the school, there is free parking on some of the streets by the school. However, if you prefer to pay for parking that is close to the event, the EnterPark parking lot on Augusta (across from the backside of SWA) is charging $5, instead of their usual $6 fee.
But the fun continues, with the Empty Bowls Tycoon Flats Music Jam!
Come join us for great food and great live music.
10% of the proceeds from
ALL sales go to SAMMinistries!
Date: Sunday, March 11, 2012
Time: 1pm-7pm Place: Tycoon Flats
2926 N. St. Mary's-78205 |
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Empty Bowls Turned Into Bowls of Care
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 | | Last year's Empty Bowls become this year's bowls of care |
Don Ketchum, a volunteer from Trinity United Methodist Church, has taken his Empty Bowl purchases and turned them into something very special!
A group of volunteers take the bowls, fill them with plants, flowers or candy and give them to people in hospitals and nursing homes as a care offering. As you can see by the pictures, each bowl and each plant is different. This makes these gifts truly unique!
The idea has spread and now, St. Dominic Catholic Church in San Antonio and Faith Lutheran Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois are using the bowls for the same purpose. Perhaps, you will see these wonderful volunteers when you go to Empty Bowls on March 4th!
We are thrilled that the bowls inspired this wonderful project!
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Bowls filled with plants make a great surprise!
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Introducing Our New Volunteer Coordinator-Luke Leppla
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 For those who may not know, Matt Curtis, our Volunteer Coordinator for three years, has left SAMMinistries to become a full-time Youth Minister! Although it is always difficult to say goodbye to someone who is an integral part of SAMMinistries, our sadness is tempered with our excitement for Matt leaving to fulfill his ministry--his calling. He currently is in seminary and this step to full-time youth ministry was the perfect fit in his journey. We wish him the best!
As we turn the page, we are thrilled to be able to report that we have a new Volunteer Coordinator and you may already know him! Luke Leppla has been working with our residents at the SAMM Shelter on Haven for Hope campus, as well as the families at our Transitional Living and Learning Center, for the past couple of years. So, if he looks familiar to you, he probably is!
Because of his direct work with the people SAMMinistries serves, he brings a special added dimension to Volunteer Services. He is excited to make his mark as the Volunteer Coordinator and has hit the ground running, preparing plans and expanding the scope of volunteering opportunities to offer positions that will meet various levels of comfort and commitment in serving our residents. I will let Luke explain further in future emails, but here's a hint: In looking forward, sometimes you have to take a look back! Welcome to Volunteer Services, Luke!
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Furniture For A Cause
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 Do your tax refund plans include new furniture? Shop FFAC for the best deals on new and gently used furniture. Don't forget to visit the ALL NEW www.ffac.com.
Shop online and pick up in-store today!
Buy a room package and we'll pay your sales tax! See a sales associate for room package combinations!
Store Hours
Monday-Fri 10a-7p
Sat 10a-6p
Sun 12p-5p
If you have a piece of new or gently used furniture you would like to donate to FFAC, please visit our Donations Page, or contact our donation line at (210) 442-2440.
 Have you liked us on Facebook yet?
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I hope to see you at Street2Feet and both Empty Bowls events! These are wonderful opportunities to join together in fellowship, service and fun! In fact, we have counted over 200 volunteers serving at Street2Feet and Empty Bowls.
I see this happening time and time again, so I don't know why it still amazes me. The hearts of the people in San Antonio beat loudly whenever there is a need--and I am so grateful for all you do for SAMMinistries and the men, women and children we serve.
May you be blessed for your "Valentine" spirit!
 Navarra R. Williams President and CEO
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