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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.
March 2012
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 Dear ,
Have you adjusted to the "Spring Forward" that happened on Sunday? Although the hour of daylight we gain in the long run is beneficial, I heard reports about, how for a few days, it affects our health, driving, and job performance. Sometimes it is difficult to make the change, even if it is just for one hour.
Now put yourself in the shoes of a man, woman or child in one of our programs. Their life is ALL about change! And the changes they are making are for the better, but that doesn't, by any means, make them easier!
 | | Street 2 Feet Program by The Rivard Report |
Take a moment to look at the video above. It features Elizabeth Rosenblum and the Street2Feet Program. We are so blessed to have Elizabeth as a volunteer, but she is more than that to SAMMinistries and to the people we serve. I think once you have seen this video, you will understand just how much she means to everyone she has helped.
Below we are featuring our coverage on two of our biggest fundraisers-The Toyota Texas Street2Feet 5k Run/Walk and Kidz K and The San Antonio Potters Guild Empty Bowls Event, presented by AT&T. Take a look at the video, pictures and the list of names of all of the people and businesses who came together to make great things happen!
Don't forget to scroll down to read our Volunteer Spotlight and Opportunities. There's even a way to help SAMM through Birdies for Charity and get a chance at winning a car in the process! Enjoy! |
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The Rain Doesn't Stop the Toyota Texas Street2Feet
5K Run/Walk and Kidz K
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For the third year in a row, there was rain before the race. However, the clouds dried up by race time and the Toyota Texas Street2Feet 5K Run/Walk and Kidz K went on without a hitch! Randy Beamer was our emcee this year and kept a smile on everyone's face. He did a special story on Street2Feet that can be seen here!  | | WOAI San Antonio News- More About SAMMinistries and Street2Feet |
We can't say enough about Jefferson Award Recipient, Elizabeth Rosenblum. She is the reason there was a 3rd Annual Street2Feet 5K Run/Walk and Kidz K! In 2009, Elizabeth, along with Megan Cullip, began the Street2Feet Program. They shared a vision to help the homeless through exercise and encouragement. Soon they envisioned having a 5K to give the program participants a goal to work toward. And the rest is history! Since then, Megan has gone away to seminary, but Elizabeth has remained a constant to over 500 men, women and children who have gone through her program. This year over 50 program participants ran in the race--some of them even placed in their age divisions! We would also like to thank the race sponsors for their help in making the 5K and Kidz K a great event for all! They are listed below the pictures. If you visit them, please thank them for their sponsorship.  
 
 
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The San Antonio Potters Guild says,"Thanks!"
|  The San Antonio Potters Guild would like to thank everyone who came to the 12th Annual Empty Bowls Event, presented by AT&T, at the Southwest School of Art and the Tycoon Flats Music Fest.
Special THANKS to our food and service
vendors for making the event such a success:
Absolutely Everything Catering, Anne Marie's Catering, Aldaco's Mexican Cuisine, Bill Miller Bar-B-Q, Black Tie Affairs Catering, Broadway Daily Bread, Chik-fil-A, Citrus at Hotel Valencia, Clayworld, Copper Kitchen, Cosmo Audio Visual, Dan Gonzalez Band, Don Strange of Texas, Fresh Horizons Creative Catering, Furniture For A Cause, Great Harvest Bread Co., Green Tweed, Jim Moorman, The L&M's, Luke, Nadler's Bakery & Cafe, Nationwide Insurance, Olive Garden, Pam's Patio, Piatti, Picnikins Patio Cafe, RK Group, Inc, Ron Rose and Friends, Roaring Fork, San Antonio Country Club, Signature Catering, Tre Trattoria, Twin Sisters, Tycoon Flats, Whole Foods Market-Alamo Quarry, Yvonne Woods aka Calico Cat, and Zocca Restaurant at the Westin Riverwalk.
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Volunteer Spotlight-Jaime Sepulveda
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 If you've followed the newsletter for a while, you might notice that the Volunteer Spotlight usually focuses on volunteers who have been with us for a while. We are so grateful for their faithfulness! However, this month, we're reveling in the new volunteers who have recently joined in helping our families. Jaime Sepulveda is one of our new volunteers. Although new to SAMMinistries, he has jumped in with both feet. You may remember seeing our need for a Volunteer Receptionist at our Transitional Living and Learning Center (TLLC). Well, when Jaime heard about the position, he knew that was the perfect place for him to serve! And so, for the last month, he has served weekly as a Volunteer Receptionist at TLLC. Since then, he has become a fixture at the front desk; chatting with the residents, answering the phone, monitoring the security cameras, and interacting with the children. Jaime is a successful real estate agent and member of the San Antonio Board of Realtors (SABOR)--one of our great supporters. SAMMinistries is thankful that Jaime takes time to volunteer despite running a successful business and planning his upcoming wedding. Thanks and congratulations, Jaime!
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Top Volunteer Needs
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Street2Feet:
Join the residents of our downtown shelter in our jogging and walking club. This volunteer opportunity offers interaction and rewarding experiences with residents. Encourage participants and hand out high-fives as you watch lives transformed in front of your very eyes.
Street2Feet meets downtown at Garcia Park Monday, Wednesday, & Saturday mornings at 8:30am and volunteers in Street2Feet are encouraged to help plan the annual Street2Feet 5K race. You can sign up to help on one, two, or three days. Interested? Watch the videos in Navarra's message and Street2Feet article and see how this program is changing the lives of the homeless in San Antonio. If, after watching the video you want more information,
email us for more details.
TLLC Receptionist:
Did you read the volunteer spotlight section of this newsletter? Are you interested in volunteering like Jaime? Every weekday from 4:00pm to 8:00pm we need a volunteer to transfer incoming calls, monitor the security camera feeds, and have positive interactions with the families we serve. This volunteer opportunity provides a chance to interact and serve the families at TLLC, so
email us for more details.
 Childcare:
Did you know the average age of a homeless child in San Antonio is 6 years old? We have various dates and times that childcare is needed so parents can attend enrichment classes, dorm meetings, and tutoring sessions for our college-attending clients. Would you be willing to spend an hour on a weeknight taking care of children? If you are interested in being contacted whenever we have childcare needs,
email us for more details.
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Easter Baskets Needed for our Little Ones
|  We are looking for some special "Easter Bunnies"
to donate baskets for the children
in our care.
Easter is fast approaching and
we are looking for
baskets filled with fun
for our kids! Currently we need 165 baskets, so if your organization or group would like to participate this year, please email or call her at 210.321.5641
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Birdies for Charity Helps SAMM & Offers Chance at Car!
|  SAMMinistries is pleased to participate in Birdies for CharityŽ, a community-based fundraising initiative designed by Golf San Antonio and held in conjunction with Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio. The competition will take place on April 16th -22nd, 2012, but you have the opportunity to join in on the fun, right now!
Visit the Birdies for Charity website to make a donation to SAMMinistries AND to become eligible to win a fabulous new vehicle! All monies raised in our name under this program go directly to support SAMMinistries.
Upon making your donation, you will be asked to guess the total number of birdies that will be made during the competition rounds of the tournament. The individual who guesses the exact number of birdies made (or is closest to the number) at the 2012 Valero Texas Open will win a new vehicle. In the event of a tie, a tie-breaker event will be used to determine the winner. Deadline for all entries is Tuesday, April 17th.
Should you have any questions or need additional forms to share with a friend, please email Elizabeth de los Santos or call her at 210.321.5641. Fore! |
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 new furniture room package and we'll pay your sales tax!
See a sales associate for room package combinations!
Store Hours
Monday-Friday 10am-7pm
Saturday 10am-6pm
Sunday 12pm-5pm
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.
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So, as we make the adjustments to make the time change easier for us, I ask that you take a moment and remember the men, women and children who, because of your help, we serve each and every day.
Say a prayer, make a donation, volunteer--whatever you feel called to do. Just take that step to help them succeed in making their changes for the better!
May you be blessed for your kindness and compassion!
 Navarra R. Williams President and CEO
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