 |
Starry Nights Festival and Gala raises more than $45,000 for the Mission
The first annual Starry Nights Festival and Gala raised more than $45,000 in four days for the Mission. More than 2,000 people attended the festival Thursday through Saturday,and on Sunday the trees were auctioned off by local television personalities.
We would like to thank everyone who supported this event, whether that be through sharing it with friends and family, volunteering, or attending the Festival or Gala. We plan to continue to build the event and provide the Lincoln community with a family-friendly holiday tradition for many years to come.
presented by:
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Mission to give away thousands of Christmas dinners
Imagine having little to offer your family for Christmas. Not having enough money to buy gifts for those that mean the most to you. And just as bad, nothing to spend on a good Christmas meal. That is the reality for thousands of family in Lincoln this year. The People’s City Mission and our supporters will do what we can to help this year. On December 14th, 15th and 16th, the we're giving away Christmas dinner to 1,000 families.
The Mission will distribute turkeys and canned goods to 1,000 low-income households -- about 5,000 individuals. But even with this large number of turkeys making its way to a thankful public, there are many that will still be left wanting.
“We hope that we will be able to brighten the season for these families that will be getting a great Christmas meal," said Pastor Tom Barber. "We would like to say that this is enough to feed all who are coming to us for help. But it isn’t. We are happy to be able to provide these meals, but there are others that are still in need. The estimate the need is over double maybe even closer to triple the number we are able to serve.”
The distribution will take place from 4pm to 6pm on Wednesday and 9am to 11:30am and then again at 1pm to 4pm on Thursday and Friday at the PCM Homeless Prevention Center, 21st and N St.
On top of a great meal for their family, prequalified individuals will be able to shop at the Homeless Prevention Center next week for Christmas gifts for their family members next week from items the public has donated. The hours for next week’s shopping days will be the same as listed above for this week’s Christmas Meal giveaway.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
People’s City Mission to hold memorial service for those who have died while homeless
The People's City Mission will gather on Wednesday, December 21st from 7pm to 7:30pm in front of the Mission's free Medical Clinic to pay respects to the homeless men and women who died over the past year. This list includes individuals who died while living on the street or in an emergency shelter, as well as those who died while living in transitional or permanent housing who were formerly homeless. This year seven individuals are specifically going to be remembered.
The event underscores the urgent crisis faced by thousands of men, women and children who experience an episode of homelessness in Lancaster County each year, including over 2000 who have stayed at the People’s City Mission. The event is held in conjunction with National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day which is traditionally held on December 21, which is the first day of winter and the longest night of the year.
National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day events include candlelight vigils featuring the reading of the names of those who have died, proclamations by local public officials, public discussions, and prayer services in more than 100 cities across the United States, Canada, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. The public is invited to attend the Mission's vigil and offer prayers for the individuals to be remembered.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Meet Scott
Scott Howard isn’t about to let his circumstances determine his attitude about life. He was evicted from his apartment after Lincoln Housing refused to give him the housing vouchers he was told he would receive, and he and his three-year-old daughter, Promise, came to stay at the Mission. A week later, Scott lost his job. With everything that’s gone wrong for him in the past year, you’d think his spirits would be low.
Instead of letting it get to him, Scott enrolled himself in a two-year CAD program at Southeast Community College. In his first quarter, he’s earning great grades and particularly likes his English composition class. Until he graduates with his Associate’s degree, Scott says he’s keeping his head down and focusing on the goal.
In the meantime, Scott has a lot of ideas about the work the Mission is doing, and what people can do to help.
“I am thankful for the Mission, and for being able to be here,” he said. A place to stay is critically important, and the people of Lincoln have given financially to the Mission and made that possible. “But it means so much more when people take the time to do something personal,” he said. When people give back in a way that includes some personal investment, the gesture is all the more meaningful.
When Scott graduates and gets on his feet again, he plans on following his own advice. “These people need resources,” he said. Scott said he would like to donate several used cars to guests at the Mission, so they can get to jobs and resource offices and get the help they need.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
"It is truly a blessing to be well and able to come here, and another blessing to receive all the wonderful gifts from God. Thank you. "
- Brenda
|
|
