There may occasionally be some slow days in your life but there is never a dull day at the Roanoke Rescue Mission.
This past Saturday the day started with the Roanoke Valley Lion’s Club serving breakfast. At 9 AM “VT Engage,” Virginia Tech’s community service group, helped prepare and serve lunch at the Mission. The group then went on to help out at the Rescue Mission’s Thrift Store.
Shortly after that “The Harley Hogs,” a Harley Davidson Motorcycle riding club, stopped by the Mission to deliver a Christmas wish-list item. The group then took a full guided tour of the Mission. Also in the morning, groups from last weekend’s Church of the Brethren Conference volunteered their time helping in each of the three Rescue Mission retail stores. “I love seeing all of the groups when they come in to visit and volunteer here at the Mission,” said Leslie Littlefield, Volunteer Coordinator. “We wouldn’t be able to keep doing what we do without them.”
The Roanoke Catholic Key Club also chipped in that morning by preparing bag lunches. During the afternoon, and into the evening, a group of 50 volunteers from HOPE Worldwide worked hard to prepare and serve dinner. “It’s always a special treat having a group come in and prepare an entire meal for our guests,” said Ron Taconet, Food Service Manager. “Last year, we served over 291,000 meals.”
At 3PM, Church of God of Salem helped the Rescue Mission Women and Children’s Center to host “God, Me, and a Cup of Tea”, a tea party for the women staying at the Mission. Also in the Women and Children’s Center later that evening, Siobhan Cline, the owner of Drumzandspace Photography, brought a group to host refreshments, face painting, and photos with Santa for the children who are staying at the Mission. “It was so special for the children having Santa pay them a visit,” says Laura Johnson, Women and Children’s Center Manager. “This year, we have had as many as 80 children staying with us.”
Finally Three Angels’ Chorale, an international group of Christian singers from Hartland College, helped with the evening chapel services at the Mission. In addition to helping with the services, they also spent the night in shelter. “It’s always special when someone chooses to spend the night in shelter because it allows them a chance to see what it is truly like to be one of our shelter guests!” said Lana Stewart, Rescue Mission Chaplain.
Last year, volunteers gave 114, 555 hours of service to the Rescue Mission.
For more information about the Rescue Mission visit www.rescuemission.net.
