"My Hope and My Joy" November '20 Mission Momments

NOVEMBER 2020

Hope Joy MY

AND

ALWAYS THANKFUL!

A

KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO

“REJOICE ALWAYS, PRAY CONTINUALLY, GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES; FOR THIS IS GOD’S WILL FOR YOU IN CHRIST JESUS.” 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18

Passion A

s the temperatures start to get colder and the leaves change to the brilliant colors of Fall, the signs of my favorite season of the year are nearing.

In the next few weeks, many of us will be spending time with family and friends around the Thanksgiving table.

Thinking about the familiar smells of turkey and all the fix’ns are already making me hungry and reminding me about the food, fun and fellowship that will be had at many family gatherings during this season.

At the Downtown Rescue Mission, it has been a long tradition to have our Great Thanksgiving Banquet and give out turkeys and Thanksgiving food boxes to families in the community.

With both of these events combined, we will provide thousands of meals to our community and help many families have a great Thanksgiving. I am very excited about this years festivities as we will continue to reach out to our community, through these events, with the love of Jesus.

During the last eight months of dealing with Covid-19 issues, the Mission has had to adjust how we serve the community and care for those who are in our programs and outreaches. We have continued to provide all of our services, just in a different way. The same is true with our Thanksgiving events this year, but the one thing that will always be true is that the Downtown Rescue Mission will always be open and sharing the life changing Gospel to all who will listen.

God has blessed the Mission this year as He has protected our guests and staff through the pandemic. He has also blessed us with a community that understands the value of helping those who are in need or find themselves homeless. Thank you for partnering with us through your prayers, helping us with PPE and through your financial support. Happy Thanksgiving!

IS CONTAGIOUS TOO!

s 2020 progresses, many are wondering if this year can get any worse, following a string of wildfires, airplane crashes, social unrest, deadly explosion in Beirut, and various natural disasters – all under the cloud of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

But here’s the thing... We Have Jesus! Your “Beatitude Attitude” is even more important now- than ever before.

People all around you need hope, a smile, and kindness... and you are just the one to give it to them! Your faith, peace and joy is contagious and you should be infecting as many as you can in these times of uncertainty. Do you tell others that you volunteer or donate to the Mission? Have you asked them to join you in supporting your passion for the work the Lord is doing here? Does your company support organizations that the employees support?

The Mission needs your help to reach out to your company’s grant committee. Simply send Tonia an email with the link, the company grant/nomination form and/or the contact person who is in charge of charitable giving. Funds from grants are used to continue to serve our neighbors in need and for the various projects and repairs necessary to maintain our buildings and dormitories. Donations provide for direct services, which change lives every day.

Let your passion be contagious!

Help us change lives in a big way for eternity.

Send information to Tonia Camardella at tonia@downtownrescuemission.org

MISSIONMOMENTS | November 2020

Hope Joy MY

AND

“HEAL ME, O LORD, AND I SHALL BE HEALED; SAVE ME, AND I SHALL BE SAVED, FOR YOU ARE MY PRAISE.” JEREMIAH 17:14 ESV

M

y name is Alyson Capps. I’m thirty-eight, divorced, and the mother of two beautiful children. All I ever wanted was to be a good wife and mother. I’ve always believed in God, but never had the relationship. Most of my life I struggled with mental and physical illness. Terrible abusive relationships and drug abuse have left me very lost and extremely broken. The pain and shame I felt never let me out of my own head.

I’ve been so scared of everyone and everything.

After my divorce two years ago, the healing began after a few more fights with my ex-husband and daughter.

I had gotten more drunk that anyone should be when I cried out to the Lord, surrendering all I am to Him! The next morning I was on my journey to knowing and falling in love with Jesus. My first step out in faith was with Theresa, a friend who came and picked me up. She offered me a place in her home and promised me that God would provide everything I needed – she would show me. I stayed for a couple of months but decided I needed something different. I will always be thankful and

grateful for her and her family. She took me to SonShine House in Arab. I was content there, working at a chicken plant, but God ultimately wanted me here at the Mission.

Already recognizing the beautiful healing and peace God was giving me, I wanted more! The Mission’s program was everything I had been praying for – a place to find peace, rest, and heal. I never knew life could be so sweet. A couple of months ago, I was looking forward to the last quarter of their life transformation program and getting a job. Then came the diagnosis – Stage 3 metastatic rectal cancer. I knew I would be fine, telling myself that God did not bring me this far just to drop me off short. I didn’t know how I would take care of things.

Praise God, the Mission was behind me 100%. I get to finish my program while receiving the best medical care, surrounded by God-fearing and Jesus loving angels.

To have nothing according to the world, I have all the richest blessings anyone could ever hope for in this life.

My good Heavenly Father has provided everything!! He has restored my mind, heart, health, and most precious relationships. I saw my daughter a couple weeks ago and have my little girl back!! My mom, younger brother, and niece visited me for the first time in five years. We had the best time and look forward to many more visits. My hope and joy are found in the Lord of my salvation Jesus Christ.

donate.downtownrescuemission.org

MI S S ION IN M Y WOR DS

J

erry Damson knew he was fortunate. In the summer

Damson. Jerry’s son Deke Damson and son-in-

of 1961, he saw opportunity to sell “the cleanest,

law Bruce Park continue the benevolence. “We are

nicest vehicles in town.” Mr. Damson also knew he

as strong as our region. We depend on the non-

needed a healthy marketplace to sell his cars. His spirit

profit community to improve North Alabama. The

of giving, which he credits his parents, started early.

Downtown Rescue Mission is a fabulous organization

“WE DEPEND ON THE NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE NORTH ALABAMA. THE DOWNTOWN RESCUE MISSION IS A FABULOUS ORGANIZATION THAT DOES INCREDIBLE WORK. IT IS A BLESSING TO GIVE BACK.”

that does incredible work,” said Deke Damson. “It is a blessing to give back,” he said.

The Downtown Rescue Mission needed Jerry Damson’s help.

“We recognize and embrace the

thousands of volunteer hours, the meals, housing and clothing - it’s logical they needed our help with a vehicle and we are very fortunate to be able to help.

Now Jerry Damson’s children and adult-

A strong Downtown Rescue Mission strengthens

grandchildren control the dealership enterprise

everything about Huntsville,” said Deke Damson,

that serves the Tennessee Valley from 5 locations,

reflecting the attitudes his parents installed in the

including a stand alone Honda Service Center - one

dealerships nearly 60 years ago. “And as my children

of only a handful in the country. The same spirit of

continue operating the family business, they can see

giving today is a critical part of the culture at Jerry

exactly why the Mission is so important to support.”

MISSIONMOMENTS | November 2020

2020 THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

T

hanksgiving and Christmas will be here before we know

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26

it! We’ve opened our volunteer opportunities for both

• Help us set up and decorate both campus dining halls in

holiday’s events and they’re getting booked up fast. Slots

preparation for the banquet lunch meal from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.

are booked on a first come, first serve basis. We do ask all

• Help us serve our banquet lunch meal to in-house guests

volunteers bring a face mask to wear as you volunteer. For

and residents at either dining hall on campus (Main Facility

more information or to sign-up, please contact Corey at

for men OR Owen’s House for women and children) from

(256)

10:30 a.m. – *12:30 p.m. We’re capping volunteers at (75) for

713-4316

or

corey@downtownrescuemission.org.

Thank you for blessing our ministry through your compassionate heart to serve those in our care!

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23

the main facility and (45) for Owen’s House.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25 • Help us set up and decorate both campus dining halls in

• Help us distribute Thanksgiving food boxes and frozen

preparation for the banquet lunch meal from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.

turkeys drive-thru style to members of our community in

• Help us serve our banquet lunch meal to in-house guests

need from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24 • Both morning and afternoon giveaway times are currently booked up.

and residents at either dining hall on campus (Main Facility for men OR Owen’s House for women and children) from 10:30 a.m. – *12:30 p.m. We’re capping volunteers at (75) for the main facility and (45) for Owen’s House.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25 • Help us set up and decorate both campus dining halls in preparation for the banquet lunch meal from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.

• Help us serve our banquet lunch meal to in-house guests and residents at either dining hall on campus (Main Facility for men OR Owen’s House for women and children) from 10:30 a.m. – *12:30 p.m. We’re capping volunteers at (75) for the main facility and (45) for Owen’s House.

Nov 27-28, 2020. 9am-7pm.

Black Friday sale!

50% off Storewide 25% off mattresses, 15% off new furniture

thrift store

FALL 2020 CALENDAR THANKSGIVING FOOD BOX SIGN-UPS

THANKSGIVING DAY BANQUET FOR IN-HOUSE GUESTS*

• Monday & Tuesday, November 2 & 3, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

• Thursday, November 26, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

CELEBRATION OF VETERANS

GIVING TUESDAY

• Monday, November 9, starting at 10:00 a.m. in our main campus chapel

• Tuesday, December 1 – support the Mission’s ministries through tax deductible gifts!

LIFE TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM GRADUATION

*To-Go boxes will be available for those needing a meal from our community

• Tuesday, November 10, starting at 10:00 a.m. in our main campus chapel

THANKSGIVING FOOD BOX GIVEAWAY • Monday & Tuesday, November 23 & 24, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

GREAT THANKSGIVING BANQUET FOR IN-HOUSE GUESTS* • Wednesday, November 25, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

SEC CHALLENGE

T

he SEC Challenge is in full swing! The virtual fundraising event began back in September, but there’s plenty of time to join. The top fundraiser will win a night’s stay at the Westin, dinner at the Sage Grill, and bragging rights for their college team. The event ends December 5th, so register now! For more information or to register in support of your favorite team, check out our Events page at downtownrescuemission.org.

LIVES YOU HAVE TOUCHED SEPTEMBER 2020

Meals Served

19,047 5,385

Lodging Volunteer Hours

is a proud member of

561 ®

82060

1400 Evangel Drive | Huntsville, AL 35816 | 256-536-2441 | downtownrescuemission.org