winter 2004 bay area hope newsletter, bay area rescue mission

8/8/2019 Winter 2004 Bay Area Hope Newsletter, Bay Area Rescue Mission

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From Exhaustion to Exhilaration

Johnnys Long Road to Sobrietyy name is John Austin. When Icame to the Bay Area Rescue

Mission I was physically drained, morallycorrupt, and mentally exhausted. Idused drugs since the age of 12, and I

allowed my rebellious nature to drive meinto a spiral of despair.

Ive been in jail thirty three times,gotten off drugs and then started usingagain. I kept on doing just abouteverything my way the wrong way.

One day, a pastor in Antioch told me about the Mission. I remember himasking me if I wanted to join the recovery program. Even though my life was anightmare I said, No. I dont need any program. I have my addiction undercontrol. All my answers were the wrong answers.

ife was pure hellI continued to endure my living nightmare until I finally hit the bottom

and came to the Bay Area Rescue Mission. It was one of the best decisionsever made. Now, many months later, Imstill here. But not as a resident. Im now a

job counselor for guests who are like I useto be. Every day I see what I used to lookike and think like. These daily remindershelp me stay on the straight and narrow.

Now, its almost Christmas, and I knowwill be a good one. Especially since I don

emember many holidays after I was 12ears old. Mostly because I was usually in

jail during the Christmas season.Today, the holidays are great. I get to

see my family, my mother and the manyfriends the Mission has given me. I also want to thank you who give yourmoney, time and goods to the Mission. Id like to shake your hand and thayou personally for all you do. I also want to tell you that you helped changmy life. Without you, there would be no Mission.

God bless you, and Merry Christmas.

M

.. , - . .. .

pec aC ristmas Invitation

g. 3

All my answerswere the wrong

nswers.

,

.


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y name is Beverly. For many years I was a compulsive gambler. It all startedwhen I became a widow. Even though I had my little daughter to care for, Ibecame depressed and lonely. I figured I needed some excitement in my life.

Id go to the horse races, the Bingo parlors, and to Reno on occasion. The list istoo long to mention. Strangely, I never figured I had a problem. Id just go gamble

on weekends after Id receive my pay check from work. Id just sit down and playwhat I thought was an innocent game of Poker. I enjoyed the thrill and theexcitement of just being with people. Lots of times I went into the clubs with $2000in my purse. never came out with that much money.

I never used alcohol or other drugs. I didnt have to.Gambling was my drug of choice. The casinos loved me.I never had to pay a dime for a room or food.

Tired of being an addictOne time, Id gambled for two nights in a row and still went to work during the

day. I became exhausted. Being a diabetic didnt help. I passed out. The police came

to my door. That was my wake up call. I was tired of being an addict.My granddaughter, Portia, whom I was supposed to care for, was angry withme. After all, I was her last hope. I knew it was time for a change and the BayArea Rescue Mission played an important role in my healing.

I smile when I think that I used to sendpeople to the Mission for help. Now Ineeded to send myself to the Mission. Thats when God touched my heart andchanged my life. To make a long story short, Ive started college, andIm regaining my dignity. Im also singing again. And if you seesomeone with her nose in the Bible, that willprobably be me!

o you who donate to the Bay Area Rescue

Mission I say this: keep on doing what youredoing. Youre helping to change so many lives.Mine included. Youre also helping memake this holiday something special.Thank you.

The Track, Bingo and Poker:One Womans Search for Love and Acceptance.

During the coming holiday season,ogether we have the opportunity tove out the words of this passage ofove, compassion and understanding.ecause you care, hundreds will find

ood this season. Hundreds more willnd love, compassion and hope forheir lives that have taken sucherrible turns.

Please help us provide holiday

easts for the needy both feasts

for the stomach and the all importantfeasts for the soul all served upwith arms of love.

o do your vital part in payingattention to the needy, please callus at 1-888-343-FOOD

Or donate online by simply clickingon www.BayAreaRescue.org.God bless youand thank you foryour generous support during the

holidays and throughout the year.

M

I went to casinosith $2000 in

y purse.

My granddaughter Portia and Ithank you for all youve done for me.

Homeless Need Your Compassion

Online OpportunitiHelping us care for the

homeless is easier thanever, just click on our

DONATE page at

www.BayAreaRescue.o

to find out about month

automatic contribution,vehicle donations, plann

estates gifts and more!

Thanks for your

partnership!

A S p e c i a l C h r i s t m a sI n v i t a t i o n

Dear Friends,

Help us give hope and joy

more than two thousand

inner-city children at our

annual Childrens Christm

Celebration on Thursday,

December 23, 2004 from

9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Co

me to enlist yourself, you

family or volunteer group

Looking forward to

seeing you!

Dave Kachurka

Volunteer Coordinator

(510) 215-4865

DKachurka@BayAreaRescu


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NAME

ADDRESS

YES, John, you ca my gen rous support toholl c me through the

s oors du ing the holiday

se ear. He es my gift of:r $ the assistancer $2 s & othe assistancer s & othe assistancer

eals care as possible

Please

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NAME

SIGNATURE

Please mail this completed form, and return it with your Holiday gift to Bay Area Rescue Mission,

P.O. Box 1112, Richmond, CA 94802-0112. Or you may donate online at www.BayAreaRescue.org.Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. You will receive a receipt.

Bay Area Rescue MissionP.O. Box 1112

Richmond, CA 94802-0112

Dr. Elizabeth Johnston: hergiving was greater than life.

She served as a physician i Areathears, providing health care t srurting people. But perhaps ate trer

was the relief and hope she p llynersgranted to thousands of hom s dadesperately needy men, women and

children. Dr. Johnston gave a generousortion of her estate to the Bay Area Rescission. Part of Dr. Johnstons legacy gift e placed in the endowment fund and wil

continue to help the homeless and needy any years. We honor Dr. Johnston and

hank God for the blessing of her lastingenevolence.

Leave a Charitable Legacy andGive More to Your Heirs!

You can increase your estates gift to your family andeduce your inheritance tax liability by making a legacy

gift to the charity of your choice.he US Government states that nonprofit ministries, like the

Bay Area Rescue Mission, which provide beneficial services to the

ommunity, can provide tax deductible receipts to their donors.Not only that, but the government permits many legacygiving options which not only support the Mission, but grantYOU, the donor, many beneficial features. Some include:

1. Exemption from estates passing through probatecourt, taxes and legal fees.

2. Gifting of larger gifts to heirs without tax penalties.3. Planning for a fixed monthly income for life after age 70.4. Planning for health care during the last years of ones life.5. Giving an endowment gift to the Mission, knowing that

the interest from it will continue to fund the ongoingwork of the Mission for years to come.6. Naming a gift in memory of a beloved family member

or in honor of someone very special to you.

here are many ways that careful planning can helpmaximize your giving. We will be happy to help you and yourprofessional advisors consider what type of gift would be mostdvantageous for your situation. To find out more, please call

us at (510) 215-4879 or [email protected]. We will be pleased to

ssist you. You can also visit www.BayAreaRescue.org and clickon Donate and then on Planned Giving for more information.he Bay Area Rescue Mission does not give legal or tax

advice. Professional counsel and advice should be consideredwhen making significant charitable gifts.

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winter 2004 bay area hope newsletter, bay area rescue mission

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