Christmas Store! 12/20/2008

Don and I have found ourselves on the committee for the Christmas Store. If there's one thing I enjoy, it's committees. Another thing is Christmas Stores. So, yes - we're happy to be a part of the planning for the Breakthrough Christmas Store.

Here's a little more information on what the Christmas Store is all about (take from Mandie Eime's email):

Breakthrough is having a Christmas Store on Dec. 20 to provide our neighborhood families and homeless guests with a dignified way of purchasing gifts for their loved ones.

We need many churches, groups, offices, and families to donate toys, games, personal items and gift wrapping supplies. There are several ways you can collect the needed items:
*Organize a gift drive at your church or office
*Host a holiday party and have guests bring toys and other items
*Plan an afternoon Christmas shopping trip with your group
*Buy items yourself

You can drop off gifts, tape and wrapping paper at the Breakthrough Ministry Center, 402 N. St. Louis Ave., any day between 9am-9pm. All donations must be received by Dec. 17.

Questions? Contact Tony Escobar at 773.346.1705 or tescobar@breakthroughministries.com

In regards to donations: I was thinking that we could have a Willow Chicago - Breakthrough Christmas party. Instead of bringing gifts for each other - we could bring gifts that could be used as donations for the Christmas Store. If you have an idea or suggestion you want to share, please do!

In regards to volunteers: We're still in the planning stages of what this is going to look like for 2008. Since Don and I are new this year, we're not sure how many volunteers are usually needed or what the shifts might look like. But - we DO know that it's going to be held on Saturday, December 20th. So - if you're going to be in town then and you're looking for something to do - keep this event in mind. It would be GREAT to have you join us for a day of spreading Christmas cheer! :)

Stay tuned for more information and details. :)

Joshua Center - 11/17/08

I'm always amazed by how much the women at the Joshua Center can eat! :)

Seriously though - the homemade Macaroni and Cheese was absolutely delicious and a huge hit! The ladies came up for seconds and even thirds in some cases. Our fabulous chef, Rebecca sure does know how to make some warm and filling foods!

Our small group of volunteers was wonderful and we even had the opportunity to start a few conversations and get to know some of the guests a little better in between bites of food.

ALSO - There's great news!
We just recently learned that the Joshua Center was awarded some funding from the government to stay open 24 hours. This is a HUGE blessing! We're not sure when the 24-hour shelter will be implemented, but prior to this funding, the women had to leave the shelter and were only allowed to come back in around 7:30PM. It's so cold outside now, it'll be good for the women to not worry about how they're going to stay warm.

The next meal we're dishing up at the Joshua Center is Monday, December 15th. Let me know if you want to join. :)

Men's Facility - 11/13/2008

The meal last night was a HUGE success. Cara helped out by making some stellar Swedish Meatballs. We also had Alicia and Shelley bring some baked goods in for dessert.

The menu also consisted of some green bean casserole (of course), broccoli with cheese sauce, noodles with gravy. And everything was amazing!

We worked hard - but it was so worth it. The guys thoroughly enjoyed everything and we had SO much fun.


Here's a cute pic of the group of volunteers (to protect the privacy of guests staying at Breakthrough, we will not post pictures of them on this blog without their permission). Lauren took a bunch of photos too. Keep checking back for possibly more photos of the evening! :)

Love and Hugs!
Amanda (&Don)

Needed Items Drive - SUCCESS!

A special thanks to everyone who made a donation to the Needed Items Drive. We were able to fill up an entire vehicle with all the donations!

As we pulled up to drop off the goodies, several male guests hopped out to help carry things in - they were so grateful and helpful that we didn't have to carry a single thing!

And of course, the most wonderful part - you have helped to meet some of the most basic needs that Breakthrough guests encounter.

THANK YOU! :)

Annual Benefit Dinner great turnout!

The much-talked-about Annual Benefit Dinner took place this past Friday, November 7th at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare.

It was a wonderful evening. Not too fancy - the dress code was business casual, but the dinner was delicious and the entertainment was thoroughly enjoyable. Arloa is a talented speaker in her own right, captivating the audience with real-life stories of people who have benefited by partaking in the resources that Breakthrough Urban Ministries provides - both guests at the housing facilities and children in their coaching and tutoring programs.

Erwin McManus was thought provoking and challenged the entire audience to live a life that makes the world a better place just by being part of it. Or closer to his actual words, "live the biggest dream that allows you to do the most amount of good for the world around you". It was fantastic. Really. (He also said, "I really doubt that you'll get to heaven and God will say, "Now - why did you go to Africa and help all those orphans dying of aids?!?! I really wanted you to go to Hollywood and be a huge moviestar instead!")

Entertainment also included a sand artist - something you really need to see first-hand to fully appreciate. And one of the true highlights of the evening - the children's choir. Just beautiful!

I wish that every single one of our Breakthrough Volunteers could have joined us for the magical evening. If you weren't able to make it and would still like to donate, follow this link: https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/BreakthroughUrbanMinistries/OnlineDonation.html.

I hope to see you there next year! :)