Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Breakthrough Gift Catalog

We are especially excited to offer you a great way to GIVE this holiday season.
Looking for areas to contribute? You can now give through our NEW gift catalog. SHOP NOW!
This winter is forecasted to be record cold with blizzard conditions, and if you’re homeless in Chicago,
you have fewer options for places to go this year. Each year, it costs 1.9 million to impact the lives of homeless adults. So far we have raised 1.65 million of that. Help us close the gap!
Consider a donation to Breakthrough as you ponder your year-end giving. We need supporters like you to ensure that the programs at Breakthrough will continue strong in 2012 .
Donate Now (email)
Sincerely,
The Breakthrough Team

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Email - Volunteer Updates - December 2011

Greetings, lovely Breakthrough Volunteers!
I can't believe it's December already! We're gearing up for this year's Big Serve opportunities at both the men's and the women's facilities. Please take some time to read about what each Big Serve opp may entail and let me know if and how you can help out! We'd love for you to be involved in these opportunities in any way possible.  Hope to see you soon!

DECEMBER MEN'S MEAL DATE CHANGE
For December 2011 only, the Men's meal has been moved from the 2nd Thursday (12/8) to Tuesday, 12/20. If you were already planning to join us on the original date, please update your calendar and schedule to this new date. We are so very sorry if this causes any complications or problems for you - please contact me if you have any questions or concerns about this new serving date.


DECEMBER MEAL OPPORTUNITIES  
Here are the details for the meal serving ops this month:

  • Tuesday, December 20th - Men's Facility 
    • This month is our annual 'Big Serve'! We need tons and tons of volunteers to make this month happen! We've been told that this is one of the highlights of the holiday season for many of the guests that stay at the Breakthrough Ministry Center. For the first time in many of their lives, they have the opportunity to experience restaurant style dining. So please consider joining us and bring your friends, small group, work team, neighbors, condo board - anyone that's interested! In addition to volunteers, we also need side dishes, desserts and financial contributions for the meal. Please let me know if you can donate time, food or money.  ;)
      • (Great ideas for side dishes are corn casserole, mashed potatoes, salads, etc.)
  • Friday, December 16th - Women's Facility (AKA Joshua Center)
    • This is also the month of the 'Big Serve' for the women's facility! Every year, we lead quite a few crafts, bring some music and have delicious morsels to help get everyone in the Holiday spirit. We need people willing to lead a craft, bring music (either live or CDs) and helpers in the kitchen. Also - if you'd like to bring a side dish or dessert, just let me know! 
Let me know if you'd like to sign up for either or both of these meal times and I'll make sure to reserve a spot for you - and feel free to invite friends that might be interested. Keep in mind that even if you can't make it to either of these meal times, you can still contribute financially or maybe prepare some food ahead of time for the serve.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Christmas Store 2011

Happy Holidays, Breakthrough Volunteers!
Below, you'll find some important information for Breakthrough's Christmas Store this year. It's being held Saturday, December 17th, at Breakthrough Urban Ministry Center (402 N St Louis Ave).

Breakthrough still needs donations and volunteers to make this event a success. More details (including shopping lists for Target and Walmart) are forwarded below. Please take some time to consider how you can help make this the best Christmas Store yet!  :)

If you're volunteering, please sign up with Amy Duesing (volunteer@breakthrough.org). Volunteers are needed to help wrap gifts, assist shoppers, provide hospitality and bake holiday treats. If you're able to provide some new gifts for the store, you can have them shipped directly to Breakthrough, drop them off at Breakthrough, or drop them off at our place and we'll make sure they get to Breakthrough on time.

Let me know if you have any questions or fun ideas to make this even better.

Thanks, everyone and Merry Christmas!  :)
Love and Hugs -
Amanda (& Don)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Breakthrough Urban Ministries 

Dear Breakthrough Friends,
Breakthrough's Annual Christmas Store is just 2 weeks away! The Christmas Store empowers community residents and our homeless guests with a dignified way of selecting and purchasing gifts for their loved ones. Shoppers are able to purchase new toys and gifts at a discounted rate with earned "Breakthrough Bucks" or with actual money.
There are several ways you can get involved! We need volunteers to bake holiday treats, host a toy drive, volunteer at the store, or plan an afternoon shopping trip. Christmas Store volunteers are encouraged to support the store with new toys or gifts. For ideas, please check out the Breakthrough Wish Lists at Target and Walmart. Items ordered online ship directly to Breakthrough.
We appreciate your support of Breakthrough Urban Ministries. Merry Christmas!
Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Amy Duesing at volunteer@breakthrough.org for further details.