Super Bowl XLVII!

The big game is right around the corner, this Sunday, 2/3, at 5:30 PM. Even if you don't like football, you're probably planning to watch - maybe just for the commercials? So are the guests at Breakthrough. If you don't have plans for a Super Bowl party yet, we have just the one for you! For the past few years, some of our regular male volunteers have made the game an extra special occasion at the men's facility at Breakthrough - pitching in time, money and talent to create something wonderful. They're at it again this year and looking for some more volunteers to participate and help enjoy one of the favorite events of the year.

Also, if you're able to contribute to the game-day food stash, here's a list of some of the items that are still needed. 

- malnati's pizzas (about 5 or 6)

- a keg of root beer

- wings (the guys love Harolds Chicken Shack)

- lemonade

- plates, bowls, napkins, etc.

If you'd like to volunteer or contribute some tasty morsels, please email Don at bratschie@gmail.com to work out the details.

Hope you can make it!

Email - Volunteer Updates - February 2013

Greetings, Wonderful Breakthrough Volunteers! Although February with all it's bleak and dreary weather may not be a good time to make a major life choice, it IS an excellent time to volunteer at Breakthrough Urban Ministries. And we do have some excellent volunteering options coming up (if I do say so myself). Between the Superbowl special serve and the Valentine's Day dinners, I hope you'll be able to make it to one of these upcoming events - if you can, just drop me a line so I can be expecting you.  :)

SUPERBOWL!

The big game is right around the corner, this Sunday, 2/3, at 5:30 PM. For the past few years, some of our regular male volunteers have made the game an extra special occasion at the men's facility at Breakthrough, pitching in time, money and cooking talent to create something wonderful. They're at it again this year and looking for some more volunteers and some specific donations. 

Here's a list of some of the items that are still needed. 

- malnati's pizzas (about 5 or 6)

- a keg of root beer

- wings (the guys love Harolds Chicken Shack)

- lemonade

- plates, bowls, napkins, etc.

If you'd like to volunteer or donate for one of the above items, please email Don atbratschie@gmail.com. 

FEBRUARY MEAL OPPORTUNITIES

Here are the dates and perhaps some details for this month's regularly scheduled serving opps:

• Men's Serve - Thursday, 2/14. We're concocting a special menu for this month's Valentine's Day serve for the men. Expect it to be delicious and perfect for the occasion. Send me a quick note if you'd like to join us! We'll need some help getting it all pulled together in the kitchen.
• Women's Serve - Friday, 2/15. This is going to be a pretty awesome serve this month and I'm really excited about it! We're working with the organization,Giving Them Hope to provide a special blessing to the female guests at Breakthrough's Joshua Center. We'll have the opportunity to provide beauty treatments for any guests at the Joshua Center that want one and we'll even have some goodie bags to hand out to the guests for an added bonus! Their goodie bags will include some necessary items and some special treats - details TBD. The meal itself will be paid for, but we're asking for volunteers to sponsor the goodie bags portion of the serve - and anyone can sponsor a goodie bag (you can even sponsor a bag on behalf of your significant other as a very thoughtful Valentine's Day gift...) Each goodie bag is estimated to cost $15. You can sponsor a goodie bag by giving $15 to either Melissa (from Giving Them Hope) or Amanda or Rachel on the day of the serve.  

DREAM BIG - CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Breakthrough has been working on a campaign to make a huge difference in the lives of people living in Garfield Park and the west side of Chicago by building the FamilyPlex - providing a daycare & preschool, safe places to work out, go to community classes, a cafe and even a conveniently located place to receive quality, affordable medical care by partnering with Lawndale Christian Health Center. For more information on the campaign, including status updates, and to see how you can get involved,click here.

  
Thanks everyone! Hope to see you soon!
Love and Hugs!

A&D

Women's BIG serve 2012 - recap

This year's BIG serve at the Women's facility was a great time. We had lots of things for the women to do, but mostly (and what had them the most excited) was a generous donation of some gorgeous jewelry - they could either pick out a pre-made piece, or they could make their own. Guests also had the option of painting their own gift bags to give or keep - and decorating some delicious homemade christmas cookies.

jewelry table - this is before most of the women came to dinner.

With soul-filled Christmas music playing in the background, we sat down to create together. When the food was ready, we had some great food - chicken, mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese - and of course, a really great dessert table. The ladies loved it and we all really had a great time together - it was easy to feel the holiday spirit in the air - we even ended up having an impromptu dance party. Gotta love it when something that cool happens.

soul train!

the happy group - the picture was optional (sorry for the blur - it was taken from my phone).

Email - Volunteer Updates - January 2013

Greetings, Wonderful Breakthrough Volunteers! 
If you're reading this - you've survived the holidays. We have too. And we're back to serving at Breakthrough. Excuse the belated volunteer email this month - my beautiful newborn lad has kept my mind somewhat occupied. But I'm excited to see you or hear from you this month - so thanks for your patience, all...  ;)

JANUARY MEAL OPPORTUNITIES

Here are the dates and perhaps some details for this month's serving opps:

• Men's Serve - Thursday, 1/10. Gumbo or maybe jambalaya & possibly brownies. I'm going it alone this month as Don is working Thursday night. I could really use some help dishing out delicious (mostly pre-made) morsels. Please take pity on me. (meet out there about 7)  ;)
• Women's Serve - Friday, 1/18. We're back to our standard menu this month. Last month was awesome, complete with an impromptu Soul Train session.

DREAM BIG - CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Breakthrough has been working on a campaign to make a huge difference in the lives of people living in Garfield Park by building the FamilyPlex - providing safe places to work out, go to community classes and even receive quality, affordable medical care by partnering with Lawndale Christian Health Center. For more information on the campaign, including status updates, and to see how you can get involved,click here.

  
BLOG
Read up on how the BIG serves went from last month - check out our blog.  It also lists upcoming serving dates and other ways to get involved at Breakthrough Urban Ministries too.

Thanks everyone! Hope to see you soon!
Love and Hugs!

A&D