November 2005

Newsletter of the Bay Area Rescue Mission

Your generosity provides

food, shelter and
comprehensive care for
the needy and homeless
in the Bay Area...
see inside.

Photo credit to DeJong Photography Inc.

CHANGING LIVES FOR A BRIGHTER TOMORROW

 om e for
Coming H e Holidays
th Dear Friend, y single day, th
e
stre et tr ying to survive ever
e on the intless
women who liv anks seems po
To the men and y of gi ving th
y. To them, a da munity
ay s ar e ju st like any other da sa nd s of pe ople in our com
holid realistic. Thou
as di nn er at Grandma’s is un . A majority of th
em have
and Christ m go ho m e to
apartment to d. It’s
no w do n’ t ha ve a house or an nd ed fa m ily members. It’s sa
right one their exte
th ei r clos es t relatives, let al
lost ties w ith
there is hope. liness, I am so
depressing. But dr ug ad di ction and lone
homelessnes s,
the despair of n a home
in g fir st ha nd ve m en , w om en and childre
S ee gi
ays. I want to sity,
t, es pe ci ally during the holid ar . B ec au se of your genero
suppor ye
grateful for your perience each
illio ns in our country ex r those who ne
ed
e jo y of th e ho lidays th at m
rve as a tem porary home fo
and th Mission. We se serve as a
tion at th e B ay Area Rescue er an d a ki nd word. We also
that is an op ed a warm dinn
m ily fo r those who ne nt living.
shelter. We serv
e as a fa
an d w om en for self-sufficie
develops men n are the
ppor t sy st em that trains and m el es s. W om en and childre
su e ho
ng needs of th ed to care for th
ese
lp in g us to m eet the changi in cr easi ng ne
Your support is
he d we’ve seen an
th e ho m eles s population an , w e can help them
get on
g se gm en t of n. To ge th er
fastest growin en and childre
fe r he lp to more wom r own.
individuals. Our
goal is to of
cr ea te a lo vi ng home of thei
d learn how to hungry, needy,
fe et , fin d a w ell-paying job an re ach out to the
their l yo u do to
y thankful for al more to our
se as on , D eb ra and I are trul k to ge th er , we can invite even
This holiday rea. As we wor
ri sh ed pe op le of the Bay A
impove
homeless and
hout the year.
e fo r th e ho lid ays and throug
hom meless,
e hungry and ho
On behalf of th

nderson
John & Debra A

Thanks for helping us provide a home for the homeless this holiday season! Page 2
Changing Lives –
Changing Families
erry and his older sister, Lily, wanted Terry to be,” Lily says. Not and pray we continue to grow
T grew up in a Christian home with
two loving parents. Their parents
long after, Terry entered our long-
term recovery program to get help
in the Lord.”
Terry agrees, “Without the
were together until their dad passed with his alcoholism and spiritual Mission, I don’t know where I would
away in the late 70’s, but mom and emptiness. Though sobriety and be now. This place is all about beating
dad made sure to raise Lily and Terry spiritual growth are never easy, Terry your addiction and finding Jesus
to love the Lord. And during their has battled the storm and overcome Christ, but you can’t do that alone.
childhood, both of them did. his addiction. And Lily couldn’t be a It’s been a real wonderful experience
“He was the brother with the more grateful sister. for me, and if it could work for me, it
biggest heart,” Lily says of Terry. “He “I thank God for this place, could work for anyone.”
was always there for me. When my because I loved my brother, but I At a time of year when we
cat was sick, he went with me to the didn’t like who he had become. I celebrate the blessing of family, we
hospital. My cat died in his arms and know if it weren’t for the Bay Area are so grateful for your support that
Terry comforted me. He was always Rescue Mission, my brother would be brought this family back together
very generous.” dead. But now I have my brother again. From Lily and Terry and their
When Terry was out of high back!” family, thank you for the love you’ve
school and attending Bible College, As a result of Terry’s transformation, shown them by supporting the Bay
he developed a medical condition in Lily wholeheartedly shares, “I give Area Rescue Mission.
which he lost his hair in patches all God the glory and thank God every
over his body. Unfortunately, to deal day. I’m just so grateful in my heart
with the psychological and emotional
damage of his condition, Terry began
to drink. “He left the Lord and went to
the bottle for 30 years,” Lily explains.
A little over five years ago, Lily
went to live with their mother whose
health was steadily deteriorating.
Terry came to live with them also, but
his drinking continued to increase.
“It became too much for my mom,”
Lily reflects. “He was angry and
belligerent. So, I gave him the
option. Either get help
or leave.”
Lily and her mom
listened to The Voice of
Rescue every Sunday, and
through the broadcast God
answered their prayer for
Terry to receive help. “My
mother just had a feeling
that the Bay Area Rescue
Mission was where God
Photo credit to DeJong Photography Inc.

Page 3 Your generousity allows for families like Terry’s to experience restoration!
A Season of Thanksgiving
& Generosity
The holidays are such a special time of year at the
Bay Area Rescue Mission. From our Christmas
present giveaway to our special Christmas dinner
together, your support helps us create an
year. On behalf of the poor and homeless men,
women and children who celebrate the holidays
with us, thank you for making the season
much warmer and brighter for them. Your
atmosphere of family, love and thanksgiving every compassion is vital and appreciated.

Kids in our King’s

Club make beautiful
Christmas ornaments
to hang on their tree
Your generosity allows us at home or on
to provide Christmas presents for the Christmas
each of our residents and their children. For trees scattered
so many of the kids, seeing a gift with their own throughout
name on it means the world to them. the Mission.

Holiday Donation
Shoppers Guide
Gifts for Homeless Guests
❄ Baby Formula & Diapers
Having men, women and ❄ Warm Jackets & Gloves
children at the Bay Area ❄ Perfume & Cologne
Rescue Mission during
❄ Scarves & Hats
the holidays is only
❄ Socks & Underwear
possible through
❄ Study Bibles
your caring support.
Thanks for giving ❄ Toiletry & Personal Hygiene Kits
them nutritious Food Drive
meals and the ❄ 2,000 turkeys
blessing of hope! ❄ 2,000 hams
❄ Canned meat, (tuna or chicken)
Our President and CEO, John Anderson, ❄ Canned vegetables
helps distribute Christmas presents to our (corn, green beans or peas)
men’s recovery program residents. If you’d like ❄ Pancake Syrup
to volunteer and be a part of our special
Toy Drive
Christmas celebration, please call Dave K, our
❄ 3,000 New Unwrapped Gifts
Volunteer Coordinator, at (510) 215-4865!
for Boys and Girls
❄ Ages 7-16
❄ Valued around $15 each
To sign up for a Holiday Collection
Barrel, call John Lee or Mike Starr at
Photo credit to DeJong Photography Inc.
(510) 215-4558

Your support allows men, women and children to experience the joys of Christmas! Page 4 Page 5 We look forward to serving with you for years and years to come.
 The Volunteer News Corner

The Gift that Keeps on Giving!

Life is full of varying circumstances that just like in the movie It’s a Wonderful Life by
seldom display their diversity as much volunteering at the Children’s Gospel
as during the Christmas season. Christmas Party. Why stay Home Alone?
Perhaps you enjoy the tradition as Your involvement can open the door
many of us do, of curling up in our of a young person’s life to after-
living room on a cold winter’s night school tutoring, bible studies,
to watch a movie like Home Alone, summer camps, good nutrition,
Miracle on 42nd Street or It’s a the development of social skills
Wonderful Life. and plenty of good clean fun.
At the same time, many are The gift that keeps on giving.
experiencing the blight of hunger, As we reach out to the young
the vulnerability of homelessness during this season of hope, we are
and risks associated with inner Rev. David S. Kachurka encouraged by your support and the
city life. Volunteer Coordinator promise of Jesus, “I have come that
You can make a huge difference in the lives of they may have life and that they may have
homeless and at-risk inner city children and send it more abundantly”.
them on the way to a Miracle on 42nd Street of their own.
By providing one or more gifts or even starting a toy drive Your participation (see other opportunities below) will
at your business, church, school or civic organization you be a highly welcomed gift! Please call or e-mail today.
can give the gift that keeps on giving.
Thanks for Touching Lives
Christmas Toy Drive: by Volunteering,
November 15 - December 19, 2005
Needed: $15.00 gifts for children ages 7-16 Dave K.
(510) 215-4865
(unwrapped please)
DaveK@BayAreaRescue.org
You can even go a step further and experience the joy

Thanksgiving Food-bag Giveaway: Christmas Food-bag Giveaway:

November 22, 2005 December 22, 2005
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
200 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond 200 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond
Great Thanksgiving Banquet: Children’s Gospel Christmas Party:
November 23, 2005 December 23, 2005
11:00 a.m. (Chapel) 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Thanksgiving Meal) Richmond Civic Center Auditorium
200 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond 403 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond

We have numerous volunteer opportunities this holiday season... get involved! Page 6
A Legacy
of Caring
ob and Bea Robertson are caring
B people who love to share the
Gospel and its message of Rescue,
and their heart-felt desire to minister
and help others found an opportunity
for service when friends introduced
them to the Bay Area Rescue Mission.
Bob recalls, “My eyes were
opened to areas in which God was
working that I had no idea of. It was
amazing to see people from the street
come in where they are loved and
cared for. It was wonderful to see lives
transformed by the gospel! From then
on I had a desire to support God’s
work at the Bay Area Rescue Mission.
My testimony is not that I was saved
in one, but I was converted in a
rescue mission.”
Soon after their introduction to
the Bay Area Rescue Mission, the
Robertsons began supporting the
ministry financially and by
volunteering. Their efforts led Bob to
join the Board of Directors 20 years
ago and he continues to volunteer
tirelessly in this way.
Page 7 Your generous planned gifts ensure the longevity of our outreach to the poor.
Recently,
Bob and Bea made
a decision to take their love for the
Mission to a new level. For years, they
had witnessed the caring that takes
place every day. They had seen the
changed lives and, as Bob explained,
they were committed to “ensuring
that the Bay Area Rescue Mission
would be able to work with needy and
homeless people long after we have
gone. So we created our own special
retirement plan that will support the
Bay Area Rescue Mission after we
have retired to glory.”
Bob and Bea worked with their
advisors and the Mission’s staff to
prepare a Legacy Gift by putting the
Mission in their will. By making this
planned gift, they know they are
doing their part to guarantee that
lives will be changed at the Bay Area
Rescue Mission for generations. “Our
greatest joy as supporters of the
Mission is hearing the testimonies
graduates give of how their lives have
been changed, and to see how broken
and
undone lives
have been made whole again.”
The Robertsons know that their
legacy gift will perpetuate this kind of
caring. Lives will be changed. People
will be saved, because people like
Bob and Bea care. When sharing for
this article Bob summed up their
motivation and exhorted all Mission
supporters by recalling I Timothy 6:18,
“Do good...be rich in good deeds...
and be generous and willing to
share.” Bob and Bea Robertson
invite everyone to join them in
creating a Legacy of Caring.
Plan Your
Estate Today!
Did you know the State of California has
a plan to spend your estate?
They do! If you haven’t prepared your
plans …the State will!
We have an extremely helpful brochure,
MAKING YOUR CHOICES KNOWN,
available. It will help you know what
planning you must have completed and
what to do with your plans once done.
This information is a must.
To get a free copy, contact either:
Debra Anderson
(510) 215-4879
DebraAnderson@BayAreaRescue.org
OR
Randy Schackmann
(510) 215-4867
RandyS@BayAreaRescue.org

2114 Macdonald Avenue
Richmond, CA 94801
(510) 215-4555
(888) 343-FOOD
www.BayAreaRescue.org
info@BayAreaRescue.org
Our Board of Directors
C.N. “Gus” Petsas
Chairman
Harry “Hap” Parks
Vice-Chairman
David Van Zomeren, Treasurer
Jerry Hammer, Secretary
John Anderson
Malcolm Lee
Bob Robertson
Andy Santamaria
Lip-Bu Tan
Tune in to the Bay Area
Rescue Mission’s “Voice
of Rescue” each Sunday
on the following stations:
KDYA, 1190 AM, 7:45–8:00 a.m.
KFAX, 1100 AM, 9:30–9:45 a.m.
KDIA, 1640 AM, 11:30–11:45 a.m.
Your support contributed to a mother’s answered prayers...
The Strength of
a Mother’s Love
or five years, Chris lived three blocks it’s an amazing blessing,” Chris says. “They
F away from his mother, but never said a
word to her. He was either on drugs or
go above and beyond to help you here.”
And it’s truly all because of your support
figuring out how he could get more. But and partnership.
one day when Chris saw a flyer on a nearby Chris is preparing for Thanksgiving at
table that read, “If you don’t have a friend the Mission and is excited about the
in the world, you can find one here.” As you upcoming holidays. He’s especially grateful
can guess, “here” was the Bay Area Rescue to be able to celebrate them with his family
Mission. and most importantly, his mom. “Now I tell
Chris had never heard of a place her, ‘Hey Mom, I love you.’ I love being able
specifically designed to help people. So he to say that. For her to forgive me was so
stopped by and stayed for a couple of days. beautiful. This place has really changed my
Every night, he would hear about our long- life.”
term recovery program and how we wanted Thanks, again, for your support of the
to help men like him get off of drugs and Mission. God uses you to bring healing to
reconnect with their families. individual lives and restoration to families
Chris decided to stay at the Mission, in our community.
and sixty days into our program, he knew it
was time to call his mom. He was very
nervous, but knew he needed to do it. He
was astounded by her response when he
asked for her forgiveness. She told him she
had been praying for him every day and
knew that eventually, he would come
around. Now, Chris visits his mom regularly
at her new home in Oregon.
“She’s helped me stay strong,” Chris
says. “To stay clean and off drugs. She sent
letters and cards to me every day while I
was in the program.”
It has been three years since Chris came
to the Mission and he is amazed at how far
he’s come. Through the Mission’s recovery
program, he has earned a degree from
Contra Costa College and a certificate of
completion from our culinary arts program,
he also joined our staff as the Assistant
Kitchen Manager.
“To actually have a place like this
Mission with housing and to support you,
Page 8
P.O. Box 1112 • Richmond, CA 94802
www.BayAreaRescue.org
Page 1 7:01 PM 9/7/05 BAY116 #10 carrier envelope
BAY116 #9 reply envelope 8/31/05 10:28 AM Page 1

My Gift to Please
Place
Stamp

Help the Homeless! Here

NO511

P.O. Box 1112

Richmond, CA 94802
BAY116 2-up reply device 9/7/05 6:35 PM Page 1

My Gift to Help the Homeless

P.O. Box 1112

Richmond, CA 94802
If you would like to charge
your gift, please use the form below
or donate online at
www.BayAreaRescue.org

For Your Convenience!

Many friends have requested that we provide them with the ability to make contributions using a credit card.
To assist you in your credit card giving, please provide the following information:

Credit card number ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Exp. date ______________________________ The card I am using today is: ❏ Visa ❏ MasterCard ❏ American Express ❏ Discover

Verification code_______________________ (Located on the signature panel of your credit card.)

Signature ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone number __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Email address __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Or you may donate online at www.BayAreaRescue.org

My Gift to Help the Homeless

P.O. Box 1112

Richmond, CA 94802
If you would like to charge
your gift, please use the form below
or donate online at
www.BayAreaRescue.org

For Your Convenience!

Many friends have requested that we provide them with the ability to make contributions using a credit card.
To assist you in your credit card giving, please provide the following information:

Credit card number ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Exp. date ______________________________ The card I am using today is: ❏ Visa ❏ MasterCard ❏ American Express ❏ Discover

Verification code_______________________ (Located on the signature panel of your credit card.)

Signature ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone number __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Email address __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Or you may donate online at www.BayAreaRescue.org
BAY116 2-up reply device 9/7/05 6:35 PM Page 2

Help Create Hope for Today and Tomorrow!

Please check all that apply (be sure you’ve included your contact info on this response). Thank you and God bless.
❏ I have already included the Bay Area Rescue Mission in my will, trust or estate plans
❏ Tell me about becoming a charter member of the Bay Area Rescue Mission Legacy Society.
❏ I would like someone to contact me about planned giving options
❏ Send me the Bay Area Rescue Mission’s 3-minute estate preparation test
Please send me information about:
❏ Making a gift through my will or trust
❏ Charitable giving with annuities
❏ General information on estate savings through charitable giving

Help Create Hope for Today and Tomorrow!

Please check all that apply (be sure you’ve included your contact info on this response). Thank you and God bless.
❏ I have already included the Bay Area Rescue Mission in my will, trust or estate plans
❏ Tell me about becoming a charter member of the Bay Area Rescue Mission Legacy Society.
❏ I would like someone to contact me about planned giving options
❏ Send me the Bay Area Rescue Mission’s 3-minute estate preparation test
Please send me information about:
❏ Making a gift through my will or trust
❏ Charitable giving with annuities
❏ General information on estate savings through charitable giving
BAY116 Insert 9/7/05 6:44 PM Page 1

Dear Friends of the Bay Area Rescue Mission,

The holiday season is here and I want to take this opportunity to personally thank
you for your prayers, volunteerism, and support this year! Without you, we would not
be able to provide meals for the hungry or shelter for the homeless…you are truly
rescuing lives here in the Bay Area. THANK YOU!
As we enter this important time of the year I want you to know why we must keep
the doors of the Mission open for people. It is crucial during the holiday season for two
reasons: first, during Thanksgiving and Christmas, more people come to us in need of
shelter and food because they have no place and no one else to turn to for help… and
secondly, during Thanksgiving and Christmas more homeless, hungry, and desperately
needy men and women find themselves in such great despair that they often turn to
desperate means – sometimes acts of crime and even suicide.
Let me share a very personal story with you…
Several years ago, at Thanksgiving, a twenty-nine year old data processing
professional who was struggling with a cocaine addiction became homeless. Even
though he had been successful in business, his personal life was a mess. He knew that
there had to be an answer to the loneliness, drug-addiction, and despair that filled his
life. So, he walked away from a very good job, gave away his possessions, and began a
journey to find a solution for his despair.
He traveled across the country searching for answers but ended up homeless and
broke without the solution he was looking for. He thought the best thing that could
happen to him was to die…but God had a different plan. He wandered into a Rescue
Mission, and God dramatically changed his life!
That was 23 years ago – and the story is mine. If you ever wondered whether your
help really makes a difference, I can personally say, “Absolutely, generosity like yours,
saved my life!” And so, as Thanksgiving and Christmas bring thousands of homeless and
hungry people to the Bay Area Rescue Mission this holiday season, I hope that you will
join me and my family in making a special gift to help them find life-changing help.
Thank you in advance for your generosity, together, we are changing lives for a
brighter tomorrow. May the Lord richly bless you and your loved ones.

Sincerely Yours,

John M. Anderson
President/CEO
Bay Area Rescue Mission

2114 Macdonald Avenue ● Richmond, CA 94801

510.215.4555 ● (888).343.FOOD ● FAX 510.215.0178 ● www.BayAreaRescue.org