Thanksgiving Needs Turkeys

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2 At Muncie Mission we believe in observing Thanksgiving by setting time aside for the expression of gratitude to God and the celebration of the blessings given by Him. Our objective each year is to observe this special time by providing a Thanksgiving meal to our community. This is not possible without the generous service of many dedicated volunteers. Thanksgiving Needs Turkeys This year, the meal will be served on Thanksgiving Day, November 6th at noon. Prior to the meal, at 11:30 AM, we will gather in the chapel for a time of giving thanks. Afterwards, all of our guests will sit down to a bountiful feast. While the meal is being served at the Mission, a host of additional volunteers will venture out to deliver meals to individuals who are homebound. Last year, more than 150 meals were served in the dining room and more than 00 meals were delivered to homes. We cannot express how much we appreciate those who sacrifice time on the holiday to come serve with us at the Mission. For their sacrifice and service, we say Thank You from our hearts! #10 Cans Green Beans #10 Cans Sweet Potatoes Fresh Vegetables: Carrots, Celery, Radishes Olives Fresh Fruit: Apples, Oranges, Bananas Homemade Pumpkin Pies Want to get involved? We could use your help during the holiday season to provide our residents and community with a happy time. Join family and friends for a rewarding volunteering experience during the holidays this year. We certainly want you here! Opportunities during the Holidays: Food Preparation Serving Dinner Delivering Meals Decorating Tables Helping with Clean-up Visit our website or call ext. 30 to volunteer!

3 There are many ways you can help your community during the holiday season. Thanksgiving and Christmas are times when we need many helping hands and loving hearts to help us bless the city we live in. If you or anyone you know would like to help in any way, we would love to have you! Wish List Sponsors The residents will make wish lists for Christmas naming three gifts they would like to receive. Each gift costs about $15. We invite individuals, families, churches or organizations to sponsor one of the residents and get them the items from their wish list. If you would like to be a part of this and sponsor one of our residents, please call ext. 6. And don t forget to wrap the gifts! Gifts for Families There are people in our community who come to the Mission because they struggle with supporting their family in daily life. We do our best to help those families throughout the entire year but their hurting becomes even more evident during the holiday season. If you are able to give, we are in need of everyday items to provide these families with. Paper towels, toilet paper, laundry and dish soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes and other items are appreciated. It is also nice for people to receive scented lotion and shower gels for something a little more exciting. Many people place these items in laundry baskets to give out to the families. This has proven to be successful in brightening the days of these families in need. Families, churches, classes and anyone who wants to help out, we would appreciate your giving to these families. Please call ext. 6. Christmas Meal The Christmas Meal will be hosted on December 0th at noon. We could use some volunteers! If you would like to help serve a Christmas meal, please call ext. 30.

4 Fairlawn Church Muncie Mission is blessed by volunteers who faithfully sacrifice time to serve the needs of the Mission. They lovingly support their community and the Mission by providing much needed help on a regular basis. We wish to express our deep appreciation for their efforts and for the invaluable service they provide. Thank you, Volunteers! Ezell Coates Since February 015, Ezell Coates has assumed a vital role at the Mission. On Wednesdays and Fridays of each week, he volunteers to pick up food that has been donated to our kitchen. His generosity and kindness is much appreciated. We are immensely grateful for this star volunteer! One of our volunteer groups is the Fairlawn church group. They volunteer to cook lunches for the Mission residents. They have been faithful in volunteering here since July of 014. Thank you, Fairlawn for all you do! Monte Hitchcock For almost three years, Monte Hitchcock has volunteered in assisting with food services at the Mission. Monte is a familiar face in the community and works at Kirk s Bike Shop in downtown Muncie. Though he is modest about his achievements, he is rated number one in the world for his age group in triathlon competitions! He is a servant with a great heart and we applaud his contributions to Muncie Mission!

5 Christmas Needs Ham On Christmas Eve, the staff and residents of the Mission gather together for a traditional time of celebrating Christ s birth. This year, that tradition will continue. Each resident will receive a personal gift purchased for him by people in the community and a Christmas meal will be served as part of the celebration. After the meal is served and the tables are cleared, games and puzzles will be brought out and laughter will be shared. #10 Cans Green Beans Fresh Vegetables: Carrots, Celery Fresh Fruit: Apples, Oranges, Bananas Assorted Homemade Pies Christmas Goodies: Cookies, Candy, ETC. OTHER NEEDS: Hygiene Supplies First Aid Items Paper Products Bath Towels & Washcloths There is a contagious sense of joy and excitement during the Christmas season. The Mission is abuzz with activity as the Muncie community opens hearts and hands through donations of time, finances and gifts for residents. The celebration of Jesus s birth brings a palpable sense of joy and hope as volunteers work to prepare for the annual celebration. This season would not be possible without the selfless individuals who give their resources to make Christmas special for so many. We are grateful for all who so generously give and look forward to sharing the 015 Christmas season with you.

6 In the summer of 014, inside the county jail, Dustin Kirby was jumped and hit in the head. The jail staff took him for an MRI and found something they did not expect: a baseball-sized tumor growing just over and behind one ear. Somebody was looking over me a long time before I cared, says Dustin today. Dustin grew up in a small town with a hard-working single mom who poured love on him and his sister, but by age 11, Dustin felt a need to fit in with the bigger, cool kids in the neighborhood. After a family tragedy when he was 18, he found his way to prescription pills. Dustin was trying to numb himself, and he succeeded for a long time. Fifteen years later, he was unexpectedly released from a year in jail with nowhere to go. Dustin credits his mom with making her best and hardest decision at that point by not letting him stay with her. It forced him to go to the Muncie Mission. In the first day he was there, he realized that if he did not stay to complete the recovery program, he would be put back in jail for a very long time. His mind was made up. Being here has kept Dustin clean and sober, has led him to forge bonds with true friends who desire to change as much as he does, and has deepened his understanding of who he is. I m not just a worthless drug addict, says Dustin. I can do something with my life. One of Dustin s favorite verses, confirming the possibility of change, is I Corinthians 13:11: When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. Dustin also learned that he has both weaknesses and strengths; these new thoughts have pushed Dustin toward pursuing a dream of becoming an addictions counselor himself. After surgery last year, Dustin had a respite, but his tumor is starting to grow again. As he begins chemotherapy and radiation, Dustin is scared but secure. He has surrendered to His Father and knows that His plan is good. Please pray for Dustin as he heads into a new phase of his journey with God; for healing and strength, for guidance, and for his heart to remain open to God s truths. Brian Bell Brian had never spent more than two months sober in his adult life. For years he managed to keep a semblance of a normal life, but in 01 everything fell apart. Because of his alcohol abuse, he lost his home, and he could not keep a job; eventually he found himself living in his storage unit with winter coming on. His body was in crisis from the constant alcohol intake, to the point that he had seizures regularly and even was in a coma for several days. His heartbroken family was unable to help him because of his anger, violence and inability to stop drinking. Finally, he went to the Mission, knowing that his storage unit was too cold to live in through the winter. There he found help working through his self-worth and learning about forgiveness, and for the first time in his life he had hope that things could be different. He found a job through his church family, his ex-girlfriend is now his wife, and he has been sober and productive for the past three years. In his sobriety, Brian has been able to continue his college education and in his spare time write a children s book entitled, The Angel that Couldn t Fly. Pray for Brian and his wife to remain firmly grounded in God s truth. Giving Tips for Wise Men and Women Year-End Giving Year s end is around the corner have you taken the time to plan your most important stewardship responsibilities? A legacy gift can serve as a lasting expression of your love and care for the homeless and desperate families that we serve. Charitable gift annuities provide tax deductions and fixed income for life as well as a way to pass on your values to the next generation. If you d like more information on charitable gift annuities and other ways to help those in need through your estate planning, contact the Muncie Mission to request a free booklet titled Giving from the Heart: A Legacy that Lasts Forever. Call (765) and ask for Frank Baldwin, Executive Director (ext. ), or Don Ford, Director of Development (ext. 4). Visit our website for more information: /donate/legacy-giving. Integrity Honesty Trust