JANUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER
Thank you to all who helped us fulfill our vision to meet basic needs while impacting lives for Christ during 2017.  
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2017 FACTS
  • 287 people were helped with medical prescriptions
  • 960 people were helped with travel assistance
  • 2,828 families received food assistance through vouchers/bags of food
  • 1,647 families received clothing assistance
  • 7 families were provided with rental assistance
  • 7 families received assistance with their utilities
  • 50 families received Thanksgiving baskets
  • 29 families received help with Christmas through the Adopt-A-Family Program
  • 420 families were helped through the Christmas Give-Away
  • We served 603 families for their first time seeking help
  • 237 families were housed in our homeless shelters
  • 26,742 meals were servied in our shelters

All of the services offered are 100% free. There is never a charge for any of our services, shelters or basement boutique. Your generosity allows us to continue these programs and services. Each and every one of you play a vital role in Contact Ministries' ability to impact the lives of those in our community.   

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Volunteer of the Month
CINDY WHITE

For the month of January, Contact Ministries would like to honor Cindy White. She has a daughter Alexis and together they attend Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Cindy serves on our Board of Directors and has been a blessing to Contact Ministries by volunteering in many areas since the Fall of 2011.  Cindy enjoys volunteering at Contact Ministries where she sees positive results and the successful accomplishments of our residents and those we serve. Cindy was instrumental in starting our Wednesday job skill class but that is only the beginning. Cindy blesses us with assisting at our annual Prom, Golf Outing, Back-to-School event, Thanksgiving and Christmas giveaways. She always offers an encouraging word to those she encounters.
We know Contact Ministries can always count on you!!
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DECEMBER BLESSINGS     ....
 

   
On December 13th, Westminster Presbyterian Church hosted our annual Christmas Giveaway as they have done for over 25 years. This year we were able to bless over 450 families with Christmas toys, hats, gloves and hygiene kits. Their Christmas holiday was made complete with everything needed for their dinner, including a ham.

   
Williamsville High School's students held their annual "penny drive" to bless Contact Ministries. This drive has grown to be much bigger than just pennies. The students, along with help from the faculty and community, gathered over two truck loads of items which included canned goods, hats/gloves and a generous financial donation. 
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The Monday before the giveaway is spent separating and organizing boxes of food and bags of toys as it arrives at the church. Thanks to the hard work of the many volunteers including the Williamville High School students, Staff Carpet and Isringhausen Imports employees who were literally the hands and feet of Christ. 
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TOYS ARE BAGGED AND READY TO GO!

The day before the giveaway is used to finish separating the toys and food. Then volunteers customize a bag of toys for each specific pre-registered family and their needs. This allows for smooth distribution at the giveaway.

The BIG Christmas Give-Away!

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Truly a blessed event!! 
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Featured Partner
   
 
On behalf of those we serve, we would like to send out a special THANK YOU to:
Rev. Dr. Blythe Deham Kieffer and all of the staff at Westminster Presbyterian Church for everything that goes into hosting this event - the use of your facilities, staff, time, and energy.
Westminster has supported Contact Ministries for over 39 years! We are so blessed and thankful to have their continued partnership.
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THANK YOU TO OUR CHRISTMAS COMMITTEE!!

 
Bonnie Wright, her family and group of elves, and Beth Watts for coordinating, planning, and managing the toys and volunteers throughout the three days of the Give-Away. 
 
Mike "Cowboy" Ryan for your many years of supporting Contact Ministries in so many ways, including managing all aspects of moving, set-up, and overseeing the events of Give-Away day.
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Special Thanks to....
Gift of Reading
The Gift of Reading brought a wonderful donation 
of 
new books that were given away to the children touched by the Christmas Give-Away.

           

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Toys For Tots
for the 100's of amazing toys we were able to give as gifts to the children of the families served.

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WE RELY ON OUR PARTNERS IN MINISTRY,  VOLUNTEERS AND DONATIONS TO DAILY SERVE THE SPRINGFIELD
COMMUNITY. 

WE COULD NOT DO IT WITHOUT YOU!!!
 
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ALSO IN DECEMBER...
 
A huge THANK YOU to 
LaJean Harkins and
 Our Savior's Lutheran School for the wonderful gift of photos and frames for our moms this Christmas.
 
   
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The children had fun making Christmas wreaths with the students from Our Savior's Lutheran School. 
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Thank you to Ms Carissa's 3rd grade class from 
Sherman Elementary 
School for their awesome gifts for our shelter. 
 
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THANK YOU to the following groups for taking time out of their busy schedules to donate to Contact Ministries!
 
Joshua Hughes and the 
STL Red Coats for your donation of over 300 coats, hats, and gloves!
 
Riverton Middle School for donating hygiene kits as well as volunteering in our Basement Boutique.
 
 
Pixie Power Fitness for their thought filled Christmas Donation to the women and children in our shelters. 
 
 
Lakeside Church of Christ for their donation of diapers, wet wipes and many other much needed items. 
 
 
Special thanks to 
Maggie Barton for taking time 
to decorate Christmas cookies with our Transitional Shelter Families!
 
ALPHA DELTA KAPPA
for your Toy Donation and Financial Gift.  
 
Thank you Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority 
for their financial gift as well as meals and teaching of 
Life Skills Classes to our shelters.  Check presented by Pat Carpenter 
You ladies are a true blessing! 
 

We appreciate Eastside Pride, Green Family Stores, and WICS Channel 20 for your huge coat donation!!
 
 
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  Special Thanks To....
 
Zara's Collision Center for blessing two of Contact Ministries' program graduates with safe and reliable transportation. Your faithful support of our ministry and the women and children we serve daily is truly a blessing to the entire community.
 
 
Thank you Brad and Julie!
 
UPCOMING EVENTS
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ANNUAL PROM FUNDRAISER
February 16th, 2018
Illini Country Club

6:00 pm
Cocktails

7:00 pm 
Dinner and Dessert

Auction and Dancing immediately following

Please contact Stacy at 
753-3939
Ext. 12 with questions or to purchase tickets.
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Featured Sponsor

During the 2017 football season,
Young's Security
sponsored
Touchdowns for Charity 
Every Friday night a local charity was chosen to receive a donation based on the number of touchdowns scored by local teams. 
   
Thank you
Young's Security and Jim Havey 
for your generosity in that program also, for your
excellent security service which keeps the women and children in our shelters safe!!


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Thanks for helping us restock our coat racks!!


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Thank you all who helped make a difference in the lives of so many families and children this Christmas Season!! 
 
We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of donations and generous hearts from everyone who was involved!
 
 
 
We are always very thankful for the many donations we receive on a daily basis.
 
Check out our Facebook
page and Instagram for more pictures and stories of our generous supporters!

May God bless you and your family in 2018!!  
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Current 
Needs:

~Dinner donations 
for the Emergency Shelter

- Pots and Pans

- Silverware 

- Canned meat 

- Ready-to-eat soups

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QUICK LINKS


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