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THE PARK VIEW REVIEW
May 2019 Newsletter
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The days are feeling longer and the weather is getting warmer, which means summer is starting to make an appearance! As much as we love the summer months, we're heartbroken because we know our college students begin to head home. During this season our need for volunteers increases significantly. Would you consider volunteering with us during this summer?
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Golf Tournament is May 31st
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The Golf Tournament is in full swing!
We have a majority of our team spots filled up so if you're looking to sign up, make sure to do it soon! We have been hard at work gathering a wide collection of prizes and auction items such as a Moore & Giles leather bag and Two Nights Stay at the Natural Bridge Historic Hotel and Conference Center. If you're interested in sponsoring or signing up your team, click the link below for more information and registration!
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Red Nose Day is a campaign to end child poverty. Our Food for Thought program will be packing bags this May with red noses to bring to attention the issue of child poverty so keep an eye out on social media for laughs! The red noses are used to encourage people to come together, share a laugh, and it gives the world something to smile about while highlighting the importance of child poverty.
“In America nearly 20% of children live in families with an income below the federal poverty threshold, and nearly twice that number live in homes that struggle to put food on the table. The issues of child poverty are complex...but children are strong and resilient. With some help, they can become empowered, healthy, productive agents of change in their own life.” By donating to our Food for Thought Program, you can create positive change in our community.
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Ladies Night
The women from Bedrock Community Church came together to throw the second annual ladies night at Park View Community Mission and it was a hit! The night consisted of good food, friends, fellowship, and laughs.
Ashley Bussiere transformed our community space so beautifully that we barely recognized it! There was painting, a jewelry station, and a place to make treats. And how could you go wrong with a chocolate fountain? Thank you to everyone who made this night possible and those who came out to make it one for the books.
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Volunteer Dinner
On April 28th, we celebrated our volunteers by hosting our second annual volunteer appreciation dinner. Words cannot express a large enough thank you to all of our volunteers.We are continually blessed by people who pour out their time, energy, and hearts to allow us to continue fulfilling our mission to end poverty in our community. Without a doubt, this dream could not be made a reality without the volunteers who are the heartbeat of this place. Thank you to all the people who have come and joined the Park View Family. We love you!
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Matching Challenge Grant Met
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The Board of Directors was given a challenge last year to enlist financial support from ten churches who would commit to contribute $100 a month for at least one year. When that total amount of $12,000 was reached in pledged support, an additional $12,000 would be added by an anonymous donor. Gordy Harper announced last month that the goal of including more churches in the Park View’s donor base was not only met, but exceeded! The matching challenge grant has been met, resulting in a $24,000 impact for Park View Community Mission. Harper said the donor who created the challenge specifically wanted to see Park View supported regularly by a broader base of local churches. “A monthly partnership with a growing number of churches means greater financial stability for the mission,” Harper said. “We’ve grown exponentially in the past few months with the addition of our Food for Thought program in the schools. It's nothing short of a miracle how God’s people have come alongside us, and we’re so grateful for every donation, from individuals, churches, businesses, and the community.”
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This year we want to showcase all the wonderful people that come through our doors and the amazing stories they carry with them. Whether its a volunteer, neighbor, staff member or partner, we hope you enjoy meeting the faces of Park View!
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Amy was nervous when she arrived at Park View for the first time. “I was a troubled person, I had landed myself into community service for a deferred charge. I was so nervous that I would only feel judgement when I walked in. But instead I felt welcomed, this is one of the very few places I’ve found peace. It’s like I cross that threshold and my problems melt away”. Amy has since become a regular volunteer with us.
“Park View makes me smile- I used to barely even look up, let alone smile”. Amy came from a place of homelessness at one point and says that she loves coming to help because she’s able to show others where she has come from and offer understanding and support. She says it’s as simple of sharing kind words or a complement and acknowledging our neighbors as valued individuals. “So many times, people have no one to talk to. This gives me the chance to be that person- to tell a joke and put a smile on their face, or just listen”.
Amy jokes saying her experience here is best summarized in the word
supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
from Mary Poppins. “Everyone here is so encouraging, very helpful, always joking, always willing to go the extra mile. When someone expresses a need, they listen. Like really listen to what they want or need and do what they can to help". We are honored to work beside Amy and love the intentionality she brings behind her every action. Welcome to the Park View Family, Amy!
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Park View Cafe Schedule
Thank you to the following groups who have served at the Park View Cafe and helped us to create a culture of love and hope for our neighbors:
Amelon UMC, Ctr. Counsel, U. of Lynchburg, LUF & CSHS
And we are looking forward to the following groups coming to serve with us this coming month:
Chestnut Hill, Mt. Airy UMC, Canteen, Mt. Olivet UMC, Timberlake, and Fort Hill UMC
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We want to shout a huge THANK YOU to our LU ROTC friends who "rucked for a reason" 3.5 miles to drop off donations to our food pantry. About 50 people participated in carrying bags full of donated goods from Liberty University to Park View Community Mission. After walking 3.5 miles, when the team arrived they unloaded their bags into shopping carts and helped to put them in the storage area. Rachel Koenig, Director of Food for Families, said, “It’s an honor, really, that they’ve chosen to engage with our organization". Thank you LU ROTC for making an impact on the community!
Read more about the experience
here
!
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We were introduced to a man and his three young boys in the beginning of the year through our Food for Families food pantry. We were able to connect with them and through conversation, were able to find out their needs, including transportation, childcare, and a job. He was working toward acquiring all of these, but things were moving slowly or had fallen through. The four of them had been staying at the Salvation Army until Miriam’s House provided a voucher for housing. He soon became one of our regular neighbors at Park View with the help various other organizations, churches, and generous individuals, he received assistance and was able to not only be approved for a place, but also received help with food, household items, and furniture. The city came together, pulling from different organizations and churches, to provide childcare, approved housing, and then a job and a car within six months. What an amazing story about the power of community!
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Paper Towels
Soap
Shampoo
Toothpaste
Razors
Shaving Cream
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Feminine products
Deodorant
Baby Wipes
Laundry Detergent
Dish Detergent
Generic Spray Cleaners
Toothbrushes
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Please join us in praying for God's wisdom, direction and provision.
“Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.”
Isaiah 58:10
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Park View Community Mission
Programs & Contact Info.
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Food for Families
Food for Thought
Community Resource Center
Life Skills Institute
Park View Cafe
Executive Director
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Rachel Koenig
Laura Bauer
Brittany Melvin
Brittany Melvin
Justine Kiger
Gordy Harper
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rachel@parkviewmission.org
laura@parkviewmission.org
brittany@parkviewmission.org
brittany@parkviewmission.org
youthmom1@hotmail.com
director@parkviewmission.org
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