CONTACT:
Rev. John Anderson
Bay Area Rescue Mission
510-215-4555
510-215-0178
info@bayarearescue.org
www.BayAreaRescue.org

When business people, church leaders and civic minded volunteers get together to fight for a cause, it's probably going to be a day to remember. For forty-two years, the Bay Area Rescue Mission has been helping homeless mothers and their children get back on their feet and on the road to health and wholeness. The 12th Annual New Life Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, May 14th at the Rossmoor Golf Course in Walnut Creek, and hundreds of community and business leaders will be on hand to help raise funds for the Mission's program that is dedicated specifically to help women and children in need of shelter.

“Without the support of generous sponsors, golfers and volunteers from all over the community, the Bay Area Rescue Mission would not be able to offer this vital life-saving service to the homeless women and children who come through our doors every day,” said Rev. John M. Anderson , Mission CEO. “The support we receive through the New Life Golf Tournament makes such a difference in the lives of women and children who need a refuge. That's why we are so grateful for each participant in this event.”

Rev. Anderson said that there are still some spaces open for golfers and corporations to enlist in this year's tournament, which begins with a 10 am registration, lunch and a noon shotgun start. “What makes our event so unique is that we pamper our golfers with one of the best run tournaments in the greater Bay Area featuring multiple prizes, gifts and culinary faire all day long, ending in a an gourmet banquet catered by the Bay Area Rescue Mission’s Culinary Department. Long time sponsors rave about the exceptional quality of our event, thanks to generous donations from the community,” remarked Anderson.

Chevron Richmond Refinery, Admail Direct Mail and Marketing and Richmond Sanitary Service have already enlisted as sponsors for this year's event as major underwriters. Overaa Construction, Berkeley Cement, Inc., The Mechanics Bank, Petsas and Hill, CPA’s, Fehr and Peers, and other businesses and organizations will also sponsor the event.

To receive more information about the Bay Area Rescue Mission’s 12th Annual New Life Golf Tournament, call the Special Events office at: 510-215-4889 or go to www.BayAreaRescue.org. and click on New Life Golf Tournament.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Rev. John Anderson
Bay Area Rescue Mission
510-215-4555
510-215-0178
info@bayarearescue.org
www.BayAreaRescue.org

From serving a meal at Thanksgiving, to teaching a 25-year old man to read, volunteers are essential to the Bay Area Rescue Mission.

“Without the support of generous volunteers from all over the community, the Bay Area Rescue Mission would not be able to offer the same level of service to the homeless men, women and children who come through our doors every day,” said Rev. John M. Anderson, Mission CEO. “The simplest act of kindness makes such a difference in the lives of these people, and we are so grateful for every one who comes by to help.”

One such volunteer is Kari Gallo. For the last thirty years she has been coming to the Bay Area Rescue Mission to help staff members care for the homeless and hungry. Says Gallo, “I have worked in the business offices, stuffing envelopes. I have helped with major events like donor appreciation banquets. These days I help the Mission ’s culinary staff to prepare the dining room and serve the meals to homeless men, women and children. It gives me such joy to serve God in this way, helping people in need.  I cannot imagine being anywhere else.”

And with the help of volunteers, the Bay Area Rescue Mission provides more than 1 million meals every year, provides 75,000 nights of shelter beds, and distributes thousands of food boxes to the community.  During the last ten years, the number of volunteers enlisted to carry out these services has increased from an average of 150 per month to an average of 500.

For more information about the Bay Area Rescue Mission, please call 888-343-FOOD or go to www.BayAreaRescue.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Rev. John Anderson
Bay Area Rescue Mission
510-215-4555
510-215-0178
info@bayarearescue.org
www.BayAreaRescue.org

“UPS Delivers Good News to the Bay Area Rescue Mission ”

San Francisco Bay Area, California ; January 19, 2007 – The Bay Area Rescue Mission received a generous $76,350 grant from The UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of UPS. The grant will be used for the Mission's Mobile Outreach Program which visits the homeless in local parks and areas where the less fortunate congregate. Staff and volunteers then offer food, blankets and even a ride back to the Mission to help these impoverished individuals. The grant will also purchase a mobile kitchen in order to bring food and hope to needy neighborhoods..

“Through the generosity of UPS, we are going to be able to reach out to the hurting individuals in our community in full force,” commented Rev. John M. Anderson, president and CEO of the Bay Area Rescue Mission. “Our Mobile Outreach offers food, a chance for recovery, and hope for a brighter tomorrow. I can’t think of a better investment and UPS has shown that they are willing to partner with us to help those who need a second chance.”

In 2005, The UPS Foundation distributed $44.8 million worldwide through grants that benefit organizations or programs such as the Bay Area Rescue Mission and provide support for building stronger communities.

“Giving back to the communities is an important part of UPS’ nearly 100 year old culture that’s embraced by our employees through volunteerism, making donations and sharing their intellectual capital,” said Evern Cooper Epps, president of The UPS Foundation and vice president of UPS corporate relations. “Together with nonprofit partners such as The Bay Area Rescue Mission, we work to make a positive impact on the lives of people in need.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Francisco Bay Area - The recent wave of cold weather means that few of us are enjoying the outdoors.  Most people head for the shelter of home or work, but those who are homeless have few places to go, which means Bay Area Rescue Mission will be full beyond capacity.

“When temperatures fall below 40 degrees along with cold winds, it becomes a life or death situation for those out on the streets,” said Rev. John Anderson, President/CEO of the Bay Area Rescue Mission.  “Homeless men, women and children have no option.  They can’t stay out in weather like that.”

Amid a relatively mild winter, drastic changes in weather force many homeless off the streets and into shelters.  In warm weather, the Bay Area Rescue Mission is often 100% full on a nightly basis.   But in these chilling conditions, the mission is beyond capacity.  Some people even sleep on the floor in the Mission’s chapel.

Bitter cold weather is a new experience for many homeless people, according to Rev. Anderson. "Nationally, nearly two-thirds of the people coming to Rescue Missions have been on the streets less than a year, and two-in-five have never before been homeless.  They are not prepared for this kind of weather and they have no experience in protecting themselves from the extreme cold." 

Annually, the mission provides more than 78,000 nights of lodging.  Many of the homeless who first come in to the mission for a meal or shelter go on to enroll in the recovery programs that help them stay off the streets, and lead productive lives.

“Sometimes, it can be basic needs that bring people in off the streets, such as a change of clothes, a shower, or just being able to drink a hot cup of coffee.   Sometimes it takes a dramatic change in weather – like what’s happening now – to bring them in,” said John Anderson

Anderson recommends caution in compassion when personally dealing with homeless people.  "Money is not generally the answer.  If you see someone huddled in a corner or lying on a building grate, offer to take him or her to the Bay Area Rescue Mission or other facility designed to care for them.  You can call the mission at 510-215-4555 for more information.  You can buy the homeless person a cup of coffee or hot meal; give them coupons to a fast-food restaurant or grocery store that can be turned in for food, you could even provide a blanket or extra coat."

The Bay Area Rescue Mission was founded in 1965 to provide food, shelter, and charitable Christian service to the homeless, and to help them achieve self-sufficiency.  The mission offers long-term substance and homelessness recovery programs, short-term emergency assistance, and an after-school center for youth.