HOLIDAY ISSUE 2004 � A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E B AY A R E A R E S C U E M I S S I O N

From Exhaustion to Exhilaration…

Johnny’s Long Road to Sobriety
M y name is John Austin. When I
came to the Bay Area Rescue
Mission I was physically drained, morally
corrupt, and mentally exhausted. I’d
used drugs since the age of 12, and I
allowed my rebellious nature to drive me
Encouraging Words into a spiral of despair.
from John I’ve been in jail thirty three times,
Pg. 2 gotten off drugs and then started using
again. I kept on doing just about
everything my way — the wrong way.
One day, a pastor in Antioch told me about the Mission. I remember him
asking me if I wanted to join the recovery program. Even though my life was a
nightmare I said, “No. I don’t need any program. I have my addiction under
control.” All my answers were the wrong answers.

Life was pure hell

The Track, Bingo and
Poker: One Woman’s
Search for Meaning
Pg. 3
A Special
Christmas Invitation
Pg. 3
I continued to endure my living nightmare until I finally hit the bottom
and came to the Bay Area Rescue Mission. It was one of the best decisions I
ever made. Now, many months later, I’m
still here. But not as a resident. I’m now a
job counselor for guests who are like I used
to be. Every day I see what I used to look
like and think like. These daily reminders
help me stay on the straight and narrow.
Now, it’s almost Christmas, and I know it
will be a good one. Especially since I don’t
“All my answers remember many holidays after I was 12
years old. Mostly because I was usually in
were the wrong jail during the Christmas season.
answers.” Today, the holidays are great. I get to
see my family, my mother and the many
friends the Mission has given me. I also want to thank you who give your
money, time and goods to the Mission. I’d like to shake your hand and thank
you personally for all you do. I also want to tell you that you helped change
my life. Without you, there would be no Mission.
God bless you, and Merry Christmas.

B AY A R E A MISSION � 2 1 1 4 M A C D O N A L D AV E . � RICHMOND, CA 94801 � (510) 215-4555 � w w w. B a y A r e a R e s c u e . o r g

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To volunteer at our ers o n , P resident/
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events contact Dave Kachurka
t r y inve stment i eternity.”
at (510) 215-4865 or inis for
DKachurka@BayAreaRescue.org “Your m nd child is good
a
woman

Here Come the Holidays…and the

At this holiday season, let us Love is patient and kind,
together reflect on these Love is not envious, conceited or proud.
Love is not rude, selfish or irritable,
thoughts, based on the great love And love keeps no record of wrongs.
passage found in 1 Corinthians 13. Love does not delight in evil
We do this, because the message But rejoices in the truth.
of these verses is God’s mission Love bears all things,
Believes all things,
statement to us all. May these
Hopes all things,
reminders of love and comfort Endures all things.
speak to your heart… Love is everlasting and will never fail.
2
 The Track, Bingo and Poker: A Special
One Woman’s Search for Love and Acceptance. Christmas
Invitation
M
y name is Beverly. For many years I was a compulsive gambler. It all started
when I became a widow. Even though I had my little daughter to care for, I
became depressed and lonely. I figured I needed some excitement in my life.
I’d go to the horse races, the Bingo parlors, and to Reno on occasion. The list is
too long to mention. Strangely, I never figured I had a problem. I’d just go gamble
on weekends after I’d receive my pay check from work. I’d just sit down and play
what I thought was an innocent game of Poker. I enjoyed the thrill and the
excitement of just being with people. Lots of times I went into the clubs with $2000
in my purse. I never came out with that much money.
I never used alcohol or other drugs. I didn’t have to. “I went to casinos
Gambling was my drug of choice. The casinos loved me. with $2000 in
I never had to pay a dime for a room or food.
my purse.”
Tired of being an addict
One time, I’d gambled for two nights in a row and still went to work during the Dear Friends,
day. I became exhausted. Being a diabetic didn’t help. I passed out. The police came
to my door. That was my wake up call. I was tired of being an addict. Help us give hope and joy to
My granddaughter, Portia, whom I was supposed to care for, was angry with more than two thousand
me. After all, I was her last hope. I knew it was time for a change — and the Bay inner-city children at our
Area Rescue Mission played an important role in my healing. annual Children’s Christmas
I smile when I think that I used to send people to the Mission for help. Now I Celebration on Thursday,
needed to send myself to the Mission. That’s when God touched my heart and
December 23, 2004 from
changed my life. To make a long story short, I’ve started college, and
I’m regaining my dignity. I’m also singing again. And if you see 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Contact
someone with her nose in the Bible, that will me to enlist yourself, your
probably be me! family or volunteer group.
To you who donate to the Bay Area Rescue
Looking forward to
Mission I say this: keep on doing what you’re
doing. You’re helping to change so many lives. seeing you!
Mine included. You’re also helping me Dave Kachurka
make this holiday something special. Volunteer Coordinator
Thank you.
(510) 215-4865
My granddaughter Portia and I DKachurka@BayAreaRescue.org
thank you for all you’ve done for me.

Online Opportunities

e Homeless Need Your Compassion Helping us care for the

During the coming holiday season,
together we have the opportunity to
live out the words of this passage of
love, compassion and understanding.
Because you care, hundreds will find
food this season. Hundreds more will
find love, compassion and hope for
their lives that have taken such
terrible turns.
Please help us provide holiday
feasts for the needy — both feasts
for the stomach and the all important
feasts for the soul — all served up
with arms of love.
To do your vital part in “paying
attention” to the needy, please call
us at 1-888-343-FOOD.
Or donate online by simply clicking
on www.BayAreaRescue.org.
God bless you…and thank you for
your generous support during the
holidays and throughout the year.
homeless is easier than
ever, just click on our
DONATE page at
www.BayAreaRescue.org
to find out about monthly
automatic contribution,
vehicle donations, planned
estates gifts and more!
Thanks for your
partnership!
3
Leave a Charitable Legacy and
Give More to Your Heirs!
You can increase your estate’s gift to your family and
reduce your inheritance tax liability by making a legacy
gift to the charity of your choice.
The US Government states that nonprofit ministries, like the
Bay Area Rescue Mission, which provide beneficial services to the
community, can provide tax deductible receipts to their donors.
Not only that, but the government permits many legacy
giving options which not only support the Mission, but grant
YOU, the donor, many beneficial features. Some include:
1. Exemption from estates passing through probate
court, taxes and legal fees.
2. Gifting of larger gifts to heirs without tax penalties.
3. Planning for a fixed monthly income for life after age 70.
4. Planning for health care during the last years of one’s life.
5. Giving an endowment gift to the Mission, knowing that
the interest from it will continue to fund the ongoing
Dr. Elizabeth Johnston: her
giving was greater than life.
She served as a physician in the Bay Area for
years, providing health care for thousands of
hurting people. But perhaps her greatest gift
was the relief and hope she personally
granted to thousands of homeless and
desperately needy men, women and
children. Dr. Johnston gave a generous
portion of her estate to the Bay Area Rescue
Mission. Part of Dr. Johnston’s legacy gift will
be placed in the endowment fund and will
continue to help the homeless and needy for
many years. We honor Dr. Johnston and
thank God for the blessing of her lasting
benevolence.

D a i l y N eed s
work of the Mission for years to come.
6. Naming a gift in memory of a beloved family member
or in honor of someone very special to you. • New Bibles
• Linens • Food
There are many ways that careful planning can help owels
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10-12 lb. TTu
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maximize your giving. We will be happy to help you and your 10 lb. Hams
professional advisors consider what type of gift would be most Blankets ancake Syrup
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advantageous for your situation. To find out more, please call oiletries
• TTo Sugar
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DebraAnderson@BayAreaRescue.org. We will be pleased to T othpaste
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assist you. You can also visit www.BayAreaRescue.org and click Diapers
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on Donate and then on Planned Giving for more information. • Cleaning Sup Warm Jackets
The Bay Area Rescue Mission does not give legal or tax Laundrryy Soap Socks
advice. Professional counsel and advice should be considered Bleach Glovves
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when making significant charitable gifts. Powdered Clean
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Holiday Meal Ticket

YES, John, you can count on my generous support to
help feed and care for those who’ll come through the � Please bill my credit card:
Bay Area Rescue Mission’s doors during the holiday � VISA � MC � AMEX � DISCOVER
season and throughout the year. Here’s my gift of: ACCOUNT # EXP. DATE
� $17.90 to provide 10 meals & other assistance
� $26.85 to provide 15 meals & other assistance NAME ON ACCOUNT

� $53.70 to provide 30 meals & other assistance SIGNATURE

� $_______ to provide as many meals & care as possible
Bay Area Rescue Mission
NAME
P.O. Box 1112
ADDRESS Richmond, CA 94802-0112

CITY / STATE / ZIP

Please mail this completed form, and return it with your Holiday gift to Bay Area Rescue Mission,
P.O. Box 1112, Richmond, CA 94802-0112. Or you may donate online at www.BayAreaRescue.org.
Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. You will receive a receipt.