30K CLUB NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2010

Bikeathon creates smiles!

3RD ANNUAL BIKEATHON – What better way to kick off the summer than with our 3^rd Annual Bikeathon to support the 30K Club. The weather was perfect – even with the sky filled with fluttering puff balls of pollen! Approximately 100 enthusiastic riders took to the trails of the Mission Greenway, for a great ride with family and friends. The event brought in close to $10,000 for the 30k Club which will go towards recovery and transition programs and services. Many thanks to all our awesome volunteers, our sponsors, our MC-Susan Knight, Debbie from Global Fitness, Gary Moore, Fresh Air Experience, Kelowna Cycle and Divine Feast Catering. We can’t wait to do it again next year! Mark the date for JUNE 18^th, 2011.

Check out these links to some great pics!

http://kelownagospelmission.ca/news_photos/photo_gallery/

http://www.facebook.com/KelownaGospelMission?v=photos#!/photo_search.php?oid=7446207756&view=all

Kelowna Cycle gives bikes to clients

KELOWNA CYCLE BIKE REFURBISHMENT PROGRAM

Last fall, Kelowna Cycle put out a call for used bikes – and the public answered! They had hundreds of bikes pour in. Over the winter their staff lovingly fixed and spruced up these bikes. In the spring, Kelowna Cycle graciously contacted us, and offered bikes to our clients in need.

With the help of our case workers, we were able to match up clients and a family with “new” bikes.

“We are so excited,” says mom Joanne. “Having a simple item like a good quality, working bike will allow us to do more things together. It brings my family closer when we can spend time together.”

Client Stephan is very grateful. “It’s so great that they are so generous. I’m looking for work and this will make it easier for me to get around to possible employers. I really feel having a bike will help me find work.”

Kelowna Cycle owner Pat Rosen says, “the idea for the Refurbished Bike Program came about after a bike rodeo at a local school. I noticed that more kids were walking the course, not riding it. I realized that not all families can afford to have bikes. So, I decided to do something about that. We are a community driven business, and we wanted to make sure we were contributing to our community.”

Graduation

GRADUATION

October 8th will be a very exciting day for 5 of our ladies at Harmony and Shiloh Houses. We will be recognizing them for all their hard work to complete their Genesis Recovery Program. These ladies have now moved on, and are either working or are in school. One of the most rewarding and touching events for two of the women is re-connecting with their children, and re-uniting with their families; a wonderful result.

They have gained physical health, mental health and spiritual health. But maybe more than that, they have gained trust, support and sister-hood that they will have with them beyond the program at Harmony House.

We are so proud of them.

new kitchen

NEW KITCHEN AND CLASSROOM

New Kitchen counter

A huge thank you to Westwood Fine Cabinets and Pure Granite Rocks in Vernon for transforming our kitchen. It was great to see the old cupboards get ripped out – very cathartic! The cabinets are hickory and the beautiful countertop matches perfectly. It’s so warm and cozy! We are very excited to make good use of the new space! Thanks so much to everyone who helped.

new classroom

Also – our classroom was the beneficiary of a make-over! New laminate floors were installed, replacing the old, yucky carpet, and a fresh coat of paint makes this room perfect for our group sessions. Thanks to Revolution Ministries, Pastor Lester and Marla, and John Remple for doing a great make over.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE TO OUR MEMBERS

Thank you for your continued support in helping to end homelessness in Kelowna.

30K Club

Since its launch in 2008 the 30K Club has been recognized for its positive impact in our community. Our members have helped to purchase Shiloh House – a transition home for women, and their children. You have also helped dozens of men and women navigate through crisis on their path to a new foothold in society.

As we are accountable to our members, each year, our Board of Directors reviews our programs and services. They take their fiduciary duty very seriously, especially in challenging economic times. After much heartfelt debate they have made the decision to use this year’s 30K funds for continued success in recovery programs and services. Therefore, the most effective use of 30K funds this year will be directed towards continued success in supportive housing and its services.

Because of you, over two dozen men and women have participated in recovery programs, and since 2009, over 200 people were helped off the streets, into permanent housing and into a life of productivity.

Because of our members, the 30K Club remains a unique opportunity to help make positive, long term change for people less fortunate.

Our long term vision remains leading people from homelessness into wholeness.

Respectfully,

Randy Benson

Executive Director

Kelowna’s Gospel Mission

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