Rescue Outreach Mission Raises Nearly $100,000 at Luncheon

Sanford, Fla. (October 16, 2023) – Last week, Rescue Outreach Mission held its annual Gratitude in Action Luncheon, bringing more than 300 people to the Orlando Marriott Lake Mary to help people experiencing homelessness.

Overall, the event raised nearly $100,000. That number is still climbing as more contributions continue to be made.

“Our community certainly stepped up this week to help people in our community who are hurting and scared because they do not have a place to call home,” says Chris Ham, executive director, Rescue Outreach Mission. “The need is truly significant as we are starting to see substantial increases in the number of families and individuals reaching out to our team.”

Rescue Outreach Mission is Seminole County’s only homeless shelter, providing a safe place to stay while its guests travel along their pathway to home. At the luncheon, Ham shared there are more than 40 children under the age of 18 staying at Rescue Outreach Mission – but nearly 70 other children are sleeping in cars nightly.

“When you hear from families and see the children, you realize how many people are just one event or unique circumstance away from experiencing a lifelong trauma,” says Larry Meador, board chair, Rescue Outreach Mission. “Our community cares and the turnout at the event showed the heart of Seminole County.”

What was impressive was the number of new donors to the organization. Of those that gave at the event, 54 percent of them had never contributed to Rescue Outreach Mission.

In addition, the organization more than doubled the number of donors in its Hope for Home Society, the people who have signed up to give a recurring monthly donation. These types of donations are essential to help offset monthly expenses like utilities, food and toiletries.

“While this event was substantial and was a tremendous success, there is so much more our organization needs to service the guests we currently work with, much less expand our services to meet the needs of our community,” Ham says.

If you were unable to make a donation during the event or were unable to attend, please, please click here.

If your company would like to find unique ways to help our community, please reach out to Chris Ham by clicking here.

If you are interested in sponsorship or playing in the poker tournament on September 23, please click here.

###
For more information, please reach out to Alan Byrd, Alan Byrd & Associates, 407-415-8470, Alan@ByrdConnections.com
About Rescue Outreach Mission:  In 1986, Mother Blanche Bell Weaver, Pastor of the Rescue Church of God, saw desperate people in her community living without basic essentials. With the support of her church and members, she was determined to help those in need. She founded the Rescue Outreach Mission to provide safety, support and a healing environment for her community.
Located across from the Rescue Church of God in Sanford, Rescue Outreach Mission remains true to her mission by serving disadvantaged people throughout Central Florida by providing resources that help prevent homelessness and assisting those who are homeless to become self-sufficient.
To learn more about Rescue Outreach Mission, please visit our website.