You are Making a Difference at Rescue Outreach Mission

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity and good news at Rescue Outreach Mission.

Here are just a few of the highlights you should know about.

• We held our second annual Bronx House Pizza Party on March 4, where all sales that day were contributed to our shelter. We raised more than $10,000 thanks to your efforts.

• We launched our new website on March 14. This was a long and extensive process, but it gives us a much better opportunity to tell our story and showcase our impact in the community. Check it out!

• After presenting to the Seminole County Commission, WKMG News 6 visited our shelter on March 31 to tell our story to their viewers and our need for funding to address the growing number of men, women and children experiencing homelessness. Several other news channels followed up shortly after.

• We held our second annual Rescue on the River on April 5 and had a great time at our "speakeasy." More than 125 people came out to enjoy the evening and we raised nearly $30,000. Thank you to all of our sponsors, especially our premier sponsors, Wharton-Smith Construction Group and Lawson.

• Finally, we celebrated Easter with our guests on April 12, allowing our littlest ones to meet the Easter Bunny, hunt for eggs and more. It is events like this, where we can bring a smile to a child's face, that remind us why we are in this work. Thank you to the Sanford Herald for featuring this event on their front page!

While all of that is truly wonderful, the real reason we work and volunteer at Rescue Outreach Mission is to provide the support and guidance to help people end their experience of homelessness.

In the first three months of 2025, we helped 65 people find permanent housing. That is about a 10 percent increase compared to last year's monthly numbers. It's not slowing down either. Every night, nearly every bed is used because the need is so great.

That's why I appreciate all of you who contribute, volunteer and support this critical organization. Your impact is changing lives and making a difference in Seminole County.