Author: Matt Fowler

Downtown Rescue Mission, an Appeal from a friend

I hope you don’t mind but I’m sending this email to my friends who might be interested in helping Huntsville’s rescue mission for the homeless. You may not be aware that I occasionally help the mission, most recently with a cameo appearance in a video promotion getting the word out. The video does a good job of explaining what the organization is all about.

I have visited the mission’s facilities numerous times and am very impressed with the leadership, the staff, their programs and the facilities themselves. Having said that, the mission has a serious problem with its HVAC system. It is 50+ years old and is on its last legs. The organization doesn’t have the funds required to replace the antiquated system. As we roll into the winter months you can imagine the concerns everyone has regarding giving the homeless a warm place to sleep and eat.

Here are some stats you may not be aware of:

* At times there are over 2,500 homeless people in Huntsville.
* The mission provides services to 75% of them during the year.
* It averages over 15,000 meals a month.
* That number swells during the winter.
* There are many “residents” who live there and are in recovery programs.
* Almost half of them are women and children.

A new HVAC system will cost $350,000. A specific funding campaign for this is now underway. As you might imagine there is a sense of urgency.

I am asking you to consider a donation. Faye and I will be doing so. If you know of anyone who might be interested please feel free to pass this along.
By the way, the donation can be cash or property like a car. The mission can convert the property into cash.

If you are interested in learning more and/or making a pledge, please contact Ted Bullock either by email or phone (256- 536-2441) who is responsible for this project.

Many thanks,

David

David Karabinos
President & CEO, PointClear Solutions
(256) 656-1099
david.karabinos@pointclearsolutions.com

Tent City Saturday

Hi folks. We’re headed out to Tent City again this Saturday morning. If you’d like to tag along please meet me at 113 Clinton Street downtown at 8AM and we can carpool, or you can follow me. It’s easy and a fun way to start your Saturday. Seriously, I know it does not seem like it would be but strangely, it is! If you’d like to bring something we could use C batteries, blankets, water (always), and any functional tents or tarps or other camping stuff would be great. We meet earlier in the morning at the Church and make breakfast so we’ll bring all that stuff. Let me know you’ll be there so I can tell the rest of the group.

Oh and there are a few safety rules. No kids younger than high school. Do not leave the group without an escort. Do not give out your last name and do not give anyone money. Do not give out your cell phone number or your home address. If someone asks for help, there are multiple agencies and ministries that already do a great job. See someone in the group for a list of local phone numbers and addresses. Women please dress modestly. That’s about all, it’s not as scary as it sounds. We’ll be done about 9 or 9:30AM.

Tough Morning Under the Bridge

Tough morning under the bridge. Gary (young Gary) was found dead last night near his tent on The Hill. We did not see Nicky this morning, Red said he saw her maybe Thursday, not sure. Glad we were there to hang out with them a little while but it’s really tragic, no idea what happened. Jeff said the first time he met Gary he was “walking” too quickly on crutches along Governors Drive in the rain on his way to McDonald’s where he’d gotten a job. He was late and it was raining, Jeff said he was mad and cursing so he pulled over to talk to him! Sounds like Jeff!. I can picture Gary all wet and mad! What a waste.