Dear Friend,

With the holiday season just around the corner now, it seems like everywhere I go, I hear Christmas songs: “I’ll be home for Christmas” . . . “There’s no place like home for the holidays” . . . “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”

For most of us, including me, it is the most wonderful time of year, isn’t it? But it’s not for many hurting men, women and children who have no home for the holidays. For them, it can be the saddest time of the year. Every day is a reminder of everything that’s gone wrong in their lives. And it’s hard to escape the feeling that no one cares.

But you and I do care. More importantly, God loves them so much, He sent His only Son that first Christmas so that He could redeem them.  And with the love of Jesus Christ, you and I can show them love, too. All year-round, we embrace every man, woman and child who comes to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission with Christ’s love and compassion. Christmas gives us a unique opportunity to show that love and compassion in a special way.

That’s why your support is so important. You’re providing meals, shelter, clothing, education, job training and so much more to hurting men, women and children who may have nowhere else to turn. Through your generosity, they know how much you care. For many, coming through the doors of MRM may be the first time they feel welcomed. It may be the first time they’re surrounded by love and encouragement, and maybe the first time they feel it just might be possible to experience a “Merry” Christmas!

This holiday season, you will help the Milwaukee Rescue Mission serve more than 44,524 meals to hurting men, women and children. But you’ll provide more than food. You’ll remind our hurting neighbors that they are loved.

Thank you . . . and Merry Christmas!

I thank God for you,
Patrick H. Vanderburgh, D.Min.
President