I’m excited to send you our inaugural issue of The Church Ambassador e-newsletter! Each month, you’ll receive up-to-the-minute information you can share with members of your church including statistics, projects, events and testimonials from other Church Ambassadors.

Please feel free to contact me with your ideas and questions. I look forward to working with each of you as a voice of hope linking your churches to the homeless of Western New York.

Aubrey Calhoun
Director of Community Relations

  
 

Throughout the month of May, honor the remarkable women in your congregation, at work or at home, and raise funds to help the homeless. May 1-31, head for our Web site to make a $20 or more gift in honor of Mother’s Day for that woman who’s been your rock or inspiration. The one who was there when you needed her most!

We’ll send each honoree a card letting her know of your gift. Her name will also be posted on a billboard display on our Web site. We’ll remind you again next month, but please promote this wonderful opportunity now! Download a flier.

 
 

Get the word out to bikers in your church and community— compassionate motorcyclists will ride August 2, 2008, to raise money for Buffalo City Mission’s ministries for homeless men, women and children! Last year, around 60 bikers and corporate sponsors teamed up to raise $10,000 for the Mission’s ministries.

This year we hope to see a lot more leather on the road—and corporate sponsorships! We’ve added fantastic prizes for our 2008 awards ceremony; live music, too!

Non-bikers! Come at 3:30 p.m. and pay just $10 to enjoy great food and music, and hear testimonials of lives changed. Non-bikers can also download pledge forms and compete for prizes. (All participants must raise a minimum of $250 in cash to be eligible for the top three prizes.) Click here to learn more and to download pledge forms.

  
 

Please help stretch our general fund this summer by asking church members to donate the following items. Hold an Undies Sunday Drive for underwear, or Summer Cool Down Drive for cold drinks, treats and other summer stuff.

Here’s a list of the items we currently need most.

  • Hamburgers and hot dogs urgent!
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Fruit juice, tea and coffee
  • Individually packaged snacks and drinks for children
  • Shower shoes (flip flops) for adults and kids (new please)
  • Sunscreen and aloe vera gel
  • Packaged adult and children’s underwear
  • Shaving cream, antiperspirant, feminine care products
  
 

We invite church groups, young and old, to be part of Buffalo City Mission’s Adopt-a-Garden project. With summer right at our doorstep, we need adult groups to commit to this project by April 17.

Your creativity and volunteer energy will bring the beauty of God’s creation to homeless men, women and children who’ve suffered a lot of ugliness in their lives. What a thrilling way to show the love of Christ and enjoy summer, too. Download a flier! Or call Peggy Johnson at
(716) 854-8181, ext. 408.

  
 

New Life Brethren in Christ Church has made Buffalo City Mission its mission in March! For the past seven years, a youth group from the church, which is located in Collingwood, Ontario, heads for the Mission to do whatever is needed!

This year, says Peggy Johnson, Buffalo City Mission’s director of volunteers, the group came March 12-14, putting in seven-hour days. “At our Men’s Community Center, they painted the guest lounge, cleaned out an office and worked in the Agape Shop (free clothing room),” Peggy lists. The group also washed dozens of windows and buffed floors at our women and children’s shelter, then sorted donations at our warehouse and tagged clothing at our thrift stores.

No job is beneath them,” Peggy enthuses.

 
               
 

Church Ambassadors Are Voices of Hope!
The Church Ambassador Program is a volunteer program linking the church community to the homeless through the ministry of Buffalo City Mission. Learn more or sign up to become a Church Ambassador here.

Contact Information
Call to learn more about opportunities mentioned in The Church Ambassador
e-newsletter by calling:

Aubrey Calhoun
Director of Community Relations
(716) 854-8181, ext. 401
or email her from the In Touch section above.

Take Note!
If you know of another church interested in our Church Ambassador Program, tell them to contact Aubrey Calhoun, community relations director, at (716) 854-8181, ext. 401 or e-mail. Thanks!

Give to Buffalo City Mission with Confidence!