Growing up, John was abused by his stepfather, but now all he wants is to help others.

“I just want to do my part.”

HELPING HEARTToday, through your gifts and prayers, he has a joyous new life and a heart of thanksgiving!READ HIS MOVING STORY ON PAGE 3.

BeaconTH

EBeaconA newsletter for friends and donors of Great Falls Rescue Mission

Great Falls Rescue Mission

Don’t miss…

Fall Issue 2017

A message from Jim

“I have a new mindset.”

Needed: This Thanksgiving! 432 2

408 2nd Avenue South · P.O. Box 129 · Great Falls, MT 59403-0129 · GreatFallsRescueMission.org

If it wasn’t for the donors, we wouldn’t

even have the Mission…

so I thank them first

andforemost.

3

John and his identical twin suffered extreme physical abuse at the hands of their stepdad. The boys began lashing out. In third grade, their self-esteem was even more deeply damaged when their teachers said they were “mentally retarded.”

However, both of them graduated from high school with high GPAs. Still, the darkness from their past followed them.

Trying to find an escape, John began smoking marijuana when he was just 10 years old, which led to drug and alcohol abuse… and finally prison time.

After he was released, John and his brother were homeless, sleeping in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Finally

John’s brother had enough and said that the Mission was their best option. The brothers arrived hungry and will never forget the first warm meal they ate.

When John first got to the Mission, he was angry and says he would “snap on the dime at people.” He shares how the program at the Mission helped him: “All the classes open up my mind, my heart and my soul.” Through them, God gave John a new mindset. “God is willing to help you if you let Him do it.” He has learned how to pray, “every hour of the day,” and help others by putting them first.

John praises the Mission staff, volunteers and especially the donors.

After John and his brother graduated from our program, they worked part-time in our GFRM Thrift Store. Today, they have moved forward into other employment opportunities and are thankful for the preparation and encouragement the Mission provided. “I’m a firm believer in helping people out the best I can, and that’s what I will do,” John says.

Through everything, John has comfort in Christ. “I always knew God was out there and that God was there to protect me,” he says. With a heart of thanksgiving for his new outlook on life, John shares these words:

“All I need is God and my brothers and sisters in Christ.”

GOD IS WILLINGto help you if you let Him do it.

2

Our guests may never meet you, but their hearts are filled with joy and thanksgiving

for the care and opportunities you provide every day!

2017ANNUAL

OPEN YOUR HEARTTHIS THANKSGIVING

THANK YOUFOR BEING GENEROUS!

THANKSGIVING CAMPAIGN

A Heart of Thanksgiving

27,400 MEALS 15,000 BEDS

THOUSANDS OF HOURSOF TRAINING, COUNSELING & PRAYER

The human need for food is fundamental and has remained the center of our ministry outreach for more than 54 years. But the people who turn to Great Falls Rescue Mission hunger for more than a meal. Their emptiness extends to all areas of their lives.

Their spirits are tired of searching for something to believe in. They lack the training to change their dead-end paths. Friends and loved ones have long since turned their backs. They come to us hungry, homeless, broken and alone – and through your kind compassion, we fill their plates with hope… and their hearts with thanksgiving.

From faith-based counseling to life-skills courses and vocational training, your gifts and prayers empower men, women and families to overcome troubled circumstances and rebuild lives that are stable, meaningful and a blessing to their communities.

As we look forward to serving our less-fortunate neighbors this holiday season, I pray you will continue to demonstrate your heart of thanksgiving. Your ongoing partnership will bring a harvest of joy to men, women and children who are longing for hope. God bless you for your gift today and throughout the months ahead.

“A Beacon of Hope Since 1963”

Jim KizerExecutive Director

Your heart of Thanksgiving…brings a harvest of joy!

A MESSAGE FROM JIM KIZER

FOOD. SHELTER. GUIDANCE. HOPE.GOD’S LIFE-TRANSFORMING LOVE.Your 2017 Annual Thanksgiving Campaign gift will bring a harvest of joy to people in need.

Give now using the enclosed reply card and envelope.

Give online anytime at GreatFallsRescueMission.org.

CONNECT WITH US GreatFallsRescueMission.org

m $20.79 to feed and care for 11 peoplem $51.03 to feed and care for 27 peoplem $75.60 to feed and care for 40 peoplem $88.83 to feed and care for 47 peoplem $_______ to help as much as possible

FAL17

Great Falls Rescue MissionP.O. Box 129Great Falls, MT 59403-0129

WE NEED YOUR HEARTS AND HANDS TO BRING A JOYOUS

THANKSGIVING TO SCORES OF HUNGRY AND HURTING PEOPLE. Individuals, families, church groups – all are welcome to volunteer!

For more information, call Hannah or Lynne at (406) 761-2653. Or visit our website at GreatFallsRescueMission.org and click on “Volunteer.”

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

Jim, here’s my 2017 Annual Thanksgiving Campaign gift:

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY / STATE/ ZIP

m Check enclosed m Bill my credit card

m m m m

CREDIT CARD # CIV/SEC#

EXP. DATE PHONE #

E-MAIL

Donate Now! GreatFallsRescueMission.org (406) 761-2653 or (877) 205-5303

HELPING HEART

THANKSGIVING DINNER… add our shopping list to yours!

27,400 meals for men, women &

children

YOU will make the difference for thousandsof people this holiday season!

150 food boxesfor families & people in

desperate need

Please help set more places at our Thanksgiving table for hungry people in North Central Montana.

JUST LOOK AT OUR NEEDS THIS HOLIDAY:

George wanted to be a blessing to local people in need – now and always.

His only question: How best to do that? George realized he could make a bigger

impact by including the Mission – an organization he’s supported for years – in his will through a bequest.

When you give through a bequest, YOU choose how you wish to give: cash, real estate, property or stocks. And it’s easy to update your wishes at any time.

For George, a bequest made it possible to share his compassion and generosity with our city’s homeless and hurting for years to come.

You don’t have to figure it out on your own. We can share more with you about leaving a legacy through a bequest. (There’s no obligation!)

Please contact our Development Department. (406) 761-2653 or carrie.sunwall@gfrescuemission.org

Already blessed the Mission with a bequest? Please let us know so we

can say, “Thank you!”

A legacy that shines bright

Your gifts can live on to bring help & hope to our community!

* Turkeys* Hams* Stuffing mix* Milk

* Cream of mushroom soup* Recyclable cups + napkins* Fresh vegetables: carrots,

celery, onions, potatoes

Please drop off donations at the back door of the Mission’s Men’s Shelter, 326 2nd Avenue South in Great Falls, or call (406) 761-2653 to arrange a pickup. Thank you!

Don’t have time to shop? Donate now! (406) 761-2653 or (877) 205-5303 GreatFallsRescueMission.org

Gifts given on or after July 1, 2017 will appear in an upcoming Newsletter.

IN MEMORY OF IN MEMORY OFGIVEN BY GIVEN BYAUNT ANNA ALBERTMARK P. ALLENERNIE BAHNMILLERDALE BAKKENVENUS BARDANOUVELYLA BEATTIERAY BEAVERREV. LOUIS (LOU) BELCHER

BECKY BERNIERHAROLD BERNIERSTEVE BIRKOSKIFRED BITZRON BITZKENNETH (KENNY RAY) BOGGS

PEGGY BROWNINGNATHANIEL (NATE) BRUGMANJOHN CADIGANGRACE CANOYPAUL CHAGNONJOHN CLINEWILLARD L. COOK

ELAINE COURTNAGEJACKIE CRAIGMARY P. DANIELSONGARY DARLINGTONSONJA DEHNMARGARET (PEGGY) DICKERSONMIKE DIEKHANSJOE & ELSIE ELIGORDON ELINGSGARY FELSTEADEVELYN FORRESTKATHERINE (KAY) FORSMAN

LEROY R. (LEE) FRANSEN

GEORGIA GARNETTJOHN GOODMUNDSONGRANDMA RUTH GOREJERRY GREYN

ANNIE HABELGRANDPA HENSLERADAM ALLEN HOCEVARWILLIAM H. HODGESMARLENE HOLBROOK

MRS. LENORE MYERS & MR. EMERY NAULTMR. & MRS. KEM & GAIL ALLEN MS. PATRICIA KNOTTNERUS MRS. CHERYL BAKKEN MR. & MRS. EDWARD & JOYCE SCHEPP MR. & MRS. TOM & SUE KENDALL MR. & MRS. WYMAN & DEE TAYLOR ANONYMOUS MR. & MRS. LARRY & MARY BENNETT MR. MARK CAMERON LATRELLE CHAPMAN MS. DONNA DODSON MS. BONEE ERICKSON MR. & MRS. RAY & LINDA JOHNSON MS. BEVERLY KOCH PINEY CREEK CUL-DE-SAC: TODD PHILLIPSMRS. JUANITA ROSALES MR. & MRS. REDDICK & FREIDA SIBLEY DR. & MRS. DON & CAROL SPURGEON MR. & MRS. DAVID & JUDY STRAND MR. & MRS. SAM & CHERYL WILDER MRS. ELIZABETH BERNIER MRS. ELIZABETH BERNIER MRS. PHYLLIS BIRKOSKI MS. PATRICIA KNOTTNERUS MS. PATRICIA KNOTTNERUS MR. & MRS. ROY & DIANE INBODY MR. & MRS. KEN & ELAINE VANDEN BOS MRS. PEGGY MATTEUCCI MRS. CORRINE ANDERSON MR. & MRS. JIM & SANDRA JOHNSON MR. LEIGHTON CANOY MRS. LETA GOULD MS. PATRICIA KNOTTNERUS MRS. JUNE COOK MR. & MRS. WAYNE OLSON REV. & MRS. KENNETH & JULIE WAAG MS. PATRICIA KNOTTNERUS MR. & MRS. KYLE & DONNA RUDOLPH MRS. LLOYD DANIELSON MS. PATRICIA KNOTTNERUS MR. & MRS. PAT & CANDY WAGNER MR. & MRS. HERB & FERN TRONSON MS. KAREN DIEKHANS MR. & MRS. RON & SPENCEE ELI MRS. DOROTHY SKELTON MRS. DIANE FELSTEAD ANONYMOUS ANONYMOUS MR. & MRS. RALPH & ALTA MAE COX RONNIE & CATHI HEMRY FARM INC.LYNN UTTERBACK MR. & MRS. ERIC & LACIE VERMULM MR. & MRS. PAUL & BERVA HINDERAGER:

ANCHOR POLLED HEREFORDSMRS. DOROTHY SKELTON MR. & MRS. DWAYNE & JAN IRVIN MR. & MRS. RON & RENAE MUNSON ANONYMOUS ANONYMOUS MR. & MRS. ORAN & SYLVIA BENZING MR. & MRS. JAMES & SHARON BEUTLER: CENTURY

ELECTRONICS & CONST.MR. & MRS. LARRY & DONNA DUGAS MRS. GLADYS GREYN T.C. GLASS: ED & CALA HABELMR. MATTHEW NEWSTED MRS. DOROTHY ERICKSON MR. J. WADE HODGES MR. & MRS. DICK & JUDY GASVODA

Tributes

HOWARD HUFF

PATRICIA (PAT) JOHNSONNORMA KEELSROBERT KERSHERANTOINETTE (TONI) KIND

FRANK KING

MR. HANK KLEVBERGJOYCE KNAPSTADWILLIAM (BILL) KURTHPASTOR NORMAN LANDVIKDENNIS LECKFREIDA LENTZNERVENETA (VENNY) LENZMEIER

MARLA LEONARDLESLEY LITESRAMONA JAPPE LOHSEJEANIE LYONSHARVEY MARQUIS

PAUL E. (ED) MATTEUCCI

RAE ANNE MCCAFFERTYJEWELL MCELHENNYJIM MINGS

BROTHER TIM MURPHYSUE NALDERJAN LEMIEUX NELSONLORRAINE OTTORAYMOND PAPINEAUFELIX PARKS

ROSS PEACE

MR. & MRS. LARRY & MARY BENNETT MRS. LUCILLE KRAJACICH MS. JUDI MIGLIO, MS. JANA MIGLIO & MS.

JANA OBERLENDERDR. & MRS. DON & CAROL SPURGEON MR. & MRS. MAYNARD & JENNY ULLERY MR. & MRS. BOB & JUDY MCINTYRE ANONYMOUS MR. & MRS. MORTY & MAGGIE BOYD MR. & MRS. DWIGHT & JULIA COOK MR. & MRS. LARRY & DONNA DUGAS MRS. MARY FRANCES ELOFF MR. & MRS. IVAN & PATRICIA KONEN MS. SHARON KOUGL MR. & MRS. SCOTT & LORI MATHENY MR. & MRS. SKIP & COLLETTE NEUMAN MS. MARY VOLLERTSEN MS. PATRICIA KNOTTNERUS MR. & MRS. ARDEN & MARTHA SUNWALL MR. & MRS. ARDEN & MARTHA SUNWALL MRS. JUANITA ROSALES MR. & MRS. DAVE & MARJORIE MALONEY MR. & MRS. ARDEN & MARTHA SUNWALL MR. & MRS. DWAYNE & JAN IRVIN MR. & MRS. DWAINE & VIVIAN WALL MRS. RUTH BETTS MS. CHRIS FALETTI MR. & MRS. ZACHARY & ANNA LOVORN MS. NADA PITT MR. & MRS. BILL & SHIRLEY RAMMER MS. ELIZABETH SHEA MR. & MRS. GLEN & KATHLEEN STEWART MR. & MRS. DICK & JUDY GASVODA MR. & MRS. REDDICK & FREIDA SIBLEY MS. PATRICIA KNOTTNERUS MR. & MRS. DWAYNE & JAN IRVIN MR. & MRS. MARK & LYN ANDERSON MR. & MRS. LARRY & DONNA DUGAS FIRST INTERSTATE BANK EMPLOYEES MR. & MRS. EVAN & TWYLA JONES MR. & MRS. RICH & JANET LEE MRS. JULIE LINDSETH MS. BETTY MACDONALD MRS. LORETTA MARQUIS MR. & MRS. DONALD & BEVERLY MCKAMEY MR. & MRS. LEE & JANIS PATE MS. JUDY PLESKAC MR. & MRS. WILLIAM & JUANITA POLSTON MR. & MRS. BEN & KYLA RIGBY MR. DONALD ROEHM MR. & MRS. WAYNE & BECKY SHONG MR. & MRS. PATRICK & LORETTA STANDLEY MS. JACKIE STRANDELL MR. & MRS. DAN & NELDA STROOP TIMELESS SEEDS, INC. MR. & MRS. DAVE & SUSAN WALKER MR. & MRS. GREGORY HOLT: HARDROCK

OIL COMPANYMR. & MRS. ROGER & ALMEDA TERRY MR. & MRS. WILLIAM & JOANN GOLD MR. & MRS. ARDEN & MARTHA SUNWALL MR. & MRS. RICK & JEANNE WILSON MR. & MRS. DANA & KELLY AUDET MS. PATRICIA KNOTTNERUS MR. & MRS. WAYNE OLSON MS. PATRICIA KNOTTNERUS MR. & MRS. LEROY & JOANN VANNETT MR. & MRS. RICHARD & CONNIE BUECHLER:

BUECHLER FARMMR. & MRS. HAROLD & INEZ GAARDER

memorials

memorials continued

Great Falls Rescue Mission is a non-profit, Christian organization committed to caring for the hungry, hurting and homeless of North Central Montana. The Mission believes lives can be changed by actively demonstrating and sharing the love of Jesus Christ and meeting a person’s spiritual, physical, emotional and social needs. Great Falls Rescue Mission’s various ministries ease the burden of the most vulnerable, rebuild the lives of the broken and offer dignity to those who feel cast aside.

ALLAN PEARSONDOUGLAS A. PETERSEN

IDA PETROFFED PREMOMARGE (MARGIE) SALO

DOROTHY SAMPSONHELEN SCHNEEHELEN SHANAHAN

RICHARD & ROSE SHANNONMICHAEL SHOLLEYESTHER SHOQUISTBETTY FRY SILVANMARY SILVIUSDORIS SMITHESTHER SORENSONVANDA SOUTHERLANDBRANDON STAIGMILLER

DORRIE STEVENSDALE (STU) STEWART

THELMA TACKE

MS. PATRICIA KNOTTNERUS ANONYMOUS MR. & MRS. JOHN & PATRICIA BANKA MR. JOHN BLANCHET MR. & MRS. FLOYD & DOLORES FRISBEE MS. CYNTHIA GOLD MR. & MRS. JOE & DEBBY PERRY: CIRCLE S RANCHMR. & MRS. DWAYNE & JAN IRVIN MR. & MRS. DWAYNE & JAN IRVIN BOWMAN RANCH, INC: RUSS & MARCIA BOWMANMR. & MRS. DAN & CHERYL DEVINE MRS. BENNA MCGEORGE MR. & MRS. RYAN & GAIL MILLER MR. JOHN SHEFFELS MR. & MRS. FRANK & LOIS STIMAC MS. JUNE VANKOTEN ANONYMOUS MR. & MRS. DWAYNE & JAN IRVIN MRS. SANDY CLAPSHAW MR. & MRS. ELLIS & EVELYN CONOLEY MS. NORMA GRAHAM MS. LOUISE HAABY MRS. MINNIE ISLER MR. & MRS. STEPHEN & CINDY KEASTER:

KEASTER CONSTRUCTIONMR. & MRS. EUGENE & BEVERLY SHANAHAN MR. & MRS. JERRY & CAROL SHANAHAN MR. & MRS. RON & RENAE MUNSON MR. & MRS. ROBERT & DORIS MCPEEK MRS. GAIL CARTER MS. PATRICIA KNOTTNERUS MR. & MRS. ORAN & SYLVIA BENZING MS. DOROTHY CUMMINGS MR. & MRS. PETER & JOYCE SCHUSTER EMELIE CENTER ST. MARTIN DE PORRES MISSIONMR. & MRS. RICH & CAROLYN LOVE MR. & MRS. GLEN & KATHLEEN STEWART MR. & MRS. DWAYNE & JAN IRVIN MS. KARLENE FRANK MR. & MRS. CHUCK & SYLVIA HARANT MRS. ALTA MAE PALLETT MR. & MRS. ERNEST & ANNETTE POLUTNIK MR. & MRS. DAVID & SHIRLEY SHANE SPECTRUM MEDICAL, INC. MR. & MRS. RONALD & PAMELA UNDERWOOD MR. & MRS. DAVID & PATRICIA VAN TIGHEM MS. JANET VESTRE MR. TERRY MICHELOTTI MR. & MRS. RON & ELAINE SEABURG

TAMMY BEAVERPETE BLESKIN’S 76TH BIRTHDAYMIKE & RUTH GATESTRISH HAAGENSONGRANT HODGESTHE LORD JESUSDENNIS LYNESRANDY & TRISH (HAAGENSON) LYNES

D.A. DAVIDSON & COMPANYMS. MARCIA OUELLETTED.A. DAVIDSON & COMPANYKIM OK-KEEMR. J. WADE HODGESMR. & MRS. KARL & IVY BIRKYMS. TIENA LYNESMR. GEORGE CAMPROSMR. & MRS. FRANCIS & DANA FARMERMR. & MRS. GENE & SHIRLEY GOULETMR. & MRS. JAYME & LINDA LYNESMR. & MRS. LARRY & MARLENE MCEWENMS. KARI RATLIFF

IN MEMORY OF GIVEN BY

EMMA P. BEIRWAGENJACKIE CRAIGDOROTHY GOODNOWRAY A. HANELMARY KRUPARVENETA (VENNY) LENZMEIERART MEHRERROBERT & NELLIE NEILBILL OLINGERFRED RUBINODEL SCHMIDTMR. MAGNE TELNESBRENT C. TURNERC. JACK TURNERRON UPHAMMIRIAM WELLMANLEE WYKOFF

MRS. JUDY BELOATE MRS. JUDY BELOATE MR. JOHN GOODNOW ESTATE OF MR. RAY A. HANELDR. JOHN MURPHY MR. & MRS. CHARLES & KELLY MAKI MR. & MRS. TERRY & PAULA OLINGER DR. & MRS. DAVE & SHELLEY NEIL MR. & MRS. TERRY & PAULA OLINGER MR. & MRS. PAUL & JANET RUBINO MR. & MRS. JAMES & SHARON KUNKA MR. & MRS. ARDEN & MARTHA SUNWALL MRS. PEG TURNER MRS. PEG TURNER MR. & MRS. KYLE & DONNA RUDOLPH MRS. JUDY BELOATE MR. & MRS. ARDEN & MARTHA SUNWALL

IN MEMORY OF GIVEN BY

LOUIS BEIRWAGENFRANK & JEWEL KINGVERA NELSON

MRS. JUDY BELOATEMRS. JUDY BELOATEMR. & MRS. SCOTT & SONDRA BURNETTMR. & MRS. DOMINIC & BETHANY HUMPHREY

FAMILY CENTER

IN HONOR OF GIVEN BY

honorariumsIN HONOR OF GIVEN BY

FAMILY CENTER

BRYON THOMASRON UPHAM

LOUIE VAN SETTEN

WILLARD VANNETTMIGNON WATERMANJOHN WEIGANDROBERT WIGENJACK L. WILLIAMSBILL WISEMANROGER WOLTER

REV. CHARLES A. (CHUCK) WOODWORTH

MRS. DEANNE PRIDEAUX MRS. JUDY BELOATE MS. PATRICIA KNOTTNERUS MR. & MRS. HAROLD & INEZ GAARDER MS. JEANNINE MANUEL MS. MARGARET OWEN MR. & MRS. LEROY & JOANN VANNETT MR. & MRS. HERB & FERN TRONSON MR. & MRS. DWAYNE & JAN IRVIN MR. & MRS. JON & CAROL WIGEN MRS. VICTORIA J. WILLIAMSMR. & MRS. PAT & CANDY WAGNER MS. MARIANNE HAIGH MRS. MARILLYN THOMASMS. BETH AKLESTAD MRS. DELIA ATKINSON MR. & MRS. TOM & COLLEEN BRAUN MR. & MRS. GROVER & BETH BRIGGS MR. & MRS. BILL & SUSAN DUERRE MS. SANDRA HAYES MRS. PHYLLIS MYHRE MR. & MRS. BRIAN & DOLORES SKINNER MR. & MRS. RICHARD & DEBRA STEINBACHER MR. & MRS. BRAD & NANCY TOMSHECK MS. LAUREL WALKER

IN MEMORY OF GIVEN BY