They Shall Overcome....
Mission 2010 Marathon Team Succeeds!
 Congratulations to our 2010 Marathon team, who overcame a pesky crosswind and other difficult hurdles to finish the race! Here are the official results:
Anthony Dabney, former Mission program member and 2 time marathon finisher, overcame major calf cramps to finish the race in 5:22. He was met by his son, Avante, at the finish line. Anthony celebrates 7 years of sobriety this year.
Paul Merrigan posted a 4:23 official time as the fastest on the team-- "I have never had so much fun while being in so much pain" said Paul. "It was uplifting and an honor to know that I had your support and prayers behind me."
Mission President John Samaan overcame a knee lockup in mile 14 by fast-walking for 9 miles to loosen up, then finishing the last 4 miles in a steady jog. 5:14 was John's official time.
Special thanks go out to Kirsten Chervinsky, whose fundraising efforts, along with those of the running team, will help to provide clean, life-giving water to a rural village in Haiti. Read the full story below.
Were you able to support our 2010 Marathon team? It's easy, and there's still time!
1. Click the Donate Now! button in the upper right corner
2. Check the 2010 Boston Marathon box
3. Fill in the Runner's Name box, or "All" if you prefer, and specify an amount to the right.
4. To return your gift in the mail, make your check to Boston Rescue Mission with Marathon Team in the memo line. Mail the envelope to:
Marathon Gift
Boston Rescue Mission
P.O. Box 120069
Boston MA 02112-0069
And thanks for going the distance with us!
Help rebuild shattered lives in Haiti
When you click on the Donate Now! button in the
upper right hand corner, select the Help Haiti's Homeless fund. 100% of your donation will go directly to residents of
the village of L'Asile in southwest Haiti (see map).
Earthquake survivors are seeking access to clean water and rebuilding over 200 homes destroyed in the earthquake. Your
support can help to restore critical services to a town unlikely to receive other aid anytime soon.
In mid January of this year, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake killed over 150,000 people in the small country of Haiti in the
Caribbean Sea. Tons of debris and dozens of strong aftershocks slowed relief efforts, which will continue for months or
years. Those who survived must slowly rebuild new lives for themselves. The Boston Rescue Mission has partnered with a
generous supporter to help provide relief efforts to rural Haitians in need.
Alternatively, if you prefer to send a check, please make it out to the Boston Rescue Mission with Haiti Fund in the memo line. May God bless you for caring!
Year Up and State Street team up to feed the hungry
This winter, we celebrate the partnerships of Year Up and State Street with the Boston Rescue Mission. In a recent food drive, Year Up collected and donated over 1,900 food items to benefit our community meals and food pantry programs. With the help of State Street food donations, the two organizations last year combined to provide over 3,000 pounds of food for needy women and men. That translates to over 5,000 meals throughout the year! We also proudly host volunteer groups from both Year Up and State Street on a monthly basis.
Donations like these supplement the six daily meals that we serve to in house residents, street and community folks, and our overnight shelter program guests. These gifts also stock our Food Pantry program, which offers assistance to families and individuals that have housing but struggle financially each month.
You can make a difference to needy men and women! Donating food and other in kind items such as toiletries, towels and sheets are a great way to directly influence those around you that desperately need our help. Enlisting members of your workplace, church, play group, book club, or civic organization can multiply the good you do. Contact our volunteer coordinator or Eric Grenfell-Muir for more information on how you can help!
Dental Students Serve Mission Guests
 During winter vacation, members of the Harvard University Dental School visited the Boston Rescue Mission to examine Mission guests and educate the community about dental health. 26 program members received smoking cessation and dental hygiene education and complete dental exams. More than 100 tooth brushes, packages of toothpaste and floss were provided to the Boston homeless community. Follow-up service information and local dental referrals were also included.
Students helped to organize and run the event, and setup a call service to remind residents of dental appointments. Students discovered that one of the biggest difficulties for clinics providing free or low cost dental care is when people neglect to attend their appointments. A call reminder service seems the most likely means of reaching a patient without a mailbox or email, and a simple way to begin some permanent change within the homeless community. A hearty thanks to the students, residents, and faculty of Harvard for their contributions!
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| BRM Billboards
Have you seen our billboard this year? We were greatly assisted by our friends at ClearChannel who have also made us a partner in their ClearChannel Cares program supporting the local community. The main billboard can be seen driving into Boston from the south on 93 North. Our billboard campaign will be going on throughout the year.
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| Help from all over
In Recognition of their support and initiative everyone at the Mission would like to thank...
Nicole and Courtney of the Salter School for their very successful sock drive... Mary Beth and the 9th grade CCD class who collected an assortment of items for the Mission...Coldwell of New England for their generous gift of soaps and shampoo... New Balance for their ongoing support with shoes for our homeless clients...
Thank you to the Boston Public Market Association for organizing the fresh produce farmers market across from South Station in Dewey Sq. Also to MaCarthur Farm, Keown Orchards, Red Fire Farm and Kimball Fruit Farm for their ongoing farm fresh vegetable and fruit donations.
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