Interfaith Coalition is now on YouTube. “Giving from a Grateful Heart” is the title of the eight-minute video that describes the transformative value of giving time or money to support Interfaith Coalition programs that benefit our neighbors in need. The short documentary, which features interviews with volunteers and staff, was produced by the Northwest Documentary Network.
Click on this link to watch it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbByQ_-U8aY
Thank you to Binyon Vision Center in Bellingham for donating a percentage of its May sales to Interfaith Coalition. The $1,348 donation supports programs that provide housing to homeless families; medical, dental, and behavioral health to all in need; and social connection to isolated seniors. This is the fourth year Binyon Vision Center has designated a percentage of one month’s sales to Interfaith Coalition.
Supporters gave generously at our auction on March 28, raising $125,000 for programs that provide housing to homeless families, health care to all in need, and social connection to isolated seniors. Nearly 350 guests bidded on the more than 400 items donated by individuals and businesses.
In these times of economic uncertainty, the commitment of individuals and businesses to those in need in our community is inspiring. During the direct donations segment of our live auction, donors raised their bid cards again and again in a dramatic demonstration of giving money to support their values, raising $46,950 in a period of about 10 minutes.
Join others who share your faith in the beauty and potenital of all people for a festive evening at our spring auction on Saturday, March 28 at the Lakeway Inn, 714 Lakeway Dr., in Bellingham. The coalition’s biggest fundraising event of the year, “Each One a Blossom in the Garden of Hope,” begins at 5:30 p.m. With three silent auctions and a live auction, the event will offer plenty of opportunity to put your money to work in ways that support your highest values and intentions for people in need in our community.
Proceeds from the auction will help to house homeless families, provide access to health care for all people in need, and support outreach efforts to lonely and isolated seniors. Tickets cost $40 each. Price includes a sit-down dinner.
For more information, to purchase tickets, or to make a donation, please call our office at 734-3983.
Enjoy a concert of inspirational music sung by choirs from 10 Interfaith Coalition member congregations on Saturday, Feb. 28 beginning at 1 p.m. at Assumption Catholic Church, 2116 Cornwall Ave. in Bellingham. Individual performances by each choir will culminate in the performance of two compositions by a combined choir of more than 275 voices. The event is free. An offering to support the coalition’s programs, which assist local people in need, will be accepted gratefully.
Please plan to attend our annual meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 27 and bring friends to hear first hand how your support helps people in need. The meeting, which begins at 7 p.m., is uplifting and provides an opportunity to connect with friends from Interfaith Coalition member congregations. Trinity Lutheran Church is hosting the meeting in its new Grace Center at Cornwall and Texas streets in Bellingham.
Our severe-weather shelter at Faith Lutheran Church will continue to open its doors through Christmas night to homeless individuals who wish to get out of the snow and cold. The shelter at Northwest Avenue and McLeod Road is open from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m.
The shelter has been open each night since Saturday, Dec. 13, and has provided warmth and safety to a steadily increasing number of people. Last night, Dec. 21, 88 individuals spent the night indoors at the volunteer-staffed shelter.
Individuals who need transportation to the shelter can ride Salt on the Street’s van from the Rainbow Center and Church on the Street between 5 and 9:30 p.m.
For more information, call 734-3983.
Our severe-weather shelter will open again on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, Dec. 19-21, at Faith Lutheran Church, Northwest Avenue and McLeod Road, from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. Salt on the Street will continue to provide transportation to the shelter, making pickups at Rainbow Center and Church on the Street between 5 and 9:30 p.m.
The number of homeless individuals seeking warmth and safety has steadily increased since last Saturday night, when our severe-weather shelters opened for the first time this season. Following are the numbers of individuals who have stayed at the shelters each night:
Night Men Women
Saturday 40 5
Sunday 50 4
Monday 69 6
Tuesday 66 7
Wednesday 70 7
Thursday 75 12
We continue to monitor weather forecasts and will open our severe-weather shelter when temperatures are in the low 20’s or below, or snow is on the ground for consecutive days. Call 734-3983 for updated information or log back onto our website.
Our severe-weather shelter for homeless men, women and children will open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights, Dec. 17-19, to offer warmth and safety to individuals who otherwise may be on the streets during the current winter storm. The shelter at Faith Lutheran Church on Northwest Avenue and McLeod Road will be open from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. each day.
Prior to Wednesday women and children stayed overnight at our severe-weather shelter at Garden Street United Methodist Church. The shelters are being consolidated at Faith Lutheran to conserve volunteer resources for what is expected to be a long-term need, as overnight temperatures are projected to remain in the teens and low 20’s for another week or more. The shelters are staffed by volunteers, who also provide simple meals to those who drop in or stay overnight.
The shelters first opened this season on Saturday, Dec. 13, and have reopened each night since then. Following are the numbers of individuals who have stayed at the shelters each night:
Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday
40 men, 5 women 50 men, 4 women 69 men, 6 women 66 men, 7 women
Salt on the Street will continue to provide transportation to the shelter at Faith Lutheran Church, picking up men, women and children at Rainbow Center and Church on the Street between 5 and 9:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, we are monitoring weather forecasts and will determine on Friday if our severe-weather shelter will be open through the weekend. Criteria are temperatures in the low 20’s or below, or snow on the ground for consecutive days. Call 788-7983 or 734-3983 for updated information or log back onto our website.
Fifty-four men and four women with children were safe and warm last night at our two severe-weather shelters, which will be open again tonight, Monday, Dec. 15, and tomorrow night, Tuesday, Dec. 16. The shelters –for women and children at Garden Street United Methodist Church, 1326 North Garden St.; and for men at Faith Lutheran Church, Northwest Avenue and McLeod Road– will be open from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Salt on the Street will provide transportation to the shelters from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Its marked van makes pickups at Church on the Street and Rainbow Center.
We anticipate the shelters, which are staffed by volunteers, will remain open throughout the week, as long as overnight lows continue in the teens or low 20’s.
Updates are available by calling our shelter hotline at 788-7983 or our office at 734-3983.On Saturday, the first time the shelters were open this fall, five women with children and 40 men spent the night.
