Announcements: Ray announced that there would be a brief board meeting after the club meeting. He passed around a picture of the plaque that will be presented to Taylor McWhorter during our
club assembly. Ray thanked everyone who participated at Fairgate.
Mark reminded everyone of the fundraiser for polio at Geisler Studio with the opening reception on Saturday 27 from 6-7:30
pm.

Ray said we have two people who have completed membership applications, Matt Stephens, assistant administrator at the hospital; and Adriana J. (AJ) Lindsey from 1st  New Mexico Bank.
Jim Callender said he had received an email from George Turner and there is about $600 still available in our scholarship account. After discussion, Jim moved to let the school decide to whom to award the money, seconded by Peter Falley, the motion passed.

 

 

Happy Dollars: Linda Telaak said she may have an escrow closing in California before the end of the week.

 

Ray introduced Vincent Laupola, manager of the Silver City Gospel Mission (Picture at right, with Marcia Johnson). He gave  quick history of the Mission which was founded in 1987 by John Pershing who was looking for resources to help out with the homeless. The Sierra House next to the Mission was given to them later and is used to house abused children and battered women. The Mission is a non-profit governed by a local board and staffed by a small number of of volunteers. Although they do many things, the Mission is primarily a soup kitchen offering breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. They are also a food and clothing bank. They are partnered with Roadrunner
Food Bank and distribute large amounts of food through their pantry every Thursday. They also have a thrift store with all proceeds going back into the Mission. They offer laundry and shower services five days a week to anyone who needs this. In addition, they hold Bible studies every Tuesday morning. All services are free of charge. They partner with El Refugio, The Commons, the Neumann Center, and SPIN, dropping off food to these locations. They also work closely with the town of Silver City, numerous churches, and other non-profits with the goal of pooling their resources to provide an environment to achieve stability and hope for their clients. Although they do cater to the homeless, the larger population they help are senior citizens, especially grandparents raising grandchildren.
He wanted to discuss what God has done at the Mission. He has witnessed individuals overcoming drug addiction and women finding domestic support, finding employment. Mr. Laupola shared his personal history in dealing with homelessness, drug abuse, and
incarceration. Because of this he feels he can better sympathize with the Mission's clients and provide a place where they can feel welcomed with dignity. He said they try to give hope and take off the face of despair and believe in “a hand-up approach rather than a handout approach.”
He said the number of homeless in Silver City seems to be going up, new faces every week, and most of them are not local. He does not have an answer to this problem, but they turn no one
away.

 

After a question and answer period, the meeting was adjourned at 1:00 pm.