2010 Fundraising Banquet - May 7th - Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center

The Burlington Emergency Shelter annual fundraising banquet will take place on Friday, May 7, 2010 from 6:15pm to 9:00pm at the Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center at 870 Williston Rd., So. Burlington, VT 05403 - Ph. 866.716.8120.  This year's guest speaker is Mike Yankoski, author, Under the Overpass, advocate for the least of these.  See Annual Banquet Event.

New Executive Director and New Office Administrator
by Jim Goff, Chairman, BES Board of Directors

Dale Cawthon joined the BES team on December 7, 2009 as our new executive director. Dale comes to us from McKinney, Texas, but he has roots in Vermont through his wife Lynn, whose parents (Ed and Marty Wilbur) live in the New North End of Burlington. Also, Sarah Hamilton began work at BES on November 24, 2009 as our new office administrator. Sarah and her husband Daniel recently moved to Vermont from Schenectady, NY. They, too, have family roots in Vermont. Dale and Sarah both have a heart for the homeless and for the Lord. Welcome aboard, Dale and Sarah.

Flower Power 2010 Spring Fundraiser is on-line ready for orders!

The Burlington Emergency Shelter is pleased to announce the 2010 Spring Flower Power Fundraiser. Our campaign goal this year is $5,000. This program, from Flower Power Fundraising, a sister company of Gardener’s Supply of Burlington, offers a terrific assortment of the freshest, top-quality, best-selling flower bulbs and plants available from growers in Holland and the U. S. guaranteed to grow and bring beauty to your yard and garden for years to come. We believe this new fundraiser, with your help, will be successful!  See Flower Power Fundraising Event.

Another successful year! - 2009 Helping Hands Gift Wrap Fundraiser

On behalf of the Burlington Emergency Shelter, we want to thank you for your faithful support of the Helping Hands Gift Wrap Fundraiser! The help of many individuals, businesses, churches, schools and other volunteer groups were essential in making this fundraiser an amazing success! With all your help, we raised $13,546.26! These funds will be vital in helping defray the Shelter’s operating expenses, particularly in these tough economic times. Thank you to all. Your support and encouragement in this work plays a vital role in our mission.  See Gift Wrap Event.

New Office Administrator
by Sarah Hamilton

Greetings Faithful Shelter Supporters! It has been my honor to join the staff of the Burlington Emergency Shelter, beginning in November of 2009. My thanks goes to Karen Fossi for her assistance in helping me to transfer into this role, and for her ongoing support of the Shelter. I also thank the Board and staff for their support and for giving me the opportunity to serve here. My husband Daniel and I have been married for three years on October 6th this year. We recently relocated back to Vermont after living in New York. While living there, I was the Children’s Minister at our home church for 5 years, and then spent a year and a half at the local City Mission of Schenectady. I served there in two roles; Child Enrichment Associate and Assistant to the Family Life Center Director. My husband is an artist and a musician, and also works as a Medical Technician serving the elderly in our community. We currently reside in Bristol, VT with our parents, Rodger and Marisa, our brother, Robert and a bunch of animals! We attend Bristol Christian Fellowship and love serving the Lord there. I praise God forleading me here to the Shelter and pray that I will be a blessing to my brothers and sisters in need.

The Good Samaritan - Lk. 10:25  - The Transcendence of Self
by Dale Cawthon, BES Executive Director

The story of the Good Samaritan serves us well in examining our motives. As we pose our questions to God, much like the expert in the law did to Jesus, we discover that we are given more than an answer. We are given insight to ourselves. Being a good neighbor who shows love is characterized by sacrifice. The sacrifice of the Samaritan’s time and resources; the risk, inconvenience and hardship of his decision to care; the trust of stewardship extended to the innkeeper; the detachment from what is materialistic for what is humanitarian; the further investment into this person’s future well-being is contrasted against life lived in justification of the existence we think will please God. In addition, the story shows no obligation or indebtedness on the part of this person to the Samaritan by the Samaritan. Join us here at the Burlington Emergency Shelter and let us together be a good neighbor because this strength of leadership we desperately need today. With heart, with soul, with mind, and with strength engage the maladies of others and demonstrate devotion to God as his instrument of mercy.

More Newsletter Highlights

• Volunteer Sidebar - Learn who's who as a volunteer in this issue.
• BES Improvements - Review the past, present, and future.
• Meal preparations grow to 30 adults.
  

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