ALLEY SWEEP- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dear Anonymous Donor

A heart-felt “THANK YOU from the homeless recipients, of your generous donation.”

We were loading our Care-A-Van last February 26 and noticed our supply of blankets was nearly exhausted due the very cold and wet winter. Our blanket donations have been higher than ever, but the demands for them were even higher. While loading the van, a delivery truck arrived with your donation of 100 Blue fleece blankets, just in time to add to the supply of blankets we needed for that night.

Dearest donor, you will surely receive your reward in heaven for your love and compassion for our homeless friends. Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward

you openly. Matthew 6:1,3-4

A fter about four days of rain the sun finally sends out its warming and drying rays Most times, this is a

joyous time as this gives the homeless camps a chance to dry out their blankets and clothing on any available fence, but today is different in our alley. Several days earlier, notices were posted advising our the homeless there would be another “sweep” or cleanup, and today’s the day. It’s 7:30 am and most of the homeless have already picked up all the belongs they want to keep and left the rest behind. In about an hour, the city will arrive with its Trash truck along with their help dressed in haz-mat clothing, and two police officers, to start their bi-weekly clean-up. The clean-up is necessary to help maintain a

safe and healthier environment for the homeless. The city may even use power washers or Street Cleaners if they are needed. Today, it was done mostly by brooms. In an hour or so, the alley is clean, and one would never have known that a homeless encampment had occupied the whole alley. Not too many minutes after the city leaves, the first of the alley residents begin returning and setting up their tents, in the same place, next to familiar neighbors, and life in the alley renews. “Their homes” had been cleaned; the floor is clean and swept, and now its “sit and wait time.” Waiting to see if they will be one the fortunate ones who gets housing this week, or before the next sweep. �

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Blessed Beyond Measure…

Thank You Rolling Hills Covenant

I recently received a call from Rolling Hills Covenant Church - they were inquiring how could they help,

what could they donate, what is the need? I mentioned a few items that we are in constant need of and a few items I thought would really bless the women. Little did I think that just a week or so later that 3 carloads of underwear, clothing, hygiene and snacks for our dayroom attendees would come through our back gates. THANK YOU RHCC, Susan and all CBS Members …truly blessed beyond measure!

Thank You Harbor Church

I t was a pleasure speaking at the Re-Launch fellowship potluck that was a kick-off of the

Women’s Ministry aptly & newly named “Devoted”. The food and fellowship that night was of course terrific; but what touched our heart was your heart to serve and help those in need! We are so grateful; & our guests are so grateful for your generosity, compassion and devotion. Thank You!

DOORS OF HOPE

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MMA (Medical Mission Adventures)

held their first of three planned med ica l outreaches for the communities homeless at BLM/DOH this month. As in the past, they get bigger and better, and the homeless line up earlier at each event. These events cost BLM/DOH between $2,000to $3000 each time, but the quality and care our guests get whether its dental, medical, vision, or pharmaceutical, would cost many times more than the cost to us. This is because of the volunteers who make this whole plan work…people helping people. If you would like to donate to this outreach; just write MMA Fund on the bottom of your check, and this will help us to offset our cost.

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MISSIONARIES O

n Feb 24, rolling Hills Covenant Church hosted their annual Missionary weekend with missionaries attending from 32 other

countries plus missionaries from the South Bay to Alaska, and throughout our neighbors in the Americas and Canada. Beacon Light Mission and Doors of Hope Women’s Shelter are one of the 80 missionaries RHCC supports and provided a table to reach out on behalf of the homeless in the South Bay. Our delegates, Sandra Denney and Christina Haynes from Doors of Hope were on site from 8a.m. to about 1:30p.m. answering numerous questions and passing out information about the missions and our services. Being with, listening to, and visiting the different missionaries’ tables, was a positive uplifting, informative, time in which we see how God is using us mere servants to promote His plan of salvation for the free and the oppressed, the poor and the rich, the young and the old, from different nations, tongues and peoples. We all came home thanking God for the opportunity to serve Him. �

DO YOU OR YOUR ORGANIZATION WANT TO MAKE HYGIENE KITS? A hygiene kit is one of the most requested items our homeless friends ask for, and one the most asked question as to what to put in a hygiene kit from those who want to make up hygiene kits. Based on our experience at the Mission and in the field, we have put together 2 suggested hygiene kits:

Online Shopping at...

N ow you can donate items to the mission from the comfort of your own home or office. We have created an Amazon Wish

List. We have diligently searched for selected quality items that will last for the best possible prices within the amazon.com website.

Amazon Instructions: Go to Amazon.com and in the upper right corner hover over the lists button and select Find a List or Registry and type in Beacon Light Mission or Doors of Hope Women’s Shelter. There you will find their list of needs. “Check Out” as you normally would, selecting Beacon Light Mission or Doors of Hope Women’s Shelter as your shipping address. The items will be sent directly to the mission. It’s as easy as that! If you need assistance call Gina at (310) 830-7063. �

Quart size Ziploc bag: � Tooth brush; 9 oz tooth paste; floss � Soap, small i.e., travel size � Shampoo, motel size � Mouth wash, non-alcoholic � Band Aids, 8 pack � Hand cream, small � Lip Balm � Comb � Cotton balls and Q-tips, 6 of each in snack size Ziploc

Hard candies are always nice, but no water, sodas, fruit drinks, etc. “Love” notes & tracts are especially appreciated.

Gallon size Ziploc bag: � Tooth brush; 9 oz tooth paste; floss � Soap, small i.e., travel size � Shampoo, travel size � Mouth wash, non-alcoholic � Band Aids, 8 pack � Hand cream, small � Lip Balm � Comb � Cotton balls and Q-tips, 6 of each in snack size Ziploc � Wet wipes, 10 or 20 count � Skin cream � 2 disposable razors, or packaged razor with shave cream � 1 pair of crew socks

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Holy Bibles We are running out of Bibles; Praise God!

Some get battered and “well used” but mostly they are kept by our homeless

friends, for which we are thankful.

What do we need… We need about 100 bibles, preferably NKJV. If your church

or you know of some church who has changed their old

bibles for new and still have the old ones, we would love to have them. We also need about 100 paperback bibles for

people who have accepted Christ in chapel, and to give away. If you would like to purchase some bibles or prefer

to donate to our Bible Replacement Fund; just mention

or write on your check; Bible Replacement Fund. �

M any of you will remember

David who came to the Mission about 2011 and

worked in the dining room. He was that tall thin gentleman who had

impeccable manners; a strong desire

to make our guests feel welcome. Armed with a college education and

teachers credentials, he couldn’t teach here in California because his

credentials were not accepted here. David was with us about two years and was observed by one

of our dining room volunteers who asked us about him.

When we described our opinions, along with David’s many abilities and intellect, the volunteer stated he was going to

“try to steal him away.” Two weeks later, David was working in the field full time for a company who inspected

refineries massive assemblies of oil lines. He worked his way

up to where he was tutoring Pipe Fitters in math so they could pass State exams. After visiting Washington, he

decided to move to the Northwest and is presently living in Tacoma where he is a math instructor at a local Technical

College. �

M ark Glover came to Beacon Light Mission

shortly after becoming homeless and was brought onto

the Team very early in his stay. He

worked in various areas but was noted for his technical skills. After

being at BLM for years, Mark was able to move out on his own. He

was volunteering as tech member

at RHCC but moved to a satellite church where he continued working as an Audio tech, during regular services, special

events, weddings and funerals. Recently Mark was contracted by a company that was making a film where he is

listed in the credits as the Sound Director. Mark said that his stay at BLM literally saved his life physically, but mostly

Spiritually. �

Mark Glover

Do you remember...

David Tischler

Mission Needs � Men’s Jeans (size 34-48) Urgent � Men's Underwear � Women’s Underwear (size 5-6-7) � Razors � Dish Soap Food Needs � Spaghetti � Linguine � Penne � Farfelle (bowtie pasta) � Rotini � Elbow Macaroni Canned Food Large # 10 cans please � Chili Con Carne � Green and/or red enchilada sauce � Diced tomatoes � Tomato sauce � Green beans � Corn Other Food Items � Vegetable oil & Olive oil � Cornbread mix

Current Needs

NOW HEAR THIS! One of our biggest consumables is breakfast cereals. Many of our men will eat two, three, or four bowls of cereal in the morning before going off to work or looking for work. We buy most of our cereal at Smart & Final and purchase the large 28oz. Bags, where we get more for our money. These are the most frequently bought:

� First Street Corn Flakes � First Street Rice Crispies � First Street Honey Nut Toasties � 14 or 20 oz. Tasteeos

Beacon Light Mission & Doors of Hope Women’s Shelter 525 Broad Avenue Wilmington, CA 90744

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID

SAN PEDRO CA PERMIT 102

DONATION DROP OFF

You may drop off your food, clothing or other donations any time between 8:00am-6:00pm for both Beacon Light and Doors of Hope. Just go to the back gate of the Beacon Light Mission or Doors of Hope and honk your horn. Someone

will come out and collect your donations.

Financial donations on our websites:

Beacon Light www.beaconlightmission.org

Doors of Hope www.doorsofhopewomensshelter.org

Or by mail to:

525 Broad Avenue, Wilmington, CA 90744

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Roy Barile, President

Lee Ettenger, Vice President

Christian Bower, Secretary

Kent Meyer, Treasurer

Paul Dever

Dan Fox

Gretchen Goldsmith

Margaret Grieco

Pastor Jewel Jones

Ronald Okamoto

Lila Omura

Anthony Sogliuzzo

CONTACT INFORMATION

Beacon Light Mission 525 Broad Avenue, Wilmington, CA 90744

(310) 830-7063 email: beaconlightm@aol.com www.beaconlightmission.org

Doors of Hope Women’s Shelter

529 Broad Avenue, Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 518-3667

email: dohws@att.net www.doorsofhopewomensshelter.org

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I can do all things through Christ

who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is qualified to receive tax-deductible donations.

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to minister the love and

grace of Jesus Christ to the homeless in the South Bay by providing a safe and nurturing environment where they can receive food, clothing, temporary shelter, discipleship and spiritual encouragement in their present life circumstances.

In February with

your help, we

were able to...

1579

Attended

Chapel Service

serve 2889

meals per

day

assign 1142 beds provide

showers for

401*

*Open showers are for any homeless man or woman. Each person is given clothing, hygiene items and served a hot

breakfast.