Current News at the Mission

Christmas Event Experiences 17% Increase at the Durham Rescue Mission

The Durham Rescue Mission hosted their Annual Community Christmas Dinner feeding 3,332 homeless, hungry, and needy men, women, and children of the Triangle. The number of attendees is a dramatic 17% increase from those in attendance at the Christmas Event in 2008. Many of the individuals expressed that they were present because of the poor economy and wanted to make sure their children had toys for Christmas.

This event is held outdoors at the Mission’s Mens Campus located at 1201 East Main Street. The Mission’s current dining room will only accommodate 80 people so there is no other choice but to conduct this event outside.
Mission staff and volunteers experienced a beautiful day. The early morning hours were considerably cold as volunteers finished up cooking the 150 turkeys and 70 hams for the meal, but the temperatures rose throughout the day. All were thankful for the opportunity to help the less-fortunate for the Christmas Season.

Today, the Mission gave away over 7,000 toys to the children in attendance. Faces were glowing, and smiles were bright as the less-fortunate kids of the community experienced a special Christmas blessing.

The Mission’s Executive Director, Ernie Mills, said “I am filled with joy to see how our community has come together to provide this wonderful meal for those who are less fortunate. Over 500 volunteers have given of their time to be here today to ensure the neediest in our community are not forgotten on this special day. This event has brought together the “have’s” and the “have not’s” for a great meal and time of fellowship. It's such a blessing to see a child's face light up when receiving a toy for Christmas."

The Durham Rescue Mission provided:

Over 7,000 Toys for Children

Over 3,000 plates of Christmas Meals

Over 8,000 articles of clothing, including warm coats

1,022 Bags of Groceries

This event was made possible by the generous donations of all the numerous supporters and volunteers of the Durham Rescue Mission. We sincerely wish to thank everyone who helped make this another wonderful Thanksgiving for the homeless and needy in the Triangle.

To help provide for the Homeless, please click here.

Despite hot, muggy conditions, children lined up before 6 A.M. to receive over 2,800 backpacks at the Durham Rescue Mission...largest event in Rescue Mission history.

The Durham Rescue Mission held its 10th Annual Back to School Party and Cookout for at-risk children today at 11:00 AM. Durham Rescue Mission CEO Ernie Mills, Chief Academic Officer for Durham Public Schools Dr. Terri Mozingo, Glaxo Smith Kline Corporate Representative Jill Wilett, and Greg Currie from Verizon Wireless rang the old school bells to mark the beginning of another school year.

With temperatures rising into the 90’s, children and their parents started lining up in front of the Durham Rescue Mission’s Chapel before 6 A.M. this morning. Parents arrived early out of fear that there would not be enough backpacks for their children for the new school year.

Water was donated by BB&T to cool the growing crowd due to hot temperatures. CEO Ernie Mills states, “Each year the number in attendance for Back-to- School and our other community events continues to grow substantially. Attendees battle out the heat in the summer and the cold in the winter to receive food, clothing, and essentials during these tough economic times. Our growing need for a multi-purpose facility is larger now then ever before”.

Generous sponsors Glaxo Smith Kline, Verizon Wireless, BB&T, Crosspointe Church of Cary, Once in a Blue Moon Bakery all joined with the Durham Rescue Mission to provide a day of fun, food, clothing and 2,800 backpacks filled with much needed school supplies were given to needy children in the Triangle.

The Durham Rescue Mission’s goal with the event each year is to provide new backpacks and school supplies for at-risk children in an effort to encourage them to be excited about going back to school and getting a good education!

Our thanks to all in the community who helped make this event possible.

To help provide for the needy in our community, please consider making a financial contribution to support the Durham Rescue Mission. Also, consider volunteering to see first hand how your time and effort play an intricate role in the recovery of the addicted and homeless.

Event Totals

4,365 in attendance

3,200 plates of hot dogs and chips served

2,875 Backpacks given to needy children

5,000 Pieces of clothing given away

700 food bags distributed to the needy families

440 Volunteers helped

Current News at the Mission

Christmas Event Experiences 17% Increase at the Durham Rescue Mission

Despite hot, muggy conditions, children lined up before 6 A.M. to receive over 2,800 backpacks at the Durham Rescue Mission...largest event in Rescue Mission history.

Event Totals

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