As we go into the shelters and the parks, and on the street corners; when you give someone food, clothing or whatever you feel led, look that person in the eyes, talk to them, see who they are and try to find out their story. See them as a human being with the ability to love, learn, grow and give back. In other words, just treat them like a friend, treat them like family. Allow them to give you friendship and some of their time. Today in our busy, overstimulated world, I truly appreciate when someone just stops for a moment and gives me their undivided attention…Read more from Local Hope Director Byron McMillan in his blog, An Ordinary Radical.

I just wanted to express my gratitude for your generosity in helping me to get a new furnace system. I am stunned and overwhelmed at God’s grace in my life. What started as a prayer request for warmer weather turned into a disclosure of my situation to Mary Ann (First Impressions Director) and the First Impressions team at Hope took action immediately! I only recently learned how the money was raised and thank you from the bottom of my heart. Special thanks to Mary Ann’s wonderful husband, Dean, who guided the whole process and even spent the afternoon of his 50th birthday knocking a hole in my foundation to prepare it for the new unit! I feel privileged and blessed to be part of such an amazing group of people and look forward to serving with you this year!

Thank you and God bless you!
First Impressions Volunteer

Thanks to all who participated in the UNC/Duke basketball game raffle! A grandmother and her 15 yr old grandson won the tickets to the basketball game on February 6. Almost $1,000 was raised for the Beacon Rescue Mission in Dunn, NC!

Hope is proud to support causes throughout North Carolina with the Local Hope Ministry. There are tons of ways to get involved! If you would like to help the Beacon Rescue Mission in any way, feel free to visit their website.

Thanks to all the Hope donors for giving blood during the January 30th blood drive at the Raleigh campus.

Rex Blood Services was able to register 37 donors and collected 37 pints of blood at a mobile collection unit setup at Hope! Those pints can help up to 111 area patients.

The next blood drive is scheduled for Monday, April 18th.