Over the past six years, our Edge team has helped our client Portland Rescue Mission raise funds through telethons. In addition to seeing an outpouring of incredible generosity, we also have witnessed the power that giving hope has on people's lives. Each year, we are privileged to volunteer at their telethon and to meet members of the community whose lives have been forever changed by the programs Portland Rescue Mission offers. The beauty of it all is that it starts with a simple thing that most of us often take for granted—a meal.
Each day, those who come to Portland Rescue Mission’s shelter are greeted with a warm smile and a warm meal. By offering sustenance to those who are in need, Portland Rescue Mission provides the first step toward helping them get off the streets. This simple act of compassion instills hope in those suffering from homelessness and helps them see that their current circumstances can change.
But it’s not just during the holidays that people go hungry, it’s all year round. So, for this telethon, Portland Rescue Mission focused on asking donors to supply year-round meals. Thanks to the generosity of the viewers, Portland Rescue Mission’s telethon raised more than 23,000 meals to help hungry men, women, and children in the greater Portland area. Lives are changed for the better through the donations Portland Rescue Mission receives.
Edge’s account manager, Candice Flahaven works with Portland Rescue Mission and had a great experience when she volunteered at the telethon.
“I really enjoyed volunteering to answer phones,” she said. “What Portland Rescue Mission does is important, and it’s nice to be reminded of what an impact it makes on our community.”
Article by Natalie Chambers and Rachel Fleenor