A Picture of Hope
108th Annual Celebration and Business Meeting

Union Gospel Mission’s Annual Celebration – A Picture of Hope - was held Monday, April 26th at the Earle Brown Heritage Center. Nearly 750 people joined us, which is our highest attendance ever. Because of the generous response that night, we were able to reach and even surpass the $50,000 match that was offered. This will allow us to offer even more help and hope to people in need!

Highlights of the evening included video testimonies from Barb and Sam, participants in our Naomi Family Residence, and Gregory, a graduate of the Mission's Discipleship Program. Guests also enjoyed music by the Changed Lives Choir and entertainment by Bob Stromberg and Michael Pearce Donley of Triple Espresso.

The following awards were presented:

• The Bob and Marie Walker Volunteer Service Award was given to Isabelle Hammond, who made 184 fleece blankets and scarves for children in need.
• The Faith that Works Award was given to the Twin City Chinese Christian Church for their involvement with the Mission's Asian Ministries. This award was also presented to St. Croix Valley Methodist Church for their involvement with the Mission's Christ Recovery Center.
• The Friend of the Mission Award went to WW II Veterans of Waverly Gardens for raising money to help the Mission purchase Thanksgiving meals for needy National Guard families.

Most importantly, we hope that everyone who attended sensed the presence of God and left encouraged by seeing the lives that are being changed because of their support. We want to thank you for helping us to create real life portraits of changed lives. We couldn't do it without you!

If you missed joining us this year, be sure to check our website regularly for information about next years' event and other fun things that are happening at the Union Gospel Mission!