RECENT EVENTS

 

Silencing Valentino -
Shelter Care Mystery Dinner

 This year’s fourth annual Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner took us back to the Roaring 20’s on February 3rd and 4th with the theme “Silencing Valentino”.  Guests were encouraged to come in costume and “in costume” they came. There were flappers, feathers and pearls worn by the women and gangster suits with the appropriate hats, ties and spats for the men. You can see photos of some of the guests and characters on our web site.  Several famous people were also in attendance, Al Capone, Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Peggy Montgomery, Johnny Torrio (played brilliantly by our sponsor Bradley Gummow on Friday night and Ned Burns an SCM board member on Saturday night) and that mob boss Frankie Costello (played by Deacon Doug Rogers).

Guests participated in a Charleston competition during this (mock) opening of the Reel Club with prizes awarded to the best single and couples performances.  Buster Keaton(played by Todd Bonzi) treated the audience with renditions of two popular songs from the 20’s and even pulled off a magic act “out of his hat”.

The crowd scrutinized clues, assessed the key players for tell tale signs and led their own investigations to solve the caper as certain guests began “dying” off. This year’s crowd was the most intense audience we ever encountered!
In the end each table gave their final verdict – we must say, most were quite humorous – of who really invented the Charleston and “killed off” the competition. Thanks to our sponsors, guests, actors and volunteers for making our 4th annual mystery a success raising over $8000.00 for our MAYA’S House program which serves over 200 homeless children annually. We look forward to seeing you next year!

Luanne Dean
Owner of 'Lula's Vintage Boutique'and
'High Maintenance Salon & Spa'
 

Steve & Melissa Lewis
Heather and Jason Drake
 

SCM “Within Reach” Telethon, Big Hit
 Entering into a new realm of fundraising can be daunting, especially when there are so many social service programs in our midst vying for your attention. Taking on a project on “live”  TV for the first time is more than a little intimidating. With the professionals at Rockford’s own WTVO Channel 17 station and their fantastic staff along with the many volunteers and talented people who joined our ranks on August 23rd, we were able to accomplish the three goals established for this entertaining and educational event; raising funds for our three critical programs, raising awareness of Shelter Care Ministries and raising  awareness  of  the  homeless issues facing our community.

Involved in this new venture were over a hundred volunteers from Emmanuel Episcopal church and the community at large. Churches, businesses, schools and individuals from   Rockford and surrounding communities came to answer phones, train volunteers, operate the children’s games, donate checks, perform and help organize the event to support our programs.  Cherryvale Mall proved the perfect venue to showcase all the talent that blessed the event and the mall staff could not have been more accommodating.  Actually, as the night progressed a large crowd gathered to enjoy the live entertainment up close, which  was  highlighted with an appearance by Paris Bennett and they filled up the center court at Cherryvale, including the mezzanine above.

Most exciting was the fact that the over $42,000 raised exceeded our initial expectation in  a “first attempt” and since the event, our requests to make presentations to community forums and organizations has increased significantly.  The feedback from many who watched and those who donated has been extremely positive and informative which  will help improve next year’s event which is scheduled for August 21st at Cherryvale Mall..
 

 You, as a compassionate community, provided housing assistance for homeless families,  educational opportunities for parents, psycho-social services for adults dealing with mental illness, a safe environment for homeless children, food for the hungry and much more—hope for the future. We must all work diligently to put ending homelessness within reach.

 

Without the strong support and involvement of those who helped in the planning and implementation, our goals could not have become reality.  Our gratitude goes out to all!                        

 

Harvest Fest Ho-Down, A Heck of a Good Time

This years Harvest Fest had a new twist—a Ho-Down theme.  With line dancing, an old fashion cake walk and a “down home” country transformation of the Tebala Center, many guests arrived in a variety of hats, colorful boots, jeans or overalls.  This family friendly event offered a lot of  new activities for the kids and adults and the Kids Korner proved as popular as always, with face painting, pumpkin decorating and lots of other fun crafts.

The Harvest Fest event raised over $28,000 for the programs of the Jubilee   Center which hosts an average of 70 members each day,. By assisting  with housing, linkage to  mental health care and  advocating for benefits, the Jubilee Center  provides a psycho-social environment for over 900 active members.
 

Each week, Case Manager Ericka Allen facilitates a MISA group for members with co-occurring disorders.  Funds also provide daily lunches and nutritious breakfasts for about 40 members a day ($500 a month) and allows us to buy cleaning  supplies for the center  ($300 a month).

Thanks to all who attended and to the Harvest Fest committee and volunteers for all their hard work creating another wonderful event.  We hope to see you and your friends at next years event on a NEW night, SATURDAY, October 11th!