For more than 66 years, the Mission has been trying to relieve the hurt of those in our community.

Often times we are called the Ironton City Mission and some people think we only help those who live in the city of Ironton, but we actually assist people who live in Lawrence County.

The only exceptions are those needing clothes and transient people passing through our city needing gasoline to get back to their home. A full report of those we assisted in 2010 is available.

As you may or may not know, the Mission has been a member of the United Way of the River Cities for many years and last year they cut our funding by 10 percent due to their fundraiser short fall.

Because of this, they have changed how they fund agencies. For the first six months of this year, they are still supporting us at last year’s rate.

Starting in July they will begin a new year of funding that will be paid through June of 2012, but at this writing I do not know how much they will fund us after June and that is why your gifts of love are so important to this ministry.

We have some friends and churches that support us monthly and many others send us support two to three times a year. Whatever you can do, it would be very much appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and to consider what you would like to do to help those who are less fortunate. If you would like to become a monthly donor, just mark “monthly support” in the memo of your check.

If you are a part of a church who is looking for a new missionary to support, I would be glad to come and talk about the Mission with your congregation or mission board.

I am available on Sunday morning or most evenings through the week. Feel free to give me a call at 740-532-5041, or send me a message via our website at www.citymissionchurch.org and when it comes up, we are the City Mission Church with Door of Hope.

If you would like to donate online that is available also on our website by selecting the mission button and entering the amount of your gift.

On behalf of others,

Jeff Cremeans

Director

City Welfare Mission

Volunteer Week the perfect time to learn about Hospice

National Volunteer Week is April 10 through 16, a time to recognize and celebrate the thousands of people who give selflessly of their time and talents in service to others. Nowhere is this more important than in our local hospice program.

Community Hospice has more than 170 hospice volunteers who are dedicated to making sure those in our community have the support and care they need when facing the journey at life’s end.

This journey can often be a lonely, frightening, and unfamiliar experience.

Knowing that there is a caring neighbor to give a hand, lend an ear, and share his or her heart can make all the difference to patients and families.

In fact, our volunteers donated 37,151 hours of service in 2010.

Hospice volunteers understand that every person they care for is a unique individual with a lifetime of experiences, relationships and gifts to share.

Hospice brings comfort, dignity and peace to help people live every moment of life to the fullest, leaving loved ones with memories they can treasure.

Many misconceptions about hospice exist – that it means “giving up,” or there’s “nothing more that can be done.”

Nothing could be further from the truth. Hospice is about living and making sure those with a life limiting illness are surrounded by love and support.

I encourage others to learn more about hospice and volunteer opportunities by contacting Community Hospice at 606.329.1890 or 800.926-6184.

Susan Hunt

Executive Director

Community Hospice