Greetings Everyone!
As August has come to an end and the school year started, we hope that you all enjoyed the beautiful and mild weather we had this summer. We are happy to feature a follow up from last month’s newsletter. To quickly recap, our LIFEiLEAD Support Group Leaders in Earlville, NY set up a LIFEiLEAD table at a local event last month at “Senior Day.” They set up an exhibit booth at this event to reach out and be available to the increasing numbers of seniors in their community who are being impacted by addiction and other life controlling issues. Many seniors are opening their homes for family to move back in due to economic or family crisis issues, and are now playing a major role in raising their grandchildren or being a support some other way to their families. When this happens, the entire family can be exposed to the impact of addiction, including the seniors. The community is also seeing an impact from doctors who are quick to prescribe medications to seniors who have increasing health issues with aging. Many of these drugs can be habit forming and become an addiction for seniors. Seniors also tend to be the target for break-ins if they are known to be taking prescription pain medications or family members may take them from their older family members for their own use. In light of this the NY LSG Team feel this is an area that is vulnerable and in need of support. The team we have up there in NY is incredible! We are encouraged at how they have really taken this group and made it their own as they invest not just in the one night a week it meets, but all throughout the week in their personal and professional lives as they look for opportunities to come alongside others and to help them live with purpose.
NY LSG
“Last month’s event at the Chenango County Fair Senior Day seemed to be well worth the time. As we displayed the LIFEiLEAD information on our table many stopped by and asked us what the program was about and how it worked. People who inquired said that they had members in their family that needed the help that LIFEiLEAD offers. Along with this, people who work in other areas of our community are in contact with people who could benefit from the LIFEiLEAD program. They took information and said they would recommend us to some of the people they work with. One thing that we hate hearing, which we heard several times as people picked up the material, is ‘I hope no one I know sees me.’ That is such a disheartening statement to us. We don’t like to think that people can’t ask for help without being judged for what problem they may have, but the reality is there is so much stigma connected with addictions. We wish people could come along side of them and say ‘God Bless you, you realize that you have a problem and you are seeking help to become all that God wants you to be.’
We are looking to launch an open date sometime in September in the Norwich, NY sight that we mentioned last month. We still believe after the feedback that we heard at last month’s event, this is where God wants us as people can go out of their community and seek help without worrying who might see them. We will continue to keep everyone posted on our journey with LIFEiLEAD.
God Bless and Enjoy Life.” – NY LSG Leaders
We are hopeful that our NY Team will make an impact on those who are struggling. Our prayer is that the stigma that comes along with addiction and recovery will change, not just up there, but all over where addiction hides its ugly head. We want people to know that there is help and that they do not have to be ashamed or secretive about finding it. It is that same shame and secrecy that many times takes people down the road of addiction, becoming free from it should be through compassion and transparency. We will continue to keep you posted on what the NY team is doing as well as our PA and FL teams. Great things are happening!
501(c)3, NON-PROFIT
On June 23, 2014 we received our letter of approval confirming that we are now a tax exempt 501(c)3 non-profit organization! Our non-profit status is retroactive back to January 31, 2013. It took a whole year, but we are thankful that it finally came through and hopeful that it will open up some beneficial opportunities for LIFEiLEAD.
300 @ 50 CAMPAIGN
Please click this link for a video regarding the campaign: http://www.lifeilead.org/?page_id=40
In the beginning of 2014 we launched our 300 @ 50 Campaign to raise funds for this year to go towards program development in order to move the mission of LIFEiLEAD forward. We needed 300 individual gifts of $50 to reach our goal of $15,000 for 2014. To date we have received $7,600.00. Our deepest appreciation and thanks to those who have generously donated to this campaign, not only with their finances, but also with their other valuable resources through time, energy, talent, prayer and support. Your contributions and commitment are deeply appreciated.
We still need $7,400.00 to reach our goal for the year. We are asking for 148 more gifts of at least $50 to help us get there. You can make checks out to LIFEiLEAD and send to:
PO Box 633
Warrington PA 18976
OR
donate through our secure Paypal link http://www.lifeilead.org/?page_id=76
LIFEiLEAD is a cause bigger than any one person. It is about reaching out to those who are trying to find their way on the road of recovery and restoration. To come alongside them and journey with them through the struggles and victories as they claim a life of freedom through Jesus. Please help us in any way you can. With your help and support our reach can stretch farther and deeper in the lives of those who need the hope and help that they can live beyond “just being clean.” They can move from recovery to living with purpose.
Thank you all for your time and investment in LIFEiLEAD. Our team is looking forward to continually serving our communities and beyond as we move forward under non-profit status to help those in recovery reach complete freedom from addiction and become leaders in all areas of their lives and communities. There is hope for those who have come out the other side of addiction to lead meaningful and whole lives.
God bless,
The LIFEiLEAD team
DONATE: http://www.lifeilead.org/?page_id=76