Help for the Children Sees Growth

By November of 1962, the “Children’s Work” of the mission had grown from one class on Saturdays to four classes during the week. The “Happybag Program” had grown to accommodate hundreds of children at Christmas. Laundry facilities were added to the building (previously laundry had been done by hand in an old bathtub or sent out to a commercial laundry.) A chest freezer was needed to accommodate increased food donations.

In 1963 an addressograph with 1,000 metal plates was purchased to help standardize the Mission’s handwritten “mailing list.” In 1966, Mr. Johnson reported to the board that a Mrs. Booth had sent a donation of $1 to the board. Mrs. Booth was 91 years old and had a monthly income of $41. The Johnsons were aware and pleased that the Mission’s financial base was composed of many givers (such as Mrs. Booth) who gave sacrificially. They believed that gifts given by many cheerful givers made the best financial base for the Mission.

In 1965 the Rescue Mission learned that their property was going to be condemned to accommodate “urban renewal.” The City offered to pay the Rescue Mission $56,000 for their property. The Mission offered to sell the property to the City for $200,000.

The board decided in 1967 to have a capital campaign to raise $200,000 to build a new Rescue Mission in SE Roanoke. In 1968, against the advice of the “experts,” luncheons were held for prospective donors not at a local hotel but on site at the Rescue Mission so that people could see the work being discussed. Also, in 1968, the City Rescue Mission hosted the International Union of Gospel Missions (a fellowship of rescue missions from all over the United States).

In 1969, 35 children from the Mission’s programs were taken to camp for the first time.