With the phone system down for several days in their business office, the Good News Rescue Mission was facing the prospect of being unable to maintain its business operations without immediate help or face possible budget cuts to keep running. So, who rescues the rescuers? That question was answered recently through a gift from Prime Healthcare through its Redding hospital, Shasta Regional Medical Center.
“We were in quite a bind,” commented the Mission’s Executive Director, Cesar Partida. “Our phone system had experienced catastrophic failure, and we didn’t know how we were going to pay to replace it. We were dead in the water.”
The Mission made a quick phone call – with a cell phone – to SRMC CEO, Randal Hempling with a plea for help. Hempling, no stranger to operations in peril, started burning up the phone lines and the internet superhighway with calls and emails to SRMC’s parent company. Within days, SRMC had secured a commitment from Prime to come the Mission’s aid.
“They were so responsive, so helpful,” cheered Partida.
SRMC’s financial commitment meant the Mission was able to replace their phone system and get back to business without having to cut essential programs to help the needy. So, who rescues the rescuers?
“I guess the answer is those who are good at dealing with emergencies,” Partida added.
For more information, please contact Ken White, Community Relations Director for the Good News Rescue Mission, at 530-941-7729.
About the Good News Rescue Mission:
The Good News Rescue Mission was founded in Redding in 1964 by a group of concerned Christians in our community. For thousands of men, women and children, the Mission has provided food, shelter, clothing, and spiritual hope through the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Since 1995, the Mission has expanded services to include the New Life Drug and Alcohol Recovery programs for men and women, transitional housing for graduates of that program, work search, free dental services, our Second Chance Ranch near Shingletown, California, the In-Step Mental Health program as well as the Academic Center.
By the Grace of God and through your generosity the Mission provided the following in 2010:
• 76,473 Safe Nights of Shelter
• 159,496 Prepared Meals
• 26,814 Unprepared Meals (Emergency Groceries)
• 74,908 Clothing, Furniture & other Household Items
• 7,534 Hours of Educational Instruction
-from press release
A News Cafe, founded in Shasta County by Redding, CA journalist Doni Greenberg, is the place for people craving local Northern California news, commentary, food, arts and entertainment. Views and opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of anewscafe.com.
