PACEM

Alice Wiggins, Co-Director of the C10M and Colleen Keller, PACEM's new Executive Director

On June 30th, PACEM became the grateful recipient of $15,000 – proceeds from the April 24th, Charlottesvile Ten Miler. Additionally, the Charlottesville Track Club contributed $2,650 and $2,500 was donated by runners who made a financial gift directly to PACEM. In total the race raised over $20,000 for PACEM!

Proceeds generated by registration fees from over 2,700 runners and local business sponsorships helped to support several area nonprofits, however, thanks in large part to the persuasive words of Skip Mullaney, founding member of PACEM and long time CVille runner, PACEM was named the primary beneficiary of the 2009 race.

We are grateful to Alice and Dan Wiggins, Co-directors of the Charlottesville Ten Miler, the Charlottesville Track Club and to the runners, volunteers and sponsors who made the race, and this substantial gift possible.  This event was a tremendous community effort that will go a long way to help provide a place to sleep and the warmth of human companionship for those without shelter during the winter months. The gifts recieved through the Ten Miler will help PACEM shelters open on October 31st, and remain open through April 2nd, providing “A Pillow for Every Head”.

We at PACEM welcomed a delightful visitor today, an 8-year-old Charlottesville girl named Alexandra LaCour who asked that her family NOT give her Christmas presents this year, and instead give money to the less fortunate.  After getting a tour of our women’s shelter, where she asked lots of good questions about how our shelter program operates, Alexandra presented a $500 check to PACEM and asked that it be used to make life better for people who are homeless.  Thank you so much Alexandra for your thoughtfulness! 

For media accounts of Alexandra’s inspiring act of selflessness, see the Daily Progress article here:

http://www.dailyprogress.com/cdp/news/local/article/8-year-old_eschews_presents_insists_upon_shelter_donation/33086/

and a TV news story from Channel 29 here:

http://www.nbc29.com/global/story.asp?s=9554566 (click on camera icon for video)

and a TV news story from Channel 19 here:

http://www.charlottesvillenewsplex.tv/home/headlines/36471519.html (click on camera icon for video)

For information on how you can follow Alexandra’s example and make your own donation to PACEM, please click here.

Two exciting pieces of PACEM fundraising news this week:

First, we’re pleased to report that PACEM has been named the beneficiary of the 2009 Charlottesville Ten Miler!  So, lace up your running shoes and get all of your friends to do the same — the race takes place on April 4, 2009 and is great fun for runners and spectators alike.  For more info., see www.cvilletenmiler.com. 

Second, Channel 29 news ran a heartwarming story this evening about a PACEM supporter (Debbie Pollock)who’s taken it upon herself to raise funds from her friends and neighbors to keep our shelter open for an extra week in March — see http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=9477378  and click on the link next to the camera symbol to see the video. 

While it’s important to note that we’re still trying to raise enough money just to keep our doors open UNTIL March, we’re extremely grateful to Debbie, and to Dan and Alice Wiggins from the Ten Miler, for their tremendous displays of generosity.  What a way to put everyone in PACEM in the holiday mood!

From the good folks at St. Paul’s Memorial Church:

Celebrate Our Lady, and help PACEM at the same time.  Please come to St. Paul’s Memorial Church, 1700 University Avenue, on December 12 to celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a major feast day in Mexico.  We will have a Holy Eucharist, partly in Spanish, in the Chapel at 5:30 p.m., followed by a simple Mexican dinner in the parish hall at 6:00 p.m.  The suggested donation of $15 per person will benefit PACEM’s ministry.

Thanks to everyone at St. Paul’s for supporting PACEM!

PACEM needs volunteers to staff merchandise tables at upcoming concerts at the John Paul Jones Arena – PACEM receives a cut of the proceeds.

The dates are:
Dec 8    Neil Diamond
Jan 27   Cats
Jan 29   Rascal Flatts
Feb 10  Hairspray
Feb 21  AVP

Volunteer Shifts:
2:30-6:00pm (set-up)
5:30-10:00pm (merchandise sales)
9:45pm-1:00am (clean-up)

If you can volunteer, contact Glenn Crossman at gcrossman@glenmorecountryclub.com
Tell Glenn that you’d like to volunteer for PACEM!

This is a great opportunity to help PACEM while having a fabulous time and even seeing portions of performances for FREE!

PACEM winter shelter opened November 8th. It costs $50 dollars per person, per night to offer a bed, 3 meals, warmth and safety, and much needed support for residents in our community who cannot access shelter elsewhere. 

Please consider volunteering for any of the JPJ events above as a way to help earn funds for PACEM, or make a donation directly to PACEM through our website at www.pacemshelter.org or via mail to PACEM, P.O. Box 14, Charlottesville, VA 22902.

NEW LOCATION FOR CHARITY CHUCK WAGON EXTRAVAGANZA

Nov. 15 Cowboy Lunch to Support PACEM

 Due to the weather, Ace Contracting and Buckaroo Cordon Bleu have changed the location for their authentic Chuck Wagon Extravaganza to benefit People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry (PACEM) – winter shelter and support for homeless men, women and families. The charity lunch will be held Saturday, November 15 from 1-5 p.m. at a new location, at Greenwood Community Center, in Greenwood, Virginia.  Buckaroo Cordon Bleu will provide a menu of “cowboy cuisine” including Boeuf Bourguignon and Cassoulet.

The event will include an auction for a custom handmade chestnut dining table.  Tickets are $50.00 per person and reservations are required.  Call Ace at 434-293-6290 for reservations.  Guests are encouraged to wear western attire.