End of Month July 2023 - Get The Latest From Andy Bales On What's Happening at Union Rescue Mission

I wanted to give you an end-of-July update from Angeles House, where we are having out Christmas in July Event and it’s been a Busy Month.
I had a great interview with Anita Bennett from Channel 35, the City Channel, where we openly discussed LA County's approach to addressing homelessness. Unfortunately, our recent counts showed a 10% increase in homelessness in the city and a 9% increase in the county. These numbers tell us that we need to do things differently.
Also, had a great opportunity to speak at Bel Air Church in Bel Air. It's a historic church that's probably one of our most supportive churches of Union Rescue Mission. Throughout our time, I was able to thank them for their tremendous support to Hope Gardens back in the day when we had the battle to open Hope Gardens. In fact, told some historic stories of some of the support that came from members of Bel Air and Pastor Mark Brewer back in the day, but also thank them for caring about our wonderful kids here at Union Rescue Mission in Oak Gardens and Angela's house.
I also got to throw out the first pitch at Dodgers Stadium. A great moment for me. Set up by my teammate, Kitty Davis Walker, and friend Nicole Whitman from the Dodgers Foundation. We had 300 plus team members, about 10 plus of my family at the game, and many friends throughout the crowd that came to show support. While there, I got to meet Caleb Williams, a Heisman Trophy winner from USC, and he agreed to come visit all of our kids at Union Rescues.
We have over 500 kids at Union Rescue Mission, Hope Gardens, and Angeles House. That's why we do Christmas in July both at Hope Gardens and at Angeles House. We had a fun time sledding down a snow hill, we had Wienerschnitzel corn dogs, water slides and we're just trying to bring some Christmas joy to kids during probably the toughest time in their lives. And man, are the kids having a good time even in 90-degree weather. It was a great time of snow cones and fun and presents and Santa and lots of joy here at Christmas - Thanks to you.
We couldn't do any of this fun stuff without thanks for all your support. We couldn't weather this heat wave. And we even have plans to have full air conditioning at our downtown facility for the first time in the history of our downtown facility because of support from people like Ahmanson Foundation. And you, frankly, we couldn't even pay the utility bills without your partnership, your support certainly couldn't feed, uh, couldn't feed people. We couldn't hand out cold water. Everything we do, we do because of our partnership with you and including our back-to-school giveaway coming up.
Again, we couldn't do any of this life-saving, life-changing work without you. And we can't thank you enough. Have a great summer. Stay, stay cool, get in the shade like I'm doing today.
God bless you,
Andy Bales