WELCOME to the first edition of AHH News and Notes! Here we will share events, information, inspiration, prayer requests, needs, and experiences in the lives of those who call Helping Hands their temporary home. It is our desire to keep you abreast of the happenings in and around the shelter. We hope that as you see our stories of Blessings and struggles being overcome you will join us in praise and prayers. That through this sharing of information, you will give thoughts to keep us in your prayers and perhaps search for ways that you can help us along the way.
ON September 4, 2025, AHH hosted our annual main fundraising campaign. A live auction and dinner called Bridge of Hope was held at Hope Church Albany. This year’s goal was to raise money for new bunks. The bunks we are currently using are not aging that well! Our prayers were geared toward an event that raised at least $40,000. This would cover the expenses and shipping costs of the bunks from a company back East.
THE dinner was cooked and served by our very own kitchen staff and resident-guests. The meal was a delicious pulled pork (veggie or brisket options were available for those who did not eat pork), coleslaw, corn on the cob, and rolls feast! Everything (except the rolls) was provided from our little farm! Yes, even the pork! We have raised 4 hogs for food for our resident-guests and decided to share with those who attended the auction.
AFTER dinner we held an event called Sugar Rush. Throughout the community several restaurants, bakeries, stores, with a few awesome home bakers donated some pretty yummy looking desserts! Each table was asked to place bids on the dessert they wanted most. The highest bidding table got first pick. This fun game netted almost $5000! The best part was there were plenty of goodies to take back and share with the resident-guests (and staff!) later.
WE HAD some great auction items this year! Everything from Movie tickets to coast vacations! Those who bid from the heart ended up rewarded with some great stuff! We even had some people adding money to their bid sheet just as an extra donation!
THE auction was done in two halves, with a special Paddle Auction in the middle. The Paddle Auction asked people to search their hearts and simply pledge money to be used for needs in and around the shelter. There was no “gift” or “winning bid”. It was simply saying, “I want to assist this shelter as they help a people in need. I want to be a part of helping God’s children find their footing in this world.”
A WEEK after the event we can EXCITEDLY say we almost DOUBLED our goal! God is SO GOOD! Now not only can we replace the bunks but do other needed repairs and replacements around the shelter.
AHH would like to extend a HUGE THANK YOU to Pam Darling from Hope Church. She helped cook one of our dishes, then she patiently and gently guided a bunch of inexperienced people through proper place settings, serving etiquette, center piece making and table cleaning! And the whole time she did it with humor and extreme kindness. Pam, what a gift from God you are! Thank you again!!
ANOTHER thank you to the businesses, and people who donated the auction items. Without your generosity we couldn’t even have an auction! Bless you for your loving desire to help us!
IF YOU attended the event the entire staff and resident-guests wish to THANK YOU! Without your kind hearts and faithfulness to God, we know we would never be able to reach these goals!
ABOVE all else, we wish to thank God! What a Wonderful Father we serve! No matter what else we achieve as we work throughout our days, if by helping others, we lead even ONE PERSON to Salvation through Christ, it is worth every penny!
JUST a heads up! We are already planning next year’s event! If you are interested in donating to next year’s auction, please call us and let us know! Our 2026 event will be in Spring, so the earlier the better!
AT AHH the staff do their best to assist our resident-guests with as many of their needs as possible. There is much offered beyond just a place to sleep. We serve three meals a day and often have snacks. Resident-guests are provided with hygiene supplies, and showers. We have laundry services. Our Case Managers assist in setting up Dr. appointments or getting primary physicians. They hook up those in need with mental health counselors. Case managers advocate for SSI/SSD and Senior Services. They help set up transport or even give rides to appointments. They sit and listen, offering prayer and advice when the world seems to be crushing down on someone.
WE recently discontinued our contract with Food Share of Linn County. After much prayer and discussion, we were led by the Lord to step out in faith and seek food donations in other ways. Shortly after our cancellation, we began hearing from stores and restaurants, and out of the blue a delivery service that had over ordered some products! Even the local Albany School District called and began offering us extra things they had ordered! And don’t even get me started on our little farm! The chickens decided to work overtime and provide enough eggs that we have been able to sell extras at the thrift store! The veggies are growing WILD! We have eaten, frozen and canned enough corn to feed a small nation! And the other produce is received with excitement and grateful tummies! More than one of our resident-guests has commented that the food we eat now is better than ever before!!! And the staff member writing this would wholeheartedly AGREE!
AS WITH everything in life, all of this comes at a cost. This is where you come in. We rely solely on donations for everything at AHH. We do not accept government monies or assistance in any form. We believe that as we walk in faith, God will provide for all our (and our resident-guests) needs. There is already a “Needs List” on our webpage somewhere, however I thought maybe a few specifics might be nice. The following is a partial list of things we use and run out of often. New or gently used clothing is acceptable. Please feel free to call if you have questions or ideas about donations.
PRAYERS (everyone can afford to take a moment out of their day to say a prayer). It costs you nothing and can gain someone everything.
Money donations to purchase products needed at that time
Food (milk, veggies, meat, etc.) unexpired and unopened only please
Soap (bars or liquid)
Shampoo and conditioner
Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Razors
Shaving cream
Washcloths, hand towels, bath towels
Underwear (any style and any size)
Socks
Paper plates, bowls, cups
Plastic cutlery
All donations are tax deductible. Please ask for a receipt upon delivery of your donation. If mailing a check or money order, a donation receipt will be mailed to you.
OUR Lord gives us in Matthew 25: 34-40 an example of His expectations concerning those in need. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
OVER The next few newsletters, we thought it would be nice to share a little about each of our dedicated AHH staff. We are going to start off with Troy Hopper!
TROY is our Office Assistant & Resource coordinator. His job involves much more than just answering phones and keeping track of supplies. He works hand in hand with our case managers to make sure our resident-guests are cared for and have their needs met. He assists our finance person with many tasks as well. He has been with AHH longer than the rest of the staff. So sometimes he is even used to fill in questions from the past.
“I love my job! Being able to work with this dedicated group of God loving goofballs is amazing. I have never had a job where our staff met and prayed together daily! Also being able to help others meet their most basic needs AND talk about their spiritual needs…Best. Job. Ever! I am truly blessed.” Was Troy’s answer to what he enjoyed about working here.
TROY shared the following testimony. “Before my birth my mom told the Lord if He gave her a boy, she would dedicate him to the Church and make sure he was raised in the Lord. She kept her promise, and I grew up in church. At 12 years old I had the honor of leading my mom to salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ. At 13 my mom, dad and I were all baptized at the same time. It hasn’t always been easy, and I did stray in my adulthood. I became extremely depressed. One day I decided to drive into the woods to take my own life. Before doing so I wanted to tell God how upset I was with Him. I screamed out three questions: “WHERE ARE YOU!?” “WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME!?” And finally, “WHY DON’T YOU LOVE ME ANYMORE!?” Just as I was about to finish myself, my phone rang. For whatever reason, I still don’t understand myself, I decided to answer and inform whoever that I was killing myself and then hang up. Before I could get a word out, the voice of my friend began speaking. ‘I’m here in the woods looking for you. I will never leave you, nor do I ever want to. And, Troy, I love you more than you will ever understand.’ In my stunned silence she informed me that she really didn’t know why she just had to call me and say those things. To this day, when I am struggling, I remind myself that GOD answered me…insignificant, angry, sinner, me…How can I possibly not believe in His Love? I have a great passion to remind others that our Savior LOVES us! Will NEVER leave us, even at our darkest moment. More than anything else that He is ALWAYS WITH us! I’m living proof.”
IF I COULD DO ONE THING DIFFERENTLY FOR THE SHELTER, I would hire more staff and help AHH get BIGGER to serve more people!
IF I EVER WON 10 MILLION DOLLARS I WOULD probably end up almost as poor because I would bless my family and friends SOOO MUCH! And yes, that includes my shelter friends and “family”.
TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE… This is a fun way to get to know someone a bit better. You have them tell two truthful facts about themselves and one lie. Then it is up to you, the reader, to figure out what is fact and what is fiction. The answer will appear in the Winter Newsletter in December. How good is Troy at his fib game?
-162w.webp)