What a great time at the Moto Museum on November 14! Pastor Kathleen Wilder, Executive Director of The Bridge, welcomed Mayor Slay; Lewis Reed, President of the Board of Aldermen; and a host of friends and supporters.  Everyone enjoyed food and drink from the Triumph Grill and the music of “Not for a Billion,” the Ron Daugherty Party Band. New this year was the addition of a silent auction, featuring items from gift baskets to fine jewelry to custom cabinetry. For a set fee, guests could buy a balloon with a gift certificate guaranteeded to be worth more than the price they paid, yielding both a good deal and a fun surprise! As in years past, the highlight of the evening was the live auction, hosted by emcee Peter Snyder. The bidding really heated up over such prizes as a 2011 World Series Champions St. Louis Cardinals plaque, a week in a Lake of the Ozarks condo and a catered dinner for eight in a Portland Place mansion. There was almost more fun than we could fit into two hours! Check out the photos at the following link:  http://www.purplelemonphotography.com/viewing/triumph3/.  Plan now to join us for next year’s fun event to support The Bridge.

Making my way from the kitchen to the soda machine for my daily afternoon dose of caffeine, I noticed a man standing on the raised area of the dining room looking…just looking. Looking out over the people seated at tables; some talking, some watching television. I didn’t recognize his face, and I wondered if he might be new to The Bridge. If so, was he looking around hoping to see someone that he recognized? Does he have friends or family in St. Louis? Does he know anyone here?
I come into The Bridge every day. Most days, I go to my office on the second floor and do what I can to help St. Louis sojourners from the relative emotional safety of my keyboard. With my personal skill set and experience, it’s the best place for me; the place where I can be most beneficial to our mission. My office also offers me protection of a sort from the realities that our social workers, and others on the front line of the day-to-day business of The Bridge, see many times each day.
What does it mean to be without a home of one’s home? What does it really mean? When I see someone new in our dining room, looking out as if searching for someone familiar and welcoming, it makes me stop and think about this question again, as if for the first time.
I’m one of the blessed ones. I do have a home… and a family… and friends… people who love and support me, and I’m grateful. I hope I never stop wondering about the lives of those who aren’t as fortunate as me. I hope I never become immune to their struggles and their need. I hope I can be a part of the change that needs to happen so that we all have food, clothing, a home of our own and the opportunity to work and support ourselves.

People frequently ask how it is that a person becomes homeless. I tell them it can happen for a number of reasons. The following recounts one.
Joanie (not her real name) thought she was safe, since her abusive husband was in jail. Unfortunately, he got out of jail, somehow found out where Joanie worked and went to her place of employment where he created so much trouble that she lost her job. Because the man knew where she lived, Joanie was terrified to return home. With nowhere else to go, she came to The Bridge. In a short time, staff here were able to help her escape the threat of violence for someplace safe.
Job loss, violence, illness–sometimes life presents people with unexpected and terrifying situations that can lead to the loss of their homes. When that happens, The Bridge “…provides sanctuary for homeless and at-risk persons in St. Louis. Meals and support services for basic human needs are offered by a staff intent on eradicating homelessness by guiding guests on a path to self-sufficiency.” (excerpt from The Bridge mission statement) Sometimes, it can happen in a day; most times, it takes longer. No matter what it takes, we’re here.

Today, the Anchor Room at The Bridge is the site of spa treatment for guests! Volunteers from Topeka Bible Church, Topeka, Kansas, are treating women and kids to haircuts, manicures, pedicures and hand massages. Fresh flowers and pink, yellow and white table covers helped to transform the look of the room, and music and the scent of the beach (by way of a warm-wax scent diffuser) complete the relaxing environment. A warm thank-you to the members of Topeka Bible Church and to Allie, of Adventures in Mission, for making this special treat possible. Come back anytime!

The date for Bridge to Triumph III, originally scheduled for Monday, September 12, has been rescheduled for Monday, November 14. Please join us from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Moto Museum at 3441 Olive St. in Saint Louis. Wander the museum full of vintage motorcycles from here and abroad. Please your palate with hors d’oeuvres from the Triumph Grill. Enjoy a drink with friends. Make new friends among those who support the efforts of The Bridge to combat homelessness in St. Louis. Bid on items in both a silent and live auction. The friendly, energetic competition between bidders is a highlight of the evening! Admission to the event is $50.00 per person. Make reservations online at www.brownpapertickets.com or by sending a check, payable to The Bridge, to 1610 Olive St., St. Louis, MO 63103. Please put Bridge to Triumph III in the memo line. With questions, contact Debra at 314-421-3136, ext. 107 or info@bridgestl.org.
See you at B2T3!

The Moto Museum

Mark your calendar now for November 14, 2011 for Bridge to Triumph III, the annual autumn fundraiser to benefit The Bridge. The event will be at the Moto Museum at 3441 Olive Street, next door to the Triumph Grill.

Parking is FREE at the Saint Louis University lot just west of the Museum. Between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., munch on food from the Triumph Grill, enjoy the sounds of “Not for a Billion,” the Ron Daugherty Party Band, and vie for the winning bid in both silent and live auctions. All proceeds benefit The Bridge in their mission to end chronic homelessness in St. Louis.

Admission is $50.00 per person. Reserve online at www.brownpapertickets.com or by sending a check to The Bridge, 1610 Olive St., St. Louis, MO 63103. Please make check payable to The Bridge, with Bridge to Triumph III in the memo line.

Questions about the event? Contact Debra.  Questions about payment? Contact Karen.

Title: Macy’s Shop for a Cause
Location: Macy’s
Description: See one of our board members to buy a 25% discount code good at Macy’s stores and macys.com on August 27th!
Date: 2011-08-27

It’s Memorial Day weekend. People all across the US will be camping, cleaning the pool, firing up the outdoor grill in celebration of what many consider the official opening of the summer season. It’s good to have fun!
It’s also good to remember what this holiday is intended to commemorate: all those who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms that citizens of this great country enjoy.
At The Bridge, veterans are among those we serve each day. These men and women did not lose their lives in service, but they endured many other losses; sometimes, because of experiences they endured, a loss of the “self” that they once were.
No one can give back to them that which is lost; but we can help them to know that there are people who care about them and who want to support them as they seek to create a new life for themselves–no matter how long it’s been since they lost the one they were living before.
On Monday, as on other holidays that occur on our open days of Sunday through Friday, The Bridge will provide food and day shelter for St. Louis’ sojourners. Please take a moment sometime during that day for remembering to think of those we serve–and to say a prayer for them as they journey home.

For 13 years, Alan Shawn Feinstein has given $1 million each year to agencies who fight hunger in the United States.  The amount each agency receives is proportionate to the amount of donations it receives during the period March 1 to April 30.  Simply put, the greater the amount of money and food (valued at $1 per item or pound) The Bridge receives during the two-month period, the greater the percentage of the $1 million we will be awarded.  In the information mailed to The Bridge earlier this month, Mr. Feinstein says, “Why am I doing this?  Because I believe each of us was put here on earch to do what we can to help those in need.  You got this letter because we feel that YOU believe that, too.”

At The Bridge, we do believe that.  If you agree, and would like to support our efforts to help, please consider making a donation during this special two-month period.  Thank you.