On October 4, more than 300 supporters of the S.B. Rescue Mission (SBRM) gathered on the spectacularly beautiful Sandpiper Golf Course for the annual Bayou fundraiser, this year with an Aussie “Down Under” theme. The event netted an eye-popping $621,000. SafeLaunch Cofounder and Executive Director Janet Rowse was honored.
Guests perused the 163-item silent auction and enjoyed socializing while the Al Vafa duo provided background music. The event drew all ages of supporters, who were united and passionate about the Rescue Mission’s critically important work. SBRM provides year-round emergency shelter and transitional services to the community’s most vulnerable residents and 12-month residential substance abuse treatment programs that boast phenomenal successful rates. An early, al fresco dinner followed.
In the program and in an interview, President Rolf Geyling provided an update on SBRM’s work. It has a $4.7 million budget and serves more than 200 people on average each night. While it requires skilled professionals and high-quality facilities, Geyling noted, at its core, it is simply a community of people of faith and compassion — donors, staff, and volunteers — “who have taken that rare step of actually doing something.”