Day 2 - CCHS Coast 2 Coast II Serves with Union Gospel Mission

Our second day on our Coast 2 Coast II was certainly a busy one. We began our day at 10 a.m. with a visit to Union Gospel Mission of Salem (www.ugmsalem.org).  We were greeted by a wonderful group of folks from UGM (Judi, Cheryl, Tom and Rick). 

Our volunteer/serving began with a meeting in the mission's chapel with their guest services manager, Rick. He explained the purpose of the mission, how they serve the community and its residents. Our team was able to ask questions about the mission, their history and their staff. Afterward, we presented the mission with our team donations - 100+ flip-flops and 48 backpacks.  They were so grateful and said that both donations would probably be completely distributed to their guests in less than three minutes; the demand for these items is that great.

We found out that not only does UGM provide food and shelter for the men in need within the Salem area, they also provide for the women and children with off-site shelters as well.

This mission also helps men through a variety of programs to help with rehabilitation, finishing their education and most importantly their walk with God.  This is not just a one stop, "come in for a meal and worship service....;" it truly is so much more than that.  UGM offers a place for these men to not just eat or have a place to sleep–we found they also provide a location for those in need to watch movies, get a toothbrush or a comb, assistance with medical needs, clothing and the list just goes on and on!

After our initial meeting, we were taken on a tour of their facility by Case Services Manager Tom; he showed us their movie-viewing area, their check-in area, their chapel, their laundry room, their education room, their kitchen, their food storage closet(s), their on-site butcher shop, their dining hall, their shelter beds and this list also goes on and on!

Next up we were ready to serve!!! Our team washed up, put on aprons and began to serve lunches to this facility's guests and residents.  They interacted with the guests and residents, sampled some of the lunch being served, cleaned up after serving and reset the dining hall for the next round of meals to be served.

Our team broke up into three groups of four and did rotations through the lunch line to serve this great group of people. We say GREAT because truly even though these men are enduring difficulties, they showed such character and were genuinely appreciative, friendly and sincere.  We were humbled by meeting these men.

We continued to serve meals and clean up for two or so hours, after which we were taken to their chapel and had an opportunity to talk more to the staff and heard about their passion for their work.  Most have been with UGM for between six - 20 years, some even coming to them from homeless–through their program–to staff.  The mission's work takes these men full circle and these men are walking testimony to the programs success.

This organization does so much for the communites of Salem and various areas of Oregon, all through volunteerism and donations.  So while our time and donations may have been small in scope, we hope that the effects are large in scale and impact.  Giving back is our trip's focus!

After our visit to the mission, we headed to where our varsity boys football team's summer camp was being held.  While we waited for their return (following their lunch break), we played a quick game of touch football–some of our girls have amazing skills in football too!

We wanted to bring our boys some sports drinks, watch their camp and just cheer them on.  Our Cougar pride and school unity reaches many levels.  Our boys worked hard and their 2011-12 season is going to be great to watch.

Our next stop was to have a barbecue with some fellow Capital alumni/teachers that live in the Salem area.  They were so incredibly hospitable for all 22 of us–food was wonderful and the s'mores by the fire were fabulous too!  It was really nice for our team to have a home-cooked meal during our trip.  Thank you Imig family!

We end our day two with a 9 p.m. practice to help keep our team in playing conditions (we do have games too during our trip).  Our team was welcomed by another Christian school in the area and they allowed us to use their gym for a few hours tonight. 

Today has been a day that exemplifies our purposes for this trip–serving, giving back, helping community outreach groups, team bonding, Cougar pride, basketball and letting our light shine through the Lord....we are a very blessed group.

Thank you to our supporters, friends, families and fans; for with your support our opportunities and abilities are limitless.