“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

It has been a “long hot summer” and air conditioning has been an absolute necessity. As with all businesses and households, the Georgia Power bills at Julie’s House and Making Ends Meet Bargain Center have been extremely high.  In addition, we have had some major repair expenses on our delivery truck.  I “pray continually” that we are able to meet our financial obligations and continue our ministry.  A “very special thank you” to the churches, families, Sunday school classes, civic organizations, and businesses that send a contribution month-after-month.  May God bless you!  We need many more Christian friends to open their hearts and their pocketbooks to support our efforts to rescue homeless children and their mothers.  Please help!

I would like to express my condolences to Mike Armstrong in the loss of his mother, Mrs. Bernice Kirsch Armstrong.  Mrs. Armstrong went to be with the Lord on September 1st.   Mike is president of our board of directors and has been a faithful Julie’s House board member since 2005.  

We have had problems with one of our air conditioning units at Julie’s House several times this summer. Thank you, Plunkett Heating & Air Conditioning and Tom Sally Heating & Air Conditioning, for donating your services to keep our families comfortable!  Mr. Roy Wright donated a heat pump unit to us and saved us hundreds of dollars.  Thank you, Mr. Wright!

Some members of The Columbia County Youth Leadership Class of 2012 chose Making Ends Meet Bargain Center as their community service project.  On September 3rd, nine members of this group worked at our store and did a superb job.  Thank you!

The Cook/Malzer/Hale Sunday school class from Warren Baptist Church volunteers at our thrift store and Julie’s House one Saturday every month and has been doing so since March 2010.  Teddy and Angela Collingsworth lead the group.  Thank you!  You are wonderful!

The Sisters in Christ from Freedom Bible Church volunteered at our store August 20th.  Thank you, ladies!

Kim Thornhill is their leader.

We will resume our support group meetings on Thursday, September 22nd, at 5:30 P.M.  Please call 706-836-2781 for information and reservations.  We serve dinner.  Join the fun and fellowship!

I ask that you please “spread the word” about our wonderful little thrift store and if you have not “checked it out”, you are missing a “real treat”.  We accept donations during business hours and other times by appointment.  We especially need furniture and appliances. 

We now have four families residing at Julie’s House – four mothers and eight children.  Every bed is occupied.  Many times every day I have to say, “there is no more room”.  Seven of the children have settled into their school routines and our two-year-old is in daycare while her mommy goes to work.  All of our ladies are now employed and three have vehicles.  They are all progressing toward self- sufficiency. 

Pat Bourke

“He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.” Deuteronomy 10:18

Updates from Pat . . .

“In April 2009, the National Center for Health Statistics announced that nearly 40 percent of babies born in the
United States in 2007 were delivered by unwed mothers.” They also found that “children are at greater risk for
adverse consequences when born to a single mother because the social, emotional, and financial resources
available to the family may be limited.” “Fifty percent of marriages in the United States end in divorce.” (Jennifer
Baker, Forest Institute of Professional Psychology).

As of noon today, I had calls from three single mothers with minor children that are homeless and desperate.
One mother has lost her job and the other two are victims of domestic violence. This has been a typical day.
Tonight there is not one bed available in our town for these mothers and their children. I referred them to
shelters outside of our area. I can give you pages and pages of statistics on homeless children but, Christian
friends, these are the only statistics that I need to convince me that our community needs to support the
efforts of Julie’s House to “defend the cause of the fatherless”. We are doing the best that we can with our
resources but this need is enormous. Please support our ministry by making a personal financial commitment,
volunteering your time, and asking your family members, friends, and co-workers for their help and financial
support.

On June 4th, Priscilla Davis, owner of Davis Antiques & Collectibles, sponsored a fundraiser/print signing with
Jim Harrison, artist and author from Denmark, South Carolina. Mr. Harrison is world famous for his Coca-
Cola paintings of rural America. Thank you, Mr. Harrison! The Church of our Savior hosted the event and
Marianne Simeneta, a volunteer at our thrift store and a member of the church, made all of the arrangements
for the venue. Priscilla also donated a matted and framed print by Mr. Harrison that we will use for an additional
fundraiser. Thank you, Priscilla and Marianne!

The “Independence Day Celebration Sale” at Making Ends Meet Bargain Center was a huge success. A special
thank you to Andrea Key and Lindsey Key for so diligently helping me to solicit donations and Very Vera, Kroger
on Columbia Road, Jerry Stone, Teresa’s Mexican Restaurant, Fresh Market, Pepsi Cola, Sean and Robin
Allen, Call Me Cupcakes, and Piccadilly Cafeteria for donating the food for our concession! Also, thank you, to
the person who anonymously donated the Moon Walk and Broad Street Ministry for your help and support.

Julie’s House is the recipient of a check from the Augusta National Golf Club’s Employee Giving Program. Each
employee selects a charity to receive $500.00. The check to our organization was $3,000.00. Thank you,
Augusta National Golf Club employees.

We will not have support group meeting in July or August and our next meeting will be the September 23rd.

A youth group from The Sanctuary Church held a work party at our thrift store July 9th. Fifteen young people
and their leaders did a great job straightening the store and making it look “pretty”. Marc Smith is Associate
Pastor to Youth and Missions for the church.

Thank you, Trevor and Barry Wheeler, for helping us to get our pick-up truck repaired!

One of our residents at Julie’s House has passed the state board exam for certified nursing assistant and, not
only that, she has a job at the Veterans Nursing Home. She and her two-year-old child have been at Julie’s
House for one year. What a difference twelve months and “a hand-up” can make in a person’s life. I am so very
proud of her. We give God the praise and glory!

Pat Bourke

“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13
Fear sometimes causes us not to act when we know in our hearts that we should.  Fear can paralyze.  This is especially true in cases of domestic violence and child abuse.  When a victim makes the decision to leave the batterer, he is three times more likely to kill her and possibly the children. Those who help her to escape can also be “in harms way”.  Our ministry gives the victims and their children a “way out” and a better life.  I ask you to “speak out” against domestic violence and child abuse.  Please support our mission to protect children from physical and psychological battering.  God tells us in his word “Do not fear; I will help you.”

A group of ladies from Freedom Bible Church held yet another work party at our thrift store and donated much needed supplies for our shelter. Thank you, Freedom Bible Church!

We participated in the Missions Celebration at Warren Baptist Church on March 6th.  Virginia Summerall represented Julie’s House. She made a beautiful new display board and the Julie’s House table was very impressive.  Thank you, Virginia, for all that you did and, Warren Baptist Church, for giving us the opportunity to share our message!  I attended the baptism of my ten-year-old grandson, Collin Evans, that evening.   God bless you, Collin.  I love you!!

Once again, several Sunday school classes from Warren Baptist Church selected our organization as their “Impact Augusta” project.  On March 26th, approximately twenty individuals worked at our thrift store and at our shelter.  A group, organized by Teddy Collingsworth, donated and assembled a swingset and playground equipment.    They also did yard work and sorted donations.  Thank you, Warren Baptist Church!

During the “big wind storm” several weeks ago, two large pine trees fell at Julie’s House.  They fell on our fence but there was no other damage.  It could have been much worse.  Bobby Temenak, owner of Stallion Tree Professionals and a member of Warren Baptist Church, removed the trees and Mr. Phillips, our neighbor, repaired the fence.  Thank you, Mr. Temenak and Mr. Phillips!

One of our air conditioning units at Julie’s House needs repairs.  Mr. Roy Wright, a friend and co-worker of Teddy Collingsworth, has offered his services.  Thank you, Mr. Wright!  With summer heat fast approaching, air conditioning is a necessity.

In response to our plea for in-kind donations, Mr. Walter Massingale with Georgia Bank & Trust Company, referred us to Tabb Pest Control.  Mr. Tabb is donating his services.  Thank you, Mr. Massingale and Mr. Tabb!

Teresa’s Mexican Restaurant donated the food for our March support group meeting and Baldino’s Subs donated the food for our April meeting.  Thank you, Teresa’s and Baldino’s!  The food was so delicious!

InkBoy on Davis Road in Martinez is now printing our newsletter free of charge.   Virginia Summerall made the contact for us.  Thank you, InkBoy and Virginia!

We desperately need a 10ft. or 12 ft. box truck for our thrift store.  If you know of someone that is able to donate this vehicle or sell it to us at a very, very reasonable price, please refer him/her to me.

One of our clients at Julie’s House is attending school to become a certified nursing assistant and will graduate in a few weeks and one is now working for Richmond County.  Congratulations, ladies, on your progress!!

I say “thank you” many times in every newsletter.  Without the loving support of Christians, we can not accomplish our mission.

Pat Bourke


COOKBOOK FOR SALE