"J.O.Y. Ministries wishes to extend a heartfelt Thank You to their supporters for a hugely successful Christmas Campaign. God is so good and we continue to be humbled by the graciousness of our community," says Vice President Hannah Peck. This year's campaign raised a record high of $90,416 and 38 new monthly donors!
This years campaign offered the opportunity for supporters to pledge a monthly donation to J.O.Y. Ministries in the new year. New monthly pledges of any size would be matched by a $2,000 donation to the Christmas campaign up to $50,000 (by an anonymous donor). J.O.Y. asked that 25 individuals or businesses commit to a monthly donation in 2025, but 38 people/businesses joined the charge!
"Every year we launch into our campaign and our year and wonder how we will meet all the needs. It never seems possible, but it happens - with abundance and often in unexpected ways," shares Maggie Coleman, J.O.Y. Treasurer. The J.O.Y. Christmas Campaign funds roughly a third of the J.O.Y. operating budget. J.O.Y. is a completely donation based Ministries serving those stricken by food insecurity, poverty, homelessness, addiction and more.
In 2024, J.O.Y. Ministries worked with 332 identifying as homeless, while housing 98 of those in one of their two shelters.They assisted 16 people in this group with obtaining employment, 16 obtained permanent housing, two were placed in rehab, and 14 successfully received government assistance.
J.O.Y. provided 2,556 food bags, 212 holiday meal boxes (Thanksgiving and Christmas), and 1,260 Feeding America Senior Boxes for 130 Senior Citizens. They sponsored 147 youth with Christmas gifts, had 33 students attend Camp H.O.P.E., 75 attended Mission Week and had 97 student volunteers at their Back-to-School-Bash.
50 people received furniture from J.O.Y. five LWC students who couldnt make it home for the holidays were provided a home-cooked Christmas dinner, dozens of people were provided with clothing, and over 60 people were assisted in some other way.
While there is certainly overlap in these categories, J.O.Y. has assisted over 800 people in some capacity during 2024 and this is ONLY made possible because of God working through this community. Your generosity makes this ministry possible.
Thank you for your continued support!!!
For more information, or to donate to J.O.Y Ministries, visit Joy-ministries.org.
JOY Ministries
114 PO Box
Columbia, KY 42728
The JOY Crisis Resource Center is located at 411 Greensburg Street and is open Monday through Thursday from 10amCT to 4pmCT and Fridays 10amCT to 3pmCT.
(
Article from our Friends at Columbia Magazine)
