SUSTAIN EVENT GENERATES OVER $5000 FOR LOCAL FAMILIES IN NEED. The community rallied in support of those less fortunate, as over 500 people were in attendance to enjoy dinner and entertainment at Friday’s Sustain event at Community Church by the Lake. Given the church’s donation of facility and the Peppercorn Grille’s donation of food, event organizers Andy and Megan Meadors of sylas.net tell KBHR that over $5,300 was raised—and 100% of these proceeds will benefit local families in need. Funds will be shared with the Food Pantry and Community Church’s Benevolent Fund, which assists those in need with essentials such as diapers and utility bills. February 24, 2009 by Catherine Sandstrom

She walked in the church’s front office with her baby in her arms and the two older boys at her side. The boys had to be 3 and the other 5 years old. Though her hair was brushed, it was obvious her appearance was being sacrificed, her life compromised and possibly in trouble. “Somebody from your church told me if I ever needed anything, that you guys would help.” She says with humility and wide eyes. “You see, my husband, and father of my kids, just took off not to long ago. And I’m now living in my car, which is the only thing I have after he took everything.” She starts crying. “I just need a place to stay for a week and a little food. I have nothing. He took all the money. My kids do not deserve this.”

This is a true story that took place sometime before Christmas. Community Church budgets money and some resources for situations like these, but cannot fulfill the growing demand of Big Bear valley residents and families who are in need like this lady. As the economy worsens, more and more good and honest, hard working people are out of a job, and further, cannot find a job to meet the needs of their families. Men, husbands, and fathers as the providers and protectors are failing. Women, wives, and mothers are struggling to nurture their kids. This phenomenon is spiraling deeper into something big, right here in Big Bear valley.

On Friday night, February 20th, from 6:00pm to 10:00pm at Community Church, Sylas presents SUSTAIN. Sustain means to support, hold, or bear up from below; bear the weight of, as a structure. Also, it means to supply with food, drink, and other necessities of life. You get the picture.

SUSTAIN is an fundraising event with chili and corn bread, hot dogs for kids, and music entertainment all night with some of Big Bear’s local talent like Ann Lynn, Random Cohort, and ending the night with big energy and tons of watts, Thirty-5-ForLife. Thirty-5-ForLife’s sound is a fresh and unique blend of Rock, Metal, and Rap. Their contemporary rock music is mix of Sound Garden, Linken Park, and Chili Peppers. Others on the card are Butter, Cliff Sliger, Emily Dunn, Destiny Craig with Donna Mooney, Nate and Casey.

This is a casual and social night out for you or your family to enjoy and raise a little money for the benevolent fund and food pantry. This is an invitation of anybody whom wants to help our neighbors and have a good time doing it. Community Church’s atmosphere is light and friendly, with senior pastor Don Foor and his loving, non-judgmental welcome to anybody. This is not a Christian event, but rather a community effort to help people in need.

Tickets are $10. Stop by the church to purchase tickets, or pay at the door. If you would like to donate money for the fund or non-perishable food for the pantry, please see Donna at the front office at Community Church. Each food item you bring to the event, you’ll receive a raffle ticket for chances to win prizes. The church provides means to pay things like the gas or an electricity bill to families that temporarily cannot make ends meet. Or sometimes pay for a room at a hotel for a few nights.
The lady and her kids walked out of the church with some food in hand from the church’s pantry, but back to her car as their only home. She was too late. The church’s benevolent fund was run dry.

An average of one person or family a day walks into the church’s office with some legitimate need, for the survival need of themselves or their family. This kind of foot traffic to the church is not uncommon as it’s centrally located in Big Bear Lake and bears the name Community Church, along with it’s growing reputation of helping people. The church can only help 1 out of 5 people. That’s 25 people/families a month Community Church is not able to help. And today, it’s an estimated 500 and more families that are in desperate need of food and help.

Come, have fun, give a little, and make a big impact for others in need, right here in Big Bear valley.