Hickory resident Angela Hamilton are running the 117th Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013 to raise money for Exodus Homes to help them continue their great work with homeless recovering people returning to the community from treatment centers and prison. Exodus Homes provides a comprehensive array of services that emphasizes work and productivity as the path to wholeness. This is Angela’s third Boston Marathon and Katie’s first. They are excited to run together as a way to raise awareness that recovery from addiction and incarceration is indeed a marathon-not a sprint!
Angela is a board member of Exodus Homes, and dedicated her second Boston Marathon in 2012 in honor of Exodus Homes and her son, Nolan. She raised awareness about teenage substance abuse, interventions, and continues to assist local families seeking help for their teens.
In 2011, Angela’s running friend, Anna Griffis, carried the torch for Running for Recovery. Anna is a former resident of Hickory who now resides in Colorado. She is the daughter of the Rev. Thomas and Susan Griffis of Hickory. While training in 2011, Anna worked with homeless and addicted people in Washington, DC. The 2010 and 2011 Running for Recovery campaigns raised over $35,000 to help Exodus Homes survive the recession and continue serving homeless recovering people regardless of their inability to pay anything at admission.
At age 53, Angela has qualified for five Boston races. She compared the rigorous training for each race to what the Exodus residents must do to learn a different way of life saying, ”People in recovery have to work hard to stay clean and sober every day, often against all odds. I am running another Boston Marathon for them because it’s never truly over for these folks. As a board member, I see how hard they must work, and I see how much it takes for Exodus to help them become productive members of society. I am a strong supporter of Exodus Homes, and I will run my best for its survival and for all the people who have been transformed by their unique program”.
Angela is also an avid biker along with her husband, Dr. David Hamilton. She works in private practice as a speech-language pathologist and consults with Solutions of Hickory. She is a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church where she helps with the ESL program. She is also an Augustine Project Tutor at Grandview Middle School.
This year, Angela is designating all Running for Recovery funds to be used for sponsoring new Exodus Homes’ residents who are admitted regardless of their inability to pay. Exodus Homes is one of the only programs that will accept homeless recovering people who cannot pay. Your gift in Running for Recovery will help sponsor their first month – the critical orientation phase. During this time, new residents are assessed and receive help with food, clothing, medical care, transportation, access to substance abuse treatment, orientation to recovery, and job readiness training. Your gift for the 2013 Running for Recovery campaign can help a man or woman begin again, and learn a new way of life!
In addition to your financial support, there are other ways to help in this important work that reduces neighborhood crime and stabilizes the community. You can volunteer your time and talents to Exodus Homes in helping a resident find a job; provide transportation to medical appointments or court; work in the Exodus Homes office, or volunteer at the Exodus Works Thrift Store at 510 1st Ave SW in Hickory, 28602. Please contact Rev. Susan Smith at revsusansmith@gmail.com or 828-962-8196 for more information about volunteering.
Donations of furniture, appliances, and household items in good condition are always needed at the Exodus Works Thrift Store, where you can also get your car hand-washed as you shop. Please call 828-828-324-2390 if you need us to pick up your donation.
Rev. Susan Smith, Rev. Reggie Longcrier, and Angela Hamilton are all available to speak to churches, civic groups, and other organizations about the work of Exodus Homes. Please call on us!
Thank you for being a partner in the 2013 Exodus Homes Running for Recovery campaign.
What Your Tax Deductible Gift Will Do For A New Resident – Please Designate Your Gift!
- $30 to provide one day of comprehensive services during orientation
- $50 to provide transportation to outpatient treatment during orientation
- $100 to provide emergency medication during orientation
- $150 to provide one week of comprehensive services during orientation
- $300 to provide two weeks of comprehensive services during orientation
- $600 to provide one month of comprehensive services during orientation
When you give, your name will be added to the 2013 Running for Recovery banner that will be displayed at our celebration on Saturday, May 25, 2013 from 11:00am – 1:00pm at Exodus Church, 1763 Highland Ave NE in Hickory 28601. Please join us as we thank Angela and Katie for running for us! You’re invited!
Please mail your check to:
Exodus Homes
2013 Running for Recovery
P.O. Box 3311
Hickory, NC 28603
Or you can give online by clicking on the “Donate” button to the right.
