(ALLENTOWN, PA) \u2013 The Allentown Rescue Mission is excited to announce the winner of its Christmas in July holiday card contest, Anthony M. In a narrow one-vote victory, Anthony\u2019s The Little Christmas Tree painting edged out the additional nine entries. As the winner, Anthony\u2019s painting will be featured on<\/p>\n
the Allentown Rescue Mission\u2019s 2026 Christmas card, and his story will be highlighted inside.<\/p>\n
All the paintings were created in the Mission\u2019s Therapeutic Art Class by guests residing at the Mission. Anthony, a first-time painter, channeled his lifelong creativity into his featured piece. His passion for music began at age seven, and he still plays the guitar at the Mission in his spare time. When asked about his victory, Anthony declared, \u201cI\u2019m shocked that I won! Thank you to everyone who voted and to the donors who are the lifeblood of this organization. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Prosperous New Year to all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anthony came to the Allentown Rescue Mission\u2019s Emergency Shelter because of financial difficulties. After his father passed away, Anthony returned to his childhood home and found the house in extreme disrepair. Determined to save it, he poured his savings into renovations; however, his father had neglected to pay his property taxes, and the house was sold before the restorations could be finished.<\/p>\n
At the Mission, Anthony joined the Transformation Program, an eight-week faith-based program<\/p>\n
designed to change the trajectory of the participant\u2019s life. After graduating from the program, he began working for the Clean Team Workforce as a staff member in the Mission\u2019s Emergency Shelter. Today, he helps rescue men experiencing homelessness, just as he was supported not so long ago.<\/p>\n
The Allentown Rescue Mission would like to thank all the guests who participated in the contest. The contest and Christmas card would not be possible without their willingness to take a risk and put their talents in the public eye.<\/p>\n
The Allentown Rescue Mission, a 501c3, 145 bed non-profit homeless shelter has been providing shelter to men in crisis since 1900. In addition to emergency shelter services (365 days a year), the Allentown Rescue Mission offers a faith-based residential life skills program, and transitional employment on the Clean Team Workforce that\u2019s available for hire to the community. The Clean Team Workforce pays the men above PA state minimum wage\u2013 helping them save a nest egg to transition back into the community. In a typical year, the Allentown Rescue Mission provides shelter services for nearly 1,000 men and serves more than 60,000 meals to men in need.<\/p>\n
Information provided to TVL by:
\nStefanie Appel<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
(ALLENTOWN, PA) \u2013 The Allentown Rescue Mission is excited to announce the winner of its Christmas in July holiday card contest, Anthony M. In a narrow one-vote victory, Anthony\u2019s The Little Christmas Tree painting edged out the additional nine entries. As the winner, Anthony\u2019s painting will be featured on the Allentown Rescue Mission\u2019s 2026 Christmas … Continue reading And the Winner is\u2026<\/span>