The Family Promise of Greater Des Moines (FPGD) Summer Celebration and Silent Auction to support families experiencing homelessness is happening soon! Join us Friday, June 28, from 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. to celebrate the efforts of volunteers, donors and supporters who helped 23 adults and 41 homeless children in 2018. Thanks to sponsors Sammons Financial Group and R&R Realty Group, the event and silent auction will raise funds to assist even more families throughout 2019 and beyond!

The event features music, food and a 50/50 raffle and silent auction. The celebration will take place at the Giovannetti Shelter at 9000 Douglas Ave. in Urbandale.

In addition to raising funds, we will highlight accomplishments of guest families in finding income and transitional or permanent housing over the last year.

“Our partnership with 14 faith-based host congregations is critical to helping families in their greatest time of need,” said Jim Cain, FPGD executive director. “It’s important that we acknowledge and celebrate all the people who give their time and treasure to help make our community stronger.”

Anyone interested in attending the Summer Celebration may purchase tickets or donate at familypromisedm.org or call (515) 277-7051. 

Pictured above: Examples of items or experiences available at silent auction.

When Rob and Natalie Francis volunteered with their parish, Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart, they weren’t expecting to be so emotionally moved that they’d give away their car. But that’s exactly what they did.

Working alongside others in their congregation to help host Family Promise of Greater Des Moines guest families for a week, Rob and his wife came to realize how much they took their own blessings for granted.

“It can be very humbling to see how we can help others, and it makes you appreciate everything you have that much more,” Rob said. After volunteering, the couple decided to donate a van they no longer needed to FPGD. “We think Family Promise is an extremely important ministry, and we hoped they might have a family that could get some use out of our old car.”

When the couple arrived at FPGD to hand over the keys to the van, they were surprised and touched to discover the family receiving the vehicle were guests they had helped while volunteering just a few weeks prior.

“Having just hosted the family that needed the van, and getting to know them on a personal level, made donating the car so much more gratifying,” said Natalie. “We could see the impact directly affecting a family in need. We got to see first-hand the joy it brought to the entire family.”

For FPGD guests John and Mary, the van was instrumental to helping their family successfully leave the program. The couple and their three kids, a daughter age 7, and two boys ages 13 and 14, came to FPGD when John needed employment. He was very motivated and found temporary employment within a week at FPGD, and he was hoping it would become permanent. After working six days a week for a month, the family’s van wouldn’t start, and the repair costs were more than they could afford.

And that’s when the Francis family showed up with a new van – coincidentally, the same type of van John and Mary previously owned. The van provided John and his family with reliable transportation, and he has earned permanent employment with the company, including great benefits.

Rob says his family’s involvement with FPGD has been one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives. “Not only do we get to help Family Promise families, but it has been a great way to witness to God’s call for mercy, charity and love of neighbor throughout our parish,” he added. “We have developed many new relationships with other families at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart in the process, and it has exposed us to many more people that we didn’t realize were doing so much in our parish to help others in need.”

Thank you to Natalie and Rob Francis for their generous hearts and donations. Please remember gifts like cars, furniture and other items may also bless families in need in addition to financial donation. Feel free to contact our office to find out what families may need!

If you haven't donated yet, there's still time! Please consider helping us hit our goal of raising more than $18,000 through Birdies for Charity — a Principal Charity Classic program that supports Iowa nonprofits that serve children. Through the generosity of Sammons Financial Group and Wells Fargo, Birdies for Charity provides a 10 percent match on all charity donations up to $10,000! The deadline to donate and receive the match is July 31.

We are just under $1,000 shy of hitting our goal for this year. Thank you to those who have already donated! You can donate here!

As one of our newest board members, Angela Jiskoot chose to join the Family Promise of Greater Des Moines (FPGD) mission because of her passion for making a difference in the community. Recruited by another FPGD board member, she was drawn to the organization because of its focus on keeping families together during their greatest time of need.

“Homelessness has an impact on the vitality of our community,” Angela said. “Family Promise is especially important as it serves a niche need of helping homeless families with children.”

Angela recently joined Pella Corporation as an associate product manager and brings a strong background in marketing and project management to the FPGD board. She also serves on the FPGD marketing committee to help promote special events and advise on communication efforts.

“I am passionate about making a difference in our community, and I believe that starts with helping others in need,” Angela added.

Angela lives in West Des Moines and likes to ride bike, play volleyball and travel. She is also the proud aunt of two nieces and a nephew, who she spends as much time with as possible.

We’re excited to announce a new event starting next year – Family Promise of Greater Des Moines Bed Races! The inaugural event will take place during the 2020 Urbandale 4th of July Festivities, and proceeds will benefit central Iowa families with children who are experiencing homelessness.

This family-friendly, fun event will invite teams of six to design, repurpose or build a bed on wheels to push to the finish line. Teams are encouraged to be creative with bed themes and costumes!

Come see us this year in the Urbandale 4th of July parade as we promote the event while pushing our own bed. Be sure to check our Facebook page and website for updated details as we further plan the event!

In addition to financial gifts, in-kind donations are also extremely important to the success of our organization. Please drop off any of the following items at: 

Family Promise of Greater Des Moines
4114 Allison Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50310

7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday through Friday
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday.

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