Newsletter End of Year 2021

ram house online auction

RAM House is in the midst of an Online Auction and 100% of the proceeds go directly to seeing and meeting the need daily Ram House is in the midst of a new fund raising campaign and the tool we are using is a digital online auction. We conceived of this process to help ease the fears of person to person exposure in the midst of an ongoing pandemic. This auction is currently hosted at www.raminc.auction. We have donated items from businesses, board members, and individuals who want to make a difference. Our auction features everything from a vacation package, shopping spree vouchers, expensive vintage and new jewelry, framed works of art, and hand-made vases. As of this writing we are topping three thousand dollars raised. This is a trial run for us, and it is a venture that we have never done before. We are thinking about continuing this auction in the future with the success we are currently having on our first go around. Charityauctionstoday has made this process streamlined for us, and when all is said and done, they take a minimal deduction for only the items sold. We are so grateful to the many businesses and individuals who have contributed items and gift certificates to this cause. They are far too many to mention here but we thank them kindly!

executive director’s corner In 2021, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of RAM House in a significant way. We were able to cut our expenses and increase our revenues to better serve our community. RAM House is in a fiscally sound place, though we can never rest on our laurels. With the cost of heating homes and impending inflation, it is more important than ever to raise money through our Good Neighbors Fund to prevent more homelessness. Post pandemic, we ask our donors to continue to show love for our general operations as well. In October, the Roanoke Times reported on newly emerging tent cities within Roanoke. At RAM House, we have a great vision to reduce homelessness. Though we do a fantastic job providing services to the most vulnerable homeless people in the Blue Ridge Region, we are working on ways to better serve the homeless by increasing mental health and substance abuse services. During the Summer and Fall, Frank Rogan, the former President of the United Way, has been working with me to talk face to face with leaders from government and community foundations as well as local philanthropists. We also spoke to other non-profits about increasing collaborative efforts. There is great enthusiasm in the community to find innovative ways to decrease homelessness. Going into our 51st year, RAM House is dreaming big because we believe we can do even better. When I was in high school, the famous quote I chose for my senior picture was: “Some people see things as they are and say why? I dream of things that never were and say why not?” Melissa Woodson

WE ARE CONTINUING TO INCREASE OUR SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH TO NEW LEVELS! Facebook - Oct 13th to Nov 9th

People Reached is up 74% Post Engagements is up 31% Page Likes is up 108%

Development director’s corner When I came to RAM, I was inspired and humbled by the kindness and generosity of our donors and volunteers in general. I am incredibly appreciative of all the foundations, congregations, businesses and individuals out there who donate. In the short time I have been here, I’ve seen the momentum of giving growing, and am encouraged by those who give even in challenging times. Donors should always give as they see fit, but gifts toward the general fund are always extra appreciated. There’s nothing glamorous about “the general fund” but in reality that’s what keeps nonprofits afloat. The flexibility to use money where it is most needed at any time is an extra gift. Rachel Vogeley

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