Fwd: Your Invitation to Make an Impact This Month

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: REAL Life Community Services <robyn@reallcs.org>
Date: Fri, May 1, 2026 at 4:01 AM
Subject: Your Invitation to Make an Impact This Month
To: <philandkelly@gmail.com>

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Our Ever-Present God

It’s hard to describe a “normal” day at REAL Life—maybe “typical” is a better word.

We received a call from a man who had arrived in our community after a series of devastating events. What began as a routine medical situation—a healthy man diagnosed with a cyst—quickly turned tragic. A standard surgery left him paralyzed from the waist down. After spending several weeks in a rehabilitation facility, he expected to return to his apartment. Sadly, that was no longer an option, and he was left without a place to call home.

During his recovery, he became friends with a former REAL Life participant. These two men were both learning to navigate serious physical challenges, though their circumstances were very different. When the friend learned about his situation, he refused to let him go without shelter and offered him a place to stay. He quickly connected him with our social work team and even brought him to the appointment.

After the meeting, we explained that we would follow up with next steps once we had time to connect with our partners. What we didn’t realize was that instead of leaving with the friend he arrived with, he chose to wait outside.

Not long after, another visitor came into the office and introduced himself. He shared that he was connected to a church in the Southern Berks county area and had unexpectedly seen our new friend next door at the Turkey Hill in Denver. Feeling prompted to act, he stopped by to make sure we knew that this man was trustworthy and truly in need of help. By that point, we had already started working on securing temporary shelter for him.

The visitor was so thankful to hear this that he asked if he could make a donation. He also began talking with us about ways his church could continue supporting our mission.

God’s constellations are made up of stars, each connected in unique and meaningful ways. On this “typical” afternoon, those connections brought three men together at our office: one to bless his friend, one to receive a blessing, and one to pass that blessing along.

We are continually reminded that we are surrounded by a loving and ever-present God.

We’re bringing the smoker and the flavor—just in time for a great night out in the community!

Join us on Friday, May 15, during the Unruh Insurance Cruise Night in downtown Denver, starting at 4:30 PM (and serving until we sell out!).

For a $10 suggested donation, you can enjoy a hearty meal featuring real smoked pulled pork piled high on a bun, along with chips and a drink. It’s a simple way to grab something delicious while supporting a meaningful cause.

You’ll find us at the REAL Life tent right next to Castenedas Mexican Restaurant- just follow the signs when you arrive. And a heads-up: we tend to sell out quickly, so coming early is your best bet.

Every dollar raised goes directly to support the work of REAL Life Community Services. We’re also grateful to our friends at Swamp Christian Fellowship for generously smoking the meat and helping make this event possible.

Come hungry, bring a friend, and be part of what’s happening in our community—we’d love to see you there!

Get ready to hit the course for a day that’s about more than just golf—it’s about making a REAL impact.

Join us for the 4th Annual REAL Life Golf Tournament on Wednesday, June 10, and be part of an event where every swing helps support individuals and families across Northern Lancaster County. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer chasing a low score or just looking to enjoy a great day outdoors with friends, this tournament offers something for everyone.

Players will enjoy a full 18-hole tournament experience, complete with on-course contests, fun challenges, raffles, and plenty of food and beverages along the way. It’s a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere with just the right amount of friendly competition—perfect for teams of all skill levels.

More importantly, your participation helps fund vital programs through REAL Life Community Services, providing food, support, mentorship, and care to those who need it most in our community.

Registration is now open, so now’s the time to gather your foursome and secure your spot. If you’re not playing, sponsorship opportunities are also available for businesses that want to invest in the community while building meaningful connections.

Don’t miss your chance to play, give, and be part of something bigger. We’d love to see you out on the course this June!

Volunteer Opportunities!

If you enjoy being outside and want a hands-on way to give back, the community garden is a great place to jump in.

Volunteers work together throughout the season to prepare the soil, plant and tend the crops, and keep everything growing strong. From pulling weeds to harvesting fresh vegetables, there’s always something to do—and plenty of opportunity to learn along the way.

The impact goes far beyond the garden beds. The produce grown is shared with local nonprofits, churches, and organizations that help provide food for those in need, meaning every hour you spend makes a tangible difference in the community.

Whether you join us once or come regularly, you’re always welcome. If you’re interested, click here to email Beny and let him know you’d like to take part in an upcoming Community Garden day—we’d love to have you join us.

Do you have a flexible daytime schedule and a heart to serve? We’re looking for volunteers who can help provide occasional rides for individuals and families we support—whether it’s to our monthly shopping program, a doctor’s appointment, or a meeting with a social worker.

Many of these needs come up on short notice, so flexibility is key. Your willingness to step in can make a meaningful difference in someone’s ability to access essential care and support.

If you’re able to lend a hand (and a ride), we’d love to connect with you! If you have volunteered with us in the past, please click here to email and notify our staff of your interest in helping in this way.

If you have never volunteered with us before, please click the button that says 'Volunteer Sign-Up' so that we can add you to our list of transportation volunteers as well as any other volunteering opportunities you might find yourself interested in!

Volunteer Sign-Up

Join us in Prayer & Praises

We know there are many meaningful ways to partner with us, and one of the most impactful is through prayer. That’s why we’re beginning a new initiative—inviting those who visit our office or warehouse to share their prayer requests with us.

If you’d like to come alongside us in lifting up these needs, we’d love to have you join our prayer email list. Simply click the button below to sign up and receive updates so you can pray with us regularly.

Join our Prayer Team!

This Month's Prayers and Praises!

Praise:

We’re excited to share that our warehouse will soon be receiving a walk-in refrigerator! While we’re still finalizing the details, both the refrigerator itself and the labor to install it have been generously donated. This is a tremendous blessing that will allow us to expand our storage for perishable items and better serve those in our community.

Prayer Requests:

As the ministry continues to grow, so do our needs. We are in the early stages of exploring the addition of an office receptionist. Please pray for wisdom and clarity as we discern this next step, and for God’s guidance when the time comes to identify the right person for this role.
Please pray that our Pulled Pork Fundraiser will sell out and that lots of people come out on the 15th to support the Cruise Night, which will be benefitting both REAL Life and the Denver Fire Company.

Thank you for partnering with us in prayer—it truly makes a difference.

Help us keep these programs and more going! Consider a generous gift today to Connect the Community to Hope!

Give Now

First Friday Food Drive

May 1st

Every first Friday of the month, we host a food drive in the back parking lot of the Declaration House. It’s a way the community can give back and help donate items that we need.

You can drop off food at any time from 3-5 pm on that Friday.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Mondays, 8-9PM

Meeting at the Lighthouse Community Center.

Momentum

Tuesdays, 6:30-8PM

Momentum guarantees a young person that there is someone who cares about them. A child needs to know that they are not alone in dealing with the day-to-day challenges of life.

Momentum meets at the Lighthouse Community Center throughout the school year following the Cocalico School District calendar.

Denver Mom's In Prayer

1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 9-10:30am

Meeting at the Lighthouse Community Center.

GriefShare

Wednesday's Starting March 11th, 6-7:30pm

Meeting at the Lighthouse Community Center.

This is a 13 week cycle to help navigate from a grief journey to a healing destination.

For more information, please contact 610-775-3667

Young at Heart

Wednesdays, 9-11AM

All events are free and are for individuals that are 60 years and older. Coffee, chatting, games, speakers, and MORE! Come out and get to know others in your community!

1st & 3rd Wednesdays we meet at Adamstown Area Library!

2nd & 4th Wednesdays we meet at Faith Evangelical United Lutheran Church in Denver!