La Cañada Presbyterian Church Parent Ed Director Goes “Over the Edge” for Union Rescue Mission

On Oct 2nd, LCPC Parent Ed Director Anne Bierling and her team, The Soaring Eagles, went Over the Edge repelling down 24 stories of the Universal Hilton raising $44,426 for Union Rescue Mission (URM) Skid Row and Hope Gardens. In total, the Over the Edge fundraising campaign allowed URM to raise $1,125,000 to support our neighbors devasted by homelessness. Bierling’s team included her two daughters, Jessi and Tasha Bierling, plus her nephew Joshua Lange and several friends: Chris Anklam, Christian Mayer, Dean Eatedali, Dennis Deyoung, and Eric Spoelker. Others repelling to raise funds included URM CEO Andy Bales and actor Joel McHale. Anne Bierling passionately stated: “We are so grateful for the support our team received from the La Canada community. My family has been so deeply touched by the many stories of life transformation that are possible because of Union Rescue Mission/Hope Gardens. If anyone is interested in touring facility to learn more, please contact me @ Anne@lacandapc.org. Together, we can make a difference in our city.” Bierling’s team name, Soaring Eagles, was based on the passage from Isaiah 40: 31: Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They will SOAR on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint.

Homelessness in Los Angeles continues to spiral out of control and recent 2021 figures estimate that Los Angeles County now has a homeless count approaching 86,000 with 72% being unsheltered. This means that there are more than 62,000 men, women, and children with nowhere to go, living in a car, tent or makeshift shelter. For over a century, URM has been responding to this mounting crisis. As America’s largest mission of is kind, it provides emergency food and shelter on Skid Row and longer-term housing at other locations. They provide medical and emotional care, education, addiction recovery, and job training. Spiritual support is also a strong component offering discipleship, Bible studies, chapel services, and connection to local churches.

URM is known for strong fiscal stewardship and accountability using 82 cents on every dollar for programing and services. They hold impressive ratings on GuideStar and Charity Navigator–as well as endorsements from the LA Police Commission Charitable Services Section and the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. See their website for more details on how you can support this life-giving mission: ww.urm.org

About LCPC Parent Education

If you have a child or grandchild 0-18 years old, LCPC Parent Education has a class for you! To sign up for a class or experience a Free LCPC class, go to www.lacanadapc.org/parented or call 818-790-6708 x 205. Parent Ed offers 15 daytime classes that meet weekly September through May and attract participants from over twenty different cities. Parent Ed also has a new online class with parents participating from all over the country. Parent Express evening classes are also available. Scholarships and payment plans available online. La Cañada Presbyterian Church is located at 626 Foothill in La Cañada, CA.