Month: December 2024

CORE’s Christmas Blessing Store: Five Years Of Community Impact

Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the Christmas Blessing Store—a partnership between CORE and the Hollister School District—has transformed holiday seasons for local families. For half a decade, this event has made an incredible difference in the lives of those it serves.  CORE’s CEO, Cary McKee, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the partnership: “CORE is honored and blessed to partner with the Hollister School District for this year’s Christmas Blessing Store. It truly is a gift for us to take what we’ve been given and share it with the community.”

Before the Covid 19 pandemic, CORE had agreements with local retailers to receive generous product donations. The abundance and breadth of donations quickly inspired a mission to provide for persons in need within the local area.  This purpose well aligns with CORE’s recovery program, which fosters civic-minded service among our clients.

Although our clients were eager to help, the pandemic presented a significant challenge: social distancing ordinances prevented public events, leaving CORE with no way to distribute donations. Cary, however, found a creative solution by partnering with Dr. Brian Wilson, Superintendent of the Hollister School District. Together, they created the Christmas Blessing Store, which provides a shopping experience—free of charge—for families in need. This year’s event saw 275 children, representing over 20% of Hollister’s student population, along with their families, receive gifts and household necessities.

An Effort of Many Hands

Planning for the 2024 Christmas Blessing Store began immediately after last year’s event. Weekly pickups from local retailers, coordinated by CORE operations manager Gary Osborn, ensured a steady stream of donated goods. These donations were sorted, tested, and stored by our clients at CORE’s Branson warehouse. As the event date approached, our client volunteers worked tirelessly to prepare, often becoming emotionally invested in the knowledge that their efforts would directly benefit families in need.

Tamara Spencer, who led much of our client organizing efforts, described the experience as a deeply personal honor: “Knowing that the items we sorted would be offered to families who don’t necessarily have the money for Christmas was huge. It’s like being Santa Claus, and that’s cool!”

The inventory included bicycles, toys, clothing, shoes, electronics, home décor, Christmas decorations, and much more—essentially a mini big-box store. In early December, CORE’s trucks delivered the items to Hollister’s Tiger Pod, where CORE volunteers, school counselors, and student groups transformed the space into a welcoming store.

A Community Effort

The event’s success was made possible by a dedicated network of volunteers. Sandy Brown, a retired school counselor, returned to coordinate this year’s operations. She praised the contributions of CORE, our clients, school counselors, the National Honor Society, the Civil Air Patrol student group, Tiger Academy, Girl Scouts, and local churches. Whether setting up tables, organizing health and beauty items, or repairing bicycles, these groups ensured a seamless experience for participating families.

Dr. Wilson emphasized the event’s alignment with the school district’s mission: “Kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. This event shows our students and their families that we’re here for them, creating partnerships that support both their immediate needs and their education.”

A Blessing for All

For volunteers, the event exemplified the spirit of giving. Dr. Wilson remarked on the profound impact the event has on everyone involved: “It truly is a blessing for everybody. Seeing our community come together to make a difference resonates deeply with everyone, whether they’re giving or receiving.”

This year’s Christmas Blessing Store provided families with more than gifts under the tree; it offered hope, dignity, and a renewed sense of community. From CORE’s clients to Hollister’s educators and student volunteers, the effort underscored the transformative power of giving—a testament to the store’s fitting name. As Sandy Brown put it: “This has always been a passion of mine. If I can help one student and their family have a better Christmas, it’s worth it.” 

Looking ahead, Cary said that CORE remains committed to continuing this vital tradition of giving and community support.

To The Summit: Step Eleven

Scaling Yosemite’s El Capitan, the world’s ultimate destination for big-wall rock climbing, demands an extraordinary level of focus.  Every move to the top must be deliberate, every grip secure, and every piece of equipment trusted implicitly.  The climber’s life depends on this unwavering concentration – after all, half a mile is a long way down.

Many aspects of life also require our complete attention. Driving through heavy traffic, watching over small children, or operating powerful tools are just a few examples. In each case, a lapse in focus can result in disastrous, even life-threatening, consequences.

Similarly, focus is no less essential in the journey of recovery, where the stakes are just as life-defining.  We must always remember that we have recovered only because “a Power greater than ourselves” intervenes, performing what can only be described as miraculous.  

The relentless obsession that fuels our addictions doesn’t disappear by itself.  Neither the passage of time nor human effort alone can extinguish it.  Rather, “God restored us all to our right minds,” the Big Book observes.  It further states, “[Our] recovery is not dependent upon people. It is dependent upon [our] relationship with God.”  Ultimately, our problems are solved “by a simple reliance upon the Spirit of the Universe.”  The basic conditions include trusting in God, addressing our objectionable character defects, making amends, and helping others. 

God’s central role in our recoveries is a daily necessity.  For this reason, it must define our way forward if we are to continue living happy, joyous, and free.  “Our real purpose,” the book says, “is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us.”  This brings us to Step 11:

“Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.”

Step 11 keeps us connected to the divine source of our recovery. We engage with this step daily to maintain awareness of God’s active presence in our lives. Step 11 challenges us to depend on God for both the willingness and the diligence to seek out and follow His will for us to be loving and service-oriented toward others. 

The Big Book offers several practical suggestions for incorporating this step into our daily routines.

First, each morning we thoughtfully consider our plans for the day ahead. Our meditation encompasses not only reflecting on upcoming events and potential challenges but also engaging with spiritual readings and written prayers from trusted sources. In prayer, we begin by asking God to guide our thoughts away from self-pity, dishonesty, and selfish motives. We humbly seek His inspiration and wisdom. To prepare our minds for the day, we pray for clarity, freedom from self-will, and the ability to help others. Importantly, we avoid prayers driven by selfish desires.

Second, as our day unfolds, we pause whenever we feel agitated or uncertain, asking for guidance on the right course of action. By repeating the simple phrase “Thy will be done,” we remind ourselves of the futility of attempting to control everything and reaffirm our trust in God’s authority.

Third, at day’s end, we engage in a constructive review through a final meditation, asking:

a) Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest, or afraid?  Do we owe an apology?  Have we kept something to ourselves that should be shared with another person immediately?

b) Were we kind and loving toward all?  What could we have done better?

c) Were we thinking mostly of ourselves?  Or were we focused on how we could contribute to others and add to the stream of life?

Following this review, we humbly ask God to forgive our shortcomings and seek His guidance on the corrective measures needed to grow and improve.

For those needing more particularized instruction about prayer and meditation, the Big Book also advises we follow the prescribed devotions of the religious denomination of which we are members.  For those without such affiliations, memorizing meaningful prayers or consulting spiritual books can provide guidance. Suggestions may also come from clergy.  “Be quick to see where religious people are right.  Make use of what they offer.”

The Big Book’s suggestions about working this step are necessarily broad to accommodate our diverse spiritual beliefs and practices.  Notwithstanding, we don’t know of anybody who would quarrel with its assumptions that God’s will includes our being kind and loving toward all, contributing to others, and adding to the stream of life.

In summary, rather than prescribing rigid rituals, the Big Book’s guidance allows us to integrate Step 11 into our unique understandings of God and spirituality while still encouraging us to take ourselves out of the center of the equation.  This flexibility fosters inclusivity, genuine connection, and freedom from forced conformity.

The Miracle Of Recovery

Christmas, the season of miracles and abundant hope, offers the perfect time to reflect on the miracle of recovery. By “miracle,” we don’t mean everyday surprises like finding a prime parking spot at Walmart or having Thanksgiving leftovers despite unexpected guests. Instead, we’re talking about a profound transformation that occurs only through God’s divine intervention.

In this spirit, we share the words of Alcoholics Anonymous’ founders, who have well-expressed our personal experience:

“The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives in a way which is indeed miraculous. He has commenced to accomplish those things for us which we could never do by ourselves.”

To understand why we call recovery a miracle, we must first confront the desperate reality of addiction. The addict is trapped in a relentless cycle, compelled to use substances against their will. Addiction is driven by two forces: a physical craving and a mental obsession. While the physical craving diminishes with time and abstinence, the mental obsession is far more insidious. It clings relentlessly, ensuring the sufferer’s eventual return to alcohol or drugs, especially under stress, emotional turmoil, or life’s inevitable challenges.

This obsession is an irrational and overwhelming force that overpowers even the strongest resolve. It compels the addict to prioritize their addiction above all else—family, friendships, home, and career—dragging them into an ever-deepening spiral. Neither sheer determination, “white-knuckling,” outside encouragement, nor external pressure can break its hold. This primal compulsion erases the boundaries of love, morality, and responsibility, driving the addict to manipulate, beg, borrow, or even steal to feed their obsession. The addict finds themselves in a dark place, utterly hopeless.  Their willpower and human resources can’t save them.

This stark reality underscores why we view recovery as a miracle. When we recovered, the obsession was lifted—it simply no longer existed. We could stay sober without any struggle or effort because the overwhelming urge was just gone. We were free to live without being controlled by the obsession, as if a weight had been lifted from our shoulders—something that neither human effort nor aid had ever achieved.

The lifting of the obsession is the hallmark of recovery, but recovery is so much more. The transformation reshaped our relationships with the world. We learned to live life on life’s terms. While the world itself didn’t conform to our personal wants, our transformation certainly invited a favorable response. We rebuilt trust and strengthened connections with family, friends, colleagues, and business associates, creating relationships founded on honesty, respect, and mutual understanding.

These changes reflected a profound realignment of our priorities and perspectives. Recovery enabled us to live in harmony with ourselves, others, and the world, filling us with a sense of lasting peace, purpose, and fulfillment.

This is the miracle of recovery we share with clients at CORE, helping them find the same freedom and joy. But perhaps the most satisfying change of all has been the disappearance of the obsession that once haunted us every moment of every day. The Big Book correctly observes that this release happens “without any thought or effort on our part” and offers further insights into this remarkable experience as follows:

“We are not fighting it, neither are we avoiding temptation. We feel as though we had been placed in a position of neutrality—safe and protected. We have not even sworn off. Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us.”

At this point, the naysayer might argue that the 12 Steps work not because of divine intervention but due to the structured exercises themselves, making the idea of God unnecessary. They assert that addiction stems from selfishness and self-centeredness—the root of the obsession. This egocentrism keeps the addict at odds with the world, perpetuating restlessness, irritability, and discontent, which in turn drive the relentless urge for relief through substances.

From this perspective, the 12 Steps are deliberately designed to confront and correct these deficiencies, i.e., selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear, among others. Thus, the argument holds, by addressing these defects through the prescribed actions, a favorable change naturally occurs. The completion of these steps should be expected to produce predictable and beneficial results, all without requiring a miracle or divine influence.

With all due respect to our critic, they’re missing the veritable cornerstone of the 12 Step program: reliance on God! While the 12 Steps provide a vital framework for recovery, it is God’s power that enables real transformation. Convinced of the futility of continuing as we were in our addictions, we placed ourselves under God’s care and guidance, asking to be freed from the bondage of self so we could better do His will.

We faced our flaws, prayed for God’s help to remove them, and sought His guidance to live according to His ideals for us. Through self-examination, humility, and amends, we developed a deeper relationship with Him. Determined to live in alignment with God’s will, we have maintained daily contact, asking for His guidance and strength.  We also dedicated ourselves to a life of service and have come to understand why the Lord said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”   

The results have been astonishing. We gained a way of living that works in all circumstances, and the obsession has been removed. Most telling, each of us has faced moments of potential temptation—when the opportunity to use was squarely before us. In the past, we were utterly defenseless, but now there is no struggle, no urge to use at all. We react calmly and sanely, simply saying “no.”

In these moments, we can only marvel at the truth of the Big Book’s promises:

“We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.”

No matter how many times such moments occur—whether at social events or in the course of 12 Step work with others—they are always extraordinary. We recognize them for what they are: a miracle.

A Christmas Message From CORE

“When they came to Bethlehem where our sweet savior lay, they found him in a manger, where oxen feed on hay.” 
– Beauties of the Magazines (1775)

Two thousand years ago, a baby was born in Bethlehem on a special day—the most important day in the history of the world. That baby was Jesus Christ, the true light that gives light to everyone. He didn’t come as a mighty ruler or conqueror but as an infant lying in a humble manger. In this way, the Word, who in the beginning was with God and was God, became flesh and made His dwelling among us.

In Jesus, heaven touched earth and bridged the gap between the divine and human. God’s love and hope became tangible. His mission was to save us all, and to show us how to live. Jesus not only fulfilled God’s promise of redemption and forgiveness, but he also reached out to the marginalized, healed the sick, forgave sinners, and broke down barriers of division.

The message of Christmas is timeless. It’s an annual reminder of how we should live: with love in action—love that can be touched, heard, and felt. Christmas is about offering a hand, heart, and hope to those in need. It’s about continuing the Lord’s work by bringing light to a broken world.

CORE is exceptionally blessed to be associated with people who exemplify love in action. We are profoundly thankful for the incredible individuals who make our mission possible—people like you! Your support fuels our work, drives our efforts, and transforms lives.

First, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our donors over the past year. Your joy in giving has overflowed into acts of sacrificial generosity that have touched countless lives. Every gift, no matter the size, has made a tangible difference. You gave not out of obligation, but from a sincere desire to reflect God’s grace and love. Our prayer is that our heavenly Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward your humility and bless you for your unwavering commitment to serving others.

Second, we thank our remarkable volunteers. If our donors are the fuel that powers CORE, then our volunteers are the engine that drives our mission forward. Your meaningful action brought hope and help to those seeking freedom from addiction. While volunteer work may not always be glamorous, your passion and dedication shine very brightly. Your willingness to serve, often behind the scenes, has been the heartbeat of real and lasting change.

To all our donors and volunteers: your partnership inspires us, and your impact is immeasurable. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in CORE and supporting our mission.  Together, we are building brighter futures and continuing the Lord’s work of bringing light to the world.  

From all of us at CORE, we wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas filled with joy and blessings!