80th Birthday Celebration Brings Love and Hope to Skid Row

by Erin on Wednesday, September 30th, 2009, Filed Under General, In The News, The Latest | View Comments

Last Saturday, September 26th, the Biddy Mason Foundation brought together people from all across the city to celebrate Rev. Dr. Cecil “Chip” Murray’s 80th birthday and assist many people living on Skid Row.

Volunteers gathered in the morning for service projects at Union Rescue Mission and the surrounding area. At 1:00pm, festivities began in the San Julian Park. The afternoon was kicked off with a party for local children complete with face-painting, cotton candy, and snow cones! Over 500 people were able to enjoy hotdogs and hamburgers, meet with a job recruiter, and watch amazing performances by J’n’J Soulful Steps and The Spiritual Hi-Tones. The party was complete with cake and the singing of “Happy Birthday” led by Mayor Villaraigosa. Volunteers also handed out water to Skid Row residents, which was much-appreciated on a hot summer afternoon!

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Union Rescue Mission was delighted to be able to be a part of the celebration. Rev. Andy Bales commented, “What an honor it was to be invited to celebrate the One who sent legendary Rev. Dr. Chip Murray to Los Angeles. We were proud to assist Rev. Murray and 1st AME Church as they brought love and hope to the people on Skid Row for his 80th Birthday Celebration.”

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Rev. Murray joined the faculty of USC’s School of Religion after retiring from pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal Church (FAME). Throughout his 27-years as FAME’s pastor, Rev. Murray transformed a small congregation of 300 into an 18,000 person church, with multi-million dollar community and economic development programs that have brought jobs, housing, and corporate investment to many neighborhoods in South Los Angeles. He is known throughout the community for his passion to have African American Church leaders of the Civil Rights generation pass on their years of experience, spiritual authority, and political pragmatism to the next generation. In 2005, he was appointed by Mayor Villaraigosa to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Commission (LAHSA) which coordinates and manages over $70 million annually in Federal, State, County and City funds for programs which provide shelter, housing and services to those experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles.

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Union Rescue Mission would like to send a warm thank-you to everyone who participated in the celebration; it is always a blessing to join with others to bring hope to those who need it the most.

  • derrick mitchell

    THANK YOU UNION RESCUE MISSION AND ALL OF THE STAFF, AND PEOPLE WHOM MADE THIS EVENT HAPPEN. MS.BETH ROSS THE BIDDY MASON FOUNDATION,, REV CHIP MURRAY, MAYOR V AND THE PEOPLE OF SKID ROW FOR OPENING UP THEIR HEARTS TO ALL THE GUEST OF SAN JULIAN PARK. THE VOLUNTEERS GREAT JOB AND MAY GOD CONTINUE HIS BLESSINGS IN YOUR LIFE.SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR.

  • http://auntiejoyce.com “Auntie Joyce” Face Painter Extraordinaire

    Thank you for the opportunity to serve. It was a awesome experience to be able to spread joy to those that seldom have that opportunity because of their environment. I painted so many children an adults that truly appreciated what they received. Thank you, again, for the opportunity to serve. I will forward some of my pics.

  • eunice mitchell

    The entire event was the best Beth Ross of the BIDDY MANSON FOUNDATION along with her committee and supporters did a wonderful job, the Union Rescue Mission entire organization really made things happen with their participate in every area of the event.Hats off to Andy & Alex of the Rescue mission who work the entire event. ]The entertainment was great and the water walk was a great highlight of the event with Rev. Murry and Mayor Villaraigosa and other leaders waking and passing out water. It was a great experience for me and my family my grandson (the one that was playing with the ball in the parking lot) had a wonderful time Rev. Murry as always is a wonderful and great man thanks to him and all the others that spoke and everyone that was a part of this great event. I’m looking forward to next year so everyone keep in touch with the the BIDDY MANSON FOUNDATION @ bethross@biddymans.org.

  • corliss@percy wilder

    What a joy it was to part of a great celebration, to know what love is all about, The lord knew what he was during when he sent Cycle chip Murry to us. To God Be the Glory for all he has done.

  • http://thespiritualhi-tones.com Grady Mackey

    It was our pleasure to lend our voices to such a momentous occasion. Celebrating the birthday of our spiritual leader with the brothers and sisters on Skid Row was an experiences we will never forget!We will be ready for the 90th!

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