2nd annual Wishing Tree / Holiday Giving Project- In order to minimize touch points during the pandemic, we will NOT have an actual Christmas tree with labeled ornaments this year, but we will simply conduct a collection for items needed by the South Bend YWCA. This organization provides programs and shelter to help and empower at-risk women and their children. The items they need are as follows: deodorant, diapers (all sizes) pillows (for sleeping), feminine hygiene products, toothpaste and toothbrushes for children and adults. If you wish to participate in this holiday giving project, please bring these items to church and place them in the bins to be located in the foyer. We are accepting new items in their original packaging for safety and sanitation reasons. Thank you to Kathy Verhamme for organizing this project. Collections will begin this Sunday and end November 29. Thank you in advance for your participation.
Transportation to church "for one of our own" - Thank you to those who have made donations toward the fund to help our fellow parishioner pay for Uber or Lyft rides to church (as he is wheelchair bound). We implore others to show compassion and offer any assistance they can. Some thoughts: If we had 25 parishioners offer to drive him, they would have to do it only 2 times per year. 52 volunteers would only have to do it once a year. Or the same count can donate for one or two round-trips per year ($36 per round-trip to church with Uber or Lyft). Or you can volunteer for just one leg of the trip. If more become involved the easier the task becomes. Per Matthew 25:40 - “Truly I say to you, as you did to one of the least of my brethren, you did it to me” - Jesus Christ
Masks to Real Services - This week we will be donating 56 masks to REAL Services in South Bend. This organization provides programs that promote nutrition, self-sufficiency, education and protection for 30,000 at-risk people in northern Indiana. Many thanks to Terri Stavros who is sewing more masks for Philoptochos - so far she has sewn 165 masks for this project! To date, we have donated close to 300 masks to first-responders and those who help those in need within our local community.
Philoptochos tab on church website: We have updated the Philoptochos tab on the church website to reflect specific work of our chapter. Please follow the below link to view its contents which will be periodically updated with new data. Thank you Mary Beth Zachariades for making this happen for our group.
http://saintandrewgoc.org/philoptochos
And remember - All philanthropic work is presented on behalf of Saint Andrew, not Philoptochos. THANK YOU for all you do to support our church’s philanthropic ministry.