Christ Church Outreach News: November 27, 2024
What a Haul! Parishioners Donate 355 Pounds of Food to Help the Howard County Food Bank Brighten Families’ Thanksgiving Meals
Your donations of groceries such as stuffing mix, gravy, and canned goods are making a big difference starting this week. The Howard County Food Bank expects its Holiday Meal Kits to feed about 1,000 people for Thanksgiving and another 1,000 for Christmas.
Christ Church collected 355 pounds of food during our annual drive for the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC), which operates the food bank. On Nov. 22, Outreach Commission volunteers packed and delivered the goods. At the weigh-in, parishioners Melanie and Nick Yaksich were met by CAC Community Development Specialist Michael Werling, who personally thanked Christ Church for our donations (in above photo). We further supported CAC with a monetary donation to purchase alternative proteins for its holiday meal kits, as described in the Outreach Blog of Oct. 31, 2024. Thanks for your generosity!
Parishioners Step Up, Rapidly Filling Up Our Angel Tree Wish List
Christ Church embraces its annual Angel Tree tradition, when a tree goes up in the Narthex and parishioners are invited to bring Christmas joy to a dozen children. Thanks to your giving spirits, all the slots were taken on their wish list soon after the tree appeared on Nov. 24.
If you still wish to donate, consider a contribution to Christ Episcopal Church; monetary gifts will go toward purchasing a pair of shoes for each child. Please do so online through Realm, by check, or by putting cash in a marked envelope in the collection plate. Designate "Outreach/Angel Tree" on these donations, including a note online in the memo section.
Our “angels’ are children ages 10 to 13, chosen to meet a need identified by the Howard County (Central Maryland) division of The Salvation Army. The nonprofit organization oversees the Angel Tree initiative here and elsewhere. Between now and next Friday, Dec. 6, parishioners have the opportunity to purchase new clothing and special items to complete Christmas gift packages.
You’ve signed up to provide a total of 48 gifts for girls and boys who are represented by tags that remain on the tree. Each child receives an outfit (pants and a top). There are three other categories for each angel: Need, Wish, and Favorite item. Those who have signed up can view the list and gift choices by going online to the Christ Church 2024 Angel Tree SignUp. It has instructions on next steps. It’s most important to label the bag holding the purchase with the child’s name and ID number (e.g., Juliet - HC1527C).
The deadline to bring in your unwrapped gifts is 12 noon on Friday, Dec. 6. Put them under the tree or in the Parish Hall teller’s office. To take part by giving of your time, please volunteer for general assistance. That may involve shopping or other tasks, likely on Dec. 6. To volunteer, email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
The aim is to lift the hearts not only of the angels but of their families. Parents obtain the unwrapped gifts from The Salvation Army to prepare for a brighter Christmas than they could otherwise afford.
Lake Elkhorn Middle School Turkey Trot and Kindness Pantry News
On Monday, November 25th, the students at Lake Elkhorn Middle School ran in the school Turkey Trot. It was lots of fun for the students and the staff, as well as a great learning experience. Lake Elkhorn students participated in a race around the school with gift bags and prizes for students who demonstrated stand-out characteristics consistent with our school P.R.I.D.E. Positive Behavior Program (Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Dependability, and Excellence). Christ Episcopal Church contributed to the event by supplying medals, Gatorade, chips, and candy. Thank you so much for your love and generosity.
And don't forget about the LEMS/Cradlerock Kindness Pantry, as the first one is on the 9th of December. Check the Narthex for the latest needs, and if you have questions, please speak with or email Cathy Whittaker at LEMS@christchurchcolumbia.org. THANK YOU in advance!
FISH Continues to Need Our Support Beyond Collecting Groceries and Toiletries in its Bin and the Altar Basket
FISH of Howard County recently held a meeting at Christ Church, during which it elected board members and called for new volunteers. Parishioner Andy DeLong, who is FISH treasurer, was elected to the board of the nonprofit, which provides committed support to Howard County residents.
On Nov. 11, members of the Christ Church Outreach Commission approved a donation of $250 to FISH for such things as help with utility bills and prescription co-pays for people in need. These are Vestry-approved budget funds drawn from parishioners’ contributions; thanks to one and all for supporting the less fortunate among us.
Please put non-perishable foods and toiletries in the FISH basket at the altar or in the marked yellow bin on the breezeway between Old Brick and Parish Hall. The neighbors you help are grateful for all you do in their support.
Columbia Community Care Plans Holiday Activities, Ways to Help Kids
Columbia Community Care (CCC) has announced holiday activities to help children and their families, including a fundraiser on Wednesday, Dec. 4, featuring Gov. Wes Moore; a restaurant’s drive to donate pies; and CCC’s annual giveaway of children’s presents. That distribution of toys and gifts for kids ages 2 to 16 will take place on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during a celebration at Wilde Lake Middle School. Check the CCC Facebook Group for updates and information on getting involved.
Or, go to the “Support CCC” portion of its website to volunteer for duties such as sorting at the pantry. Those who need help are urged to go to “Get Help” on CCC’s website. Please keep collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items and adult diapers. Put them in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. Our point of contact is Leigh Smith, who monitors the bin and delivers its contents.
DreamBuilders Has a Few Upcoming Events in 2025
Join us for our General Meeting on Sunday, January 12th, at 3 p.m. at Temple Isaiah - Come hear about all the work we will be doing in 2025! We have a spring project with the ARC of Howard County in April, and we are talking with Bridges to Housing Stability about renovating one of their properties as soon as January! And we’ll be returning to Kentucky in June for another blitz build. We’ve got a great video to show of our 2024 Kentucky team, featuring our own Christ Church missioners, Jasmine, Alexander and Kiona along withl their team mates.
And mark your calendars! The annual DreamBuilders Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction will take place on Saturday, March 8th at Temple Isaiah. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we’re going to need your help! We will be organizing donations for the silent auction soon. Blitz Builds are expensive, as we fund building materials as well as housing, food and transportation for our missioners.
To learn more, visit https://dreambuildersmd.org/
In general, if you have suggestions about ways to help the community, if you want to get involved, or if you need assistance, please email Christ Church Outreach at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Your help is greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.
