Christ Church Outreach News: September 1, 2022
Christ Church Provides Summer Supplies at Grassroots’ DRC at Dorsey Center and Shares A “Save-the-Date” to Help the Homeless
It’s been a hot, muggy summer, so gaining access to supplies like bug spray, sunblock, and sports drinks has made a big difference for people living in a tent or in their vehicles. One oasis – literally – is the Day Resource Center (DRC), which offers services at Dorsey Center three days a week to homeless men, women, and, occasionally, their children. The DRC is operated by Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center.
The center has been in need of supplies ranging from men’s underwear to bottled water and canned meats and soups. Meanwhile, requests flowed from Dr. Joseph Gagliardi to meet the needs of patients at his free medical clinic at the DRC. Every month this summer, Outreach member Dione Mahoney and her husband, Jim, responded to the DRC needs by shopping and delivering the goods.
Thanks to the support of parishioners who donate through the church to “General Outreach,” or to the DRC explicitly, the Outreach Commission could replenish the clinic's medicine cabinet with vitamins, over-the-counter allergy pills, acetaminophen, and more. We also responded to a plea for oral health aids: toothbrushes, toothpaste, and Orajel. In total, the purchases came to just under $1,300.
Separately, the Outreach Commission voted at its July 11 meeting to give Grassroots $500 to be at the ready when “Dr. G'' has a patient who is hospitalized and must be released with no home in which to recuperate. The funds, drawn from parishioners’ donations, go toward so-called “respite care.”
A hearty thanks go out to you from “Dr. G” and our DRC friends!
Now save the date! Here is a way to help Grassroots by celebrating with friends and family at a fundraising event. The date is the same day as the Christ Church Flea Market. No need to cook dinner that night; instead go to the 75th Annual Community Crab Feast from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Howard County Fairgrounds on Sept. 17. The menu is “all-you-can-eat” hot crabs, cold oysters, and pit beef. Tickets are $85, $25 for ages 3 to 10, or the discounted price of $80 each if purchased in a table for 10. For details, read the online invitation. Tell your friends and co-workers and, as Grassroots puts it, “Let’s Get Crackin’ for the Community! “
Besides operating the DRC and the Freetown Road Live-in Facility where Christ Church provides a monthly meal, Grassroots provides numerous crisis intervention services. These include walk-in opioid counseling. It is the point of entry for the county’s Coordinated System of Homeless Services.
Afghan Refugee Ministry Updates – New Ways You Can Help
Support the Afghan Refugee Ministry “white elephant” table at the September 17 Christ Church flea market: donate items in very good condition, help at the table, shop at the table. Items you’re donating can be dropped off at Old Brick from 10am – 3pm during the week of Sept 12 (only during that week, please). Check-in with Aisha White in the church office who’ll show you where to put your donations. Nothing that's broken or damaged, please, nothing too heavy, and no clothing. Contact Paula Rees for more information - cprees@comcast.net.
As we mark one year since the U.S. military left Afghanistan and the Taliban took control, your voice is needed to urge a resolution of the current temporary visa status of thousands of Afghans who helped the U.S. and were evacuated (the members of the Afghan family here in the U.S. that's sponsored by Christ Church are in this group), and lack of visas for thousands more Afghans who helped the Americans but who did not get out last year and remain in grave danger from the Taliban (the husband/father and son/brother of “our” Afghan family are in this group). Link to steps you can take (either quick or more in-depth) in support of the Afghan Adjustment Act on the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service website (www.lirs.org), under the “Take Action” tab.
Columbia Community Care Requests Diapers, Personal Care Items
At Christ Church, members of R.A.G.E and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to continue supporting the all-volunteer organization, Columbia Community Care (CCC). Please collect diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers. Put them in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall on weekdays when the church office is open or on Sunday. Our representative is Violet Smith, who takes parishioners’ donated items to a CCC site for distribution on Saturdays. Updated information about distribution can be found on the CCC Group on Facebook. Please note the image here, which mentions holiday closing information.
Donate Snacks, Crackers, and Cookies to FISH in Bin on our Breezeway
Organizers for FISH of Howard County are continuing to ask for cookies, crackers, and snacks to fulfill its shopping lists. The yellow bin is between Old Brick and the Parish Hall. Thanks for your contributions to our neighbors in need.
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.
