SAINT CHRISTOPHER SOCIAL CONCERNS NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2020 Volume 5 Issue 2 Thank you for signing up to receive information from the Saint Chris Social Concerns Committee (SCC). We appreciate your con- tinued interest in the Social Concerns Committee and looking for ways to help others. Many churches and nonprofits have suspended or modified volun- teer efforts for health reasons due to the coronavirus. We continue to offer suggestions and ideas for you to consider dur- ing these times. Prayer, as you might expect, comes first. Listed next are volunteer opportunities and charitable actions, followed by advocacy and education. Please consider keeping informed of the changing situation and social concerns issues via our Facebook page. Go to: https://tinyurl.com/stchris-scc (St. Chris Social Concerns Committee) to join. Just click on the box: Join Group on the main picture. If you have a problem, let us know. We value your input regarding this newsletter. Please send ideas and comments to John Hosek: [email protected]. PRAYER FOR THE DECEMBER 2020 Dear God, thank you for the gift of your Son at Christmas. Help us to do your work as we continue to wait for your return. Help us to keep the spirit of Christmas alive in our hearts and in our family in the new year. Amen. --A Social Justice Advent Guide for Families DECEMBER 2020 SOCIAL JUSTICE DATES (FROM THE CATHOLIC SOCIAL JUSTICE RESOURCE CENTER) December 1st: World AIDS Day December 2nd: International Day for the Abolition of Slavery December 3rd: International Day of Disabled Persons December 5th: International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development December 18th: International Migrants Day December 20th: International Human Solidarity Day 1 SAINT CHRISTOPHER SOCIAL CONCERNS NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2020 Volume 5 Issue 2 VOLUNTEER AND CHARITABLE OPPORTUNITIES SAINT CHRISTOPHER CHURCH St. Christopher’s 2020 Giving in Faith Together (GIFT) Program For close to 30 years, St. Christopher parishioners have been participating in the Christmas GIFT Program, sharing their bounty with love for those in need. Christmas gifts were dropped off at the Church and distrib- uted to participating nonprofit agencies. The GIFT program was-- and still is-- charity in action. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, your help is needed more than ever. However, the GIFT Program will be handled differently this year. You can still help the 15 agencies through online donations, checks or gift cards. Below is an alphabetical list of participating agencies containing their online address, mailing address, and the type of gift cards preferred. (Please indicate to the agency the donation is from the St. Chris GIFT program, as we will be asking the agencies for feedback on the success of the project this year.) If you wish to give a gift card, we strongly recommend that you drop them off at the St. Chris Rectory (20141 Detroit Road) in an envelope addressed to the agency. Gift card donations must be dropped off no later than Friday December 11, 2020. Volunteers will then deliver them in person to the agencies. Thank you for your help in giving to people in need. Your generosity is greatly appreciated! Birthright: Birthright is committed to offering free, non-judgmental help to women facing unplanned pregnan- cies. Birthright offers love, hope and support to each woman, to help her make a realistic plan for her future and the future of her unborn child. 14701 Detroit Avenue, Suite 370, Lakewood, Ohio 44107 Special request: checks only. Cleveland Christian Home: Cleveland Christian Home annually provides hope and healing to approximately 500 children, youth and families who are struggling with mental illness, abuse, and neglect. 4614 Prospect Avenue E. Suite 240, Cleveland, Ohio 44103 Attention: Development Department Online: https://cchome.org/donate/ Gift cards: Target, Walmart or Kohls 2 SAINT CHRISTOPHER SOCIAL CONCERNS NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2020 Volume 5 Issue 2 Family Promise of Greater Cleveland: The agency helps homeless families each year secure independent housing and the means to sustain it. Families of any composition reside free of charge in Family Promise facilities while benefiting from work with dedicated case managers. 3470 East 152nd Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44120 Online: https://familypromisecle.org/about Gift cards: Target, Walmart, Amazon, Giant Eagle Fill This House: We currently serve Cuyahoga County youth who are "aging out" of the foster care system. We serve teens who have been living in group homes or numerous foster homes, have few belongings, and limited support. P.O. Box 40323, Marc’s Bay Village, Ohio 44140 Online: https://www.fillthishouse.org/ Gift cards: Walmart, Target, Amazon, Aldi, Save A Lot Front Steps: Front Steps provides a safe and secure environment for homeless individuals and families within Cuyahoga County. The Agency offers a holistic approach to working with its residents, graduates and those in the community. 2554 West 25th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113 Online: https://www.frontstepsservices.org/donate Gift cards: Walmart Hispanic Senior Center: The Hispanic Senior Center serves seniors in the Greater Cleveland area with an em- phasis on the cultural and linguistic needs of the older adults of the Hispanic community. 7800 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44102 Attention: Esther Rodriguez Gift Cards: Walmart House of Champions: The House of Champions provides a nurturing and safe setting with a family-like envi- ronment where grade school age children have additional opportunities to learn life skills which will give them the confidence to succeed. 2066 West 47th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44102 c/o Sister Mary Kay Conkey Online: https://vireopay.net/Payer/Payform/Info Gift Cards: Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Michael's Arts and Crafts, JoAnn Fabric 3 SAINT CHRISTOPHER SOCIAL CONCERNS NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2020 Volume 5 Issue 2 Malachi House: Created out of a Christian sense of ministry, Malachi House serves persons who are terminally ill, without regard to gender, race, religion, or national origin and without cost to the resident or family. 2810 Clinton Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44113 Attention: Emily Online: https://malachihouse.org/support-mh/ Gift Cards: Walmart, Target, Giant Eagle, Save A Lot, Home Depot, GFS, Dave’s Market, Amazon Metanoia Project: Metanoia Project provides resources, connections, and opportunities for growth and change to our most vulnerable men and women through our hospitality care in Cleveland. PO Box 770792 Cleveland, Ohio 44107 Attention: Katie Prescott Online: https://metanoiaproject.org/donate-1 Gift Cards: Subway, RTA day bus passes Metro Catholic School: Metro Catholic School provides a quality education that blends learning with faith and faith with life according to the needs and abilities of each child. 3555 West 54th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44102 Attention: Advancement Office Special request: gift cards only. Gift Cards: Target, Giant Eagle, Walmart Providence House: Providence House protects at-risk children and supports families through crisis, strengthen- ing communities to end child abuse and neglect. 2050 West 32nd Street Cleveland, Oh 44113 Online: https://www.provhouse.org/campaigns/st-christopher-parish Gift Cards: Target, Walmart, Dave’s Market, Giant Eagle, Visa Rocky River Assistance Program: Supplies residents in need with food, personal care, and household items. P.O. Box 16724 Rocky River, Ohio 44116 Online: http://www.rrwc.org/donation Gift Cards: Target, Marcs, Giant Eagle St. Colman Church: One of the cornerstones of St. Colman Church is the dedication to "Just Open the Door." Through this belief and commitment, the Parish offers programs, projects and support for parish- ioners and the community in which we serve. 2027 West 65th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44102 Attention: Sister Marilyn Online: https://stcolmanchurch.wesharegiving.org/s/ Gift Cards: Marcs, Target 4 SAINT CHRISTOPHER SOCIAL CONCERNS NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2020 Volume 5 Issue 2 Twice Blessed Free Store: Twice Blessed is a Free Store Ministry, providing necessary items to those in need at no cost. 19414 Detroit Road, Rocky River, Ohio 44116 Attention: Twice Blessed Online: https://www.rrumc.org/giving (use drop down menu for Twice Blessed) Westside Catholic Center: The Westside Catholic Center assists all who come in need of food, clothing, shelter, advocacy, and a path to self-sufficiency. 3135 Lorain Avenue Cleveland, OH 44113 Online: https://www.wsccenter.org/donate or Gift Cards: Amazon, Walmart, Target ROCKY RIVER ASSISTANCE Sadly, the pandemic means we cannot host our annual Holiday Home Tour in 2020. Instead, the Rocky River Women’s Club (RRWC) is selling holiday ornaments to raise money for the Rocky River Assistance Program (RRAP) and other programs. For $25 you will receive a beautiful glass ornament. The funds raised through the 2020 Holiday Fundraiser will support the RRAP that serves those in need within our com- munity. The RRAP provides school supplies, winter coats and gloves, Christmas presents, and meals throughout the year to the neighbors we serve. Furthermore, we provide scholar- ships to local high school students and support local organizations through grants. We ap- preciate your generosity during this time! Click below for information on how to purchase, or to donate: http://www.rrwc.org/2020-holiday-fundraiser?fbclid=IwAR23GYj0gGXiUG4rzrqdzFkVvyi_RM5k0NtD- 6pwNFg5z8vBg05pbzsZwSM Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, the RRAP has limited the monthly Pack & Sort to Rocky River Women’s Club members only. However, you may drop off non-perishable items at Lake Road Market at 20267 Lake Road anytime. The needs for December are canned tomatoes and rice (brown or white). The RRAP needs monetary donations to continue assisting our neighbors in need. Tax-deductible donations can be made online via PayPal: http://www.rrwc.org/donation or by checks made to Rocky River Assistance 5 SAINT CHRISTOPHER SOCIAL CONCERNS NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2020 Volume 5 Issue 2 Program, mailed to: P. O. Box 16724, Rocky River, OH 44116. If more convenient, you can also mail grocery gift cards to RRAP. Giant Eagle, Heinen's and Target cards in $25 increments are the most helpful.