FOSP MEMBER NEWS | MAY 2020
Dear Friends of St. Philip’s,

As we mark the end of our first year as an auxiliary to St. Philip’s School and Community Center, we want to THANK YOU. Over the past months, members of Friends of St. Philip’s (FOSP) have served as ambassadors in numerous ways, and because of you, we continue to support the community during these unprecedented times.

Even though we postponed our major inaugural fundraiser, our dedication to supporting St. Philip's during the coronavirus pandemic remains steadfast. We are excited to announce a year-end gift towards student financial assistance, which is needed now more than ever. FOSP joins the hearts of the entire Dallas community navigating through these uncertain times, and we continue to seek ways to champion the good works of St. Philip’s. 

Paula Mitchell
President, Friends of St. Philip’s
FACULTY AND STAFF APPRECIATION
As a thank you to the faculty and staff of St. Philip’s, FOSP hosted two Birthday Luncheons during the school year. Faculty and staff enjoyed lunch and birthday celebrants received a small gift.

At Christmas, faculty and staff were treated to a festive Mexican-themed luncheon. Each individual received a Target gift card. Drawings were held for Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, and SMU Tate Lecture tickets, along with massages and other special treats and prizes handed out to winners.
Both the End-of-the-Year Celebration and the final Birthday Luncheon, scheduled for April, were postponed due to COVID-19. In lieu of the birthday lunch, Friends of St. Philip’s gave gift cards to all those celebrating birthdays in April through July. Though we would love to personally express our gratitude to faculty and staff at an end-of-year celebration, all faculty and staff will receive a gift card in appreciation for their service along with a reusable cloth mask provided by Geaux Fideaux (geauxfideaux.net).

Faculty and staff rallied to address the rapidly changing needs of students during this unprecedented educational challenge. To show our appreciation, Friends of St. Philip’s organized two additional surprises. On Monday, May 4, FOSP business member Ruthie’s Food Trucks provided faculty and staff boxed meals to enjoy with their families. Thank you to Founding Member Ashlee Kleinert for making this event possible. Additionally, faculty and staff received a special sign at their home to thank them for their extraordinary service.
To be a part of future Faculty and Staff appreciation, please email Tina Stansbury.
VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION!
Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry
Friends volunteered on the fourth Monday of the month in Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry until March when procedures changed due to COVID-19. The volunteer-run pantry continues to adapt operations for social distancing to best serve our neighbors at a time of increased demand. The pantry has temporarily switched to a “low touch” assembly and distribution model that provides clients with pre-packaged boxes of staple foods, along with bags of produce, meat, and dairy products through curbside delivery.

SNAP Kitchen is generously supplying surplus food to our neighbors on a daily basis from four locations. Friends of St. Philip’s members and their families have stepped up to deliver this food to the pantry so our clients can receive these nutritious meals as part of their food distribution.

We look forward to the time when Friends can return as hands-on volunteers for the pantry, which serves over 600 families twice a month.
Community Events
Friends of St. Philip’s members and their families served our community at both the annual Thanksgiving Feast and Christmas Store.

The Community Thanksgiving meal, a longstanding tradition of St. Philip’s, started in the early 1980s with the faculty and staff cooking dishes at home and serving a few people in the immediate neighborhood. Today, hundreds of volunteers take part in this annual tradition to help provide and serve a hot, sit-down feast to over 300 individuals. This free annual event occurs on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day and is open to all in the community.

Every year, St. Philip’s offers Christmas Store participants the opportunity to make holiday gift selections from new graciously donated items. Generous volunteers staff the Christmas Store, assisting with shopping, wrapping, and transporting gifts. The Christmas Store serves approximately 200 families each year.

We invite you to be part of both of these wonderful holiday traditions.
BINGO, BBQ, and the BLUES
Event Chair, Martha Johnston, and her dynamic committee have been hard at work organizing a fun-filled inaugural fundraiser for FOSP highlighted by bingo, barbecue by Eddie Deen’s Ranch, and live blues music. Plans were well underway with special guest emcee Laura Harris, of NBC5, and Nashville blues musician Sam Johnston set to perform and plenty of exciting raffle and bingo prizes, along with celebrity Bingo callers. The event was initially rescheduled for September. Out of an abundance of caution, however, the event will be held in 2021. Stay tuned – https://www.stphilips1600.org/get-involved/fosp.cfm
OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTINUE HELPING...

Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry is in need of plastic grocery bags. To donate, please drop off your bags at our pantry on Monday 8am-12 pm or Tuesday 1pm-4pm. 
 
Tutors are needed to work with small groups now and throughout the summer. To volunteer, email Ramona Bailey.
 
The Philanthropy office seeks volunteers to make “thank you” calls and send notes to donors . For more information, email Breanna Turnley .
 
Love to read?  Storytime volunteers are needed to either record readings from a favorite children’s book or sign up to do a Zoom storytime live with students. Email Ametria Maryland to volunteer.
MEMBERSHIP

We could not accomplish our goals without the commitment, involvement and enthusiasm of our members. In appreciation of your support, and with consideration of the economic impact of the recent health pandemic on our community, we are extending all current FOSP memberships through December 2020. Additionally, new memberships as of Spring 2020 and all renewals will be honored through December 2021. Future annual memberships will run from January through December. We are grateful to you.
COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Feel free to reach out to any board member if you are looking for more ways to get involved with FOSP:
President:  Paula Mitchell (email)
Vice President: Dee Velvin (email)
Secretary: Christy Singhania (email)
Treasurer: Annelise Pedersen (email)
Bingo, BBQ & the Blues: Martha Johnston (email)
Teacher and Staff Appreciation: Tina Stansbury (email)