FOSP MEMBER NEWS | NOVEMBER 2019
WELCOME!
We are thankful to have you as a Friend of St. Philip’s (FOSP). As we kick off our inaugural year, we are focusing our efforts in 4 main areas:
  • Teacher and Staff Appreciation; 
  • “Bingo, BBQ &the Blues” – a new FOSP event on April 23 to raise funds for out-of-classroom programs;
  • Filling volunteer shifts in Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry;
  • Meeting other volunteer needs (ongoing and periodic) for the school and community center.

You can never have too many friends! Please share this newsletter with others who would like to get involved. You can find more information and join here.
INAUGURAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING WITH MARTY TURCO! 
On October 16, Friends of St. Philip’s kicked off our inaugural year with a membership meeting at the home of Dee and Trey Velvin. Friends were inspired and entertained by guest speaker, Marty Turco, whose Stars Foundation members are sharing their time, talents, and treasures with the St. Philip’s community. Dr. Terry Flowers provided members with an update on the school and community center and invited us to become more involved.  
AUNT BETTE'S COMMUNITY PANTRY
FOSP has partnered with Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry to fill a volunteer shortage. We have committed to work the 4th Monday of every month from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. If you are available to work with FOSP on these Mondays, please click here: FOSP 4th Monday in the Pantry 

(To volunteer on a different day or time, please click here.)  
 
Bring friends! Volunteers do not need to be FOSP Members.

Schedule too busy to volunteer? The pantry always can use your help by hosting a food drive. Do you have a book club, Girl Scout troop, or Bible study that could put together a drive? Depending on the season, the pantry has items they need. Right now, low quantity items include soups, broths, and canned proteins.  
COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING FEAST - Wednesday, November 27
The Community Thanksgiving Feast, a longstanding tradition of St. Philip’s, started in the early eighties with the faculty and staff cooking dishes at home and serving a few people in the immediate neighborhood. Today, this annual tradition engages hundreds of volunteers to help provide and serve a hot sit-down meal to over 300 individuals. This year’s event is on Wednesday, November 27.  Volunteers are needed beginning on Tuesday evening and running through Wednesday afternoon. To find a shift, click here.

Desserts are needed for the Thanksgiving Feast! If you would like to donate pies (especially pecan and sweet potato), cakes, and/or cookies, please email Paula Mitchell. Items may be dropped off beginning on Tuesday, November 26 at 3:00 pm in the Snyder Gym.
TEACHER AND STAFF APPRECIATION
On October 4, all faculty and staff were treated to boxed lunches in appreciation for their hard work. In addition, birthday honorees from August, September, and October, received a special treat. FOSP aims to show our faculty and staff how much they are appreciated by providing them with 3 Birthday Lunches (October, January, and April), a Christmas Luncheon in December, and an End of Year Party in May. The next event will be the Christmas Luncheon in December. If you would like to assist with the Christmas Luncheon, or any of the events, please email Tina Stansbury for more information. 
SAVE THE DATE!
Bingo, BBQ & the Blues –April 23, 2020 
Friends of St. Philip’s is planning a night of fun, music, food, and Bingo at Eddie Deen’s Ranch in downtown Dallas to raise funds for out of classroom programs.  

Email Martha Johnston if you would like to join in the planning fun.  
DONATION OPPORTUNITIES
Items may be left at the front desk of the school. 
  • Paper and plastic bags for the food pantry 
  • Large shopping bags with handles for the Christmas store 
  • Now collecting items for the Christmas store – for the Christmas store wish list, click here.
ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
  • Assistance in the library with shelving, organizing, and checking out books – 2 hours per week, 10 am – 12, any day Monday through Friday
  • Tutors to assist with reading, writing, grammar, math (training available) – 1 hour per week, times and days are flexible
  • Assistance with the aquaponics garden – flexible times/days

If interested in any of these opportunities, please email Paula Mitchell.
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)