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Report from our Outreach Committee:
Since I have only been a member at St. Mark’s for about 10 years, I have contacted members with a longer history here and a few who have been very involved with the Outreach Committee over the years, in order to give a proper perspective on where we have been and what we are currently doing:
The Outreach Committee at St. Mark’s has been around for well over 25 years. The goal was to be involved in the community and help where needed. A few of the past organizations where we were involved include: Stop Hunger Now, Charlotte Rescue Mission, Loaves and Fishes, Habitat For Humanity and Room at the Inn. We have also spent more than 20 years fostering a relationship with Ranson Middle School. We have moved from helping with food for Thanksgiving and gifts at Christmas to sending kids to summer camp, preparing weekend back packs, and helping with Back To School night. There were Teacher Fun Days, Friday Night Pizza parties and we helped Proctor EOG testing. We had a fabulous series called Race and Reconciliation, where we partnered with the teachers and staff at Ranson.
A few years ago, the Outreach Committee helped to establish a pre school for Latino children. This was suggested, as a safe place for children to go while their parents were going to ESL classes. La Esqualita Pre School has become a tremendous success. The Outreach Committee continues to be supportive. We donate school supplies and support the large fundraising dinner for La Esqualita, taking place this year at The Rafters in February 2025.
Flyin’ Lion Ministry evolved from the Outreach Committee. Originally, this was begun as a way to help low income women become certified to work in commercial kitchens and therefore helping them find employment. Sue Bartlett had the idea of teaching women to bake pies. She started this program with the help of Linda Amidei and Malinda Bivens. After many changes in direction, a lot of very long hours and hard work, these women, as well as many others, have helped make it the huge success it is today.
Ranson Middle School remains our oldest Outreach Program. This partnership has been strained over the past few years but with a wonderful, new Principal we have been welcomed back. Before the school year started, we were asked to help serve breakfast to the teachers and staff. We had a great time and enjoyed meeting so many new people.
We were asked to help again and we provided sandwiches and a salad bar for the staff and teachers, as they got ready for their Back To School Night. We are providing Uniform shirts and composition notebooks. Our latest request from Ms. Pickard is to help supply snacks for teachers, as well as gift cards and gift cards for students. We are very thankful to be welcomed back to Ranson and look forward to helping make a difference.
We will be continuing the In-Gathering for non perishable food items before Thanksgiving and will be donating these to a local Food Bank.
We have had many new people sign up to be on the committee and/or to help when and where they can. We look forward to growing our Outreach program and to continue to serve our community.
Many blessings to you,
Lynnda
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