Do Good for the Holidays
By Maryann Spikes
I am honored to know someone, who has next to nothing, who gave one of his few pairs of socks to a bare-footed elderly woman so she could put on a pair of donated shoes. Those who have less sure do seem to give more, don’t they?
It reminds me of one of the many things Mother Teresa said: “Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the one nearest you.”
There is no shortage of ways to help…
December 3: Chemo Crew Pancake Breakfast, 8-11am (www.chemocrew.com). Purchase tickets in advance. Proceeds benefit the Chemo Crew and the free resources they provide to local cancer patients.
December 3: Artsy Folks Holiday Boutique – All are invited to the tenth annual Artsy Folks Holiday Boutique benefiting Interfaith Ministries Feed Modesto programs. As always, they will have art, handmade gifts, jewelry, books, children’s items, coffee and treats! They are still accepting vendors for this indoor/outdoor event! Call (209) 572-3117 or email elizabethgh@interfaithmodesto.org.
December 6: Neighborhood Engagement Training (Focus on Prevention)
1020 Tenth St., Modesto, Alliance Kirk Lindsey Room, 6pm-7:30pm
December 6: Faith Sector Homelessness Council (Focus on Prevention)
324 College Ave., Modesto, Emanuel Lutheran Church, 3pm-4:30pm
December 9: The Stanislaus Senior Foundation invites you to the premier Annual Holiday Fundraiser on Friday, December 9, 2016. The festive event will be at the
historic McHenry Museum, 1402 I Street, Modesto, 5:30 pm 8:00 pm and will include hearty hors d¹oeuvres, select wines, and a one-of-a-kind silent auction. The Annual Holiday Fundraiser will benefit the most frail and elderly of the older adult population in our local community. Tickets are $40.00 each and can be purchased online (www.stanislausseniorfoundation.org) or call (209) 848-2635.
December 10: The Modesto Spirit of Giving 5K Run and Walk (www.modestospiritofgiving.org) gives back to the community! The City of Modesto’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods Department’s Leisure Bucks program offers financial assistance to low-income children, seniors and individuals with disabilities. Additionally, every year the Modesto Spirit of Giving partners with a non-profit in the City of Modesto to raise money for a great cause. This year, Modesto Gospel Mission will benefit from a portion of the run/walk. Register for this race online.
December 12 (deadline): Warm for the Winter Pajama & Coat Drive. Auto & Fleet Mechanic is partnering with Inter Faith Ministries, Modesto to make sure area children are warm this winter! Please consider donating new jackets or pajamas for children sizes 5-14. You can drop them off Monday – Friday, 7:30a-5:30p at the shop between now and December 12. (SEE PIC)
December 14: Film Night: Dogtown Redemption. In partnership with Journey for Justice, Merced, the Modesto Peace/Life Center will be showing Dogtown Redemption, a 2015 Amir Soltani film about homeless recyclable collectors who scrape by, doing the best they can everyday. They will be showing the film on Wednesday, December 14th at 6:30 PM at their Center at 720 13th Street, and they welcome everyone who is interested to attend! The event is free for everyone! Please contact Joseph Homer at 2096813596 or jhomer42@gmail.com if you have any questions.
December 18 (deadline). Soroptimist Giving Tree at Vintage Faire – Come and share the Christmas Spirit at Vintage Faire Mall on the second level across from the Food Court. They started with over 2500 children on their Tree and need your support. They have volunteers at their Kiosk next to the Tree and they will help you check out a tag for one of their children. Then the fun begins when you purchase gifts specifically for that child. It’s their 31st year and this year is your chance to make a difference for a child on Christmas morning.
December 19: Happy Birthday Jesus Party. Donate gifts for all ages at Modesto Gospel Mission (1400 Yosemite Blvd.). Party starts at 12 with a meal, then gifts are given out as people finish eating. Live nativity!
December 20/21: The Salvation Army shelter is accepting donations of hats, scarves, gloves or socks for the “Not Forgotten” Homeless Persons Memorial Vigil on Dec 21st, the longest night of the year. The deadline for the warm clothing is Dec 20th. Contact susanthepoet@gmail.com to help with the 12/21 vigil.
December 23: Salvation Army’s Christmas Dinner is at 12pm at 625 I Street, Modesto. Individuals wanting to sign up for a Christmas Food Box needs to visit the office at 7th/I to pick-up a appointment sheet. At that time, individuals will be informed of the process and documents needed to apply. Call (209) 523-7577 to confirm.
Christmas Season: Volunteers interested in bell-ringing for the Salvation Army can contact Jennifer Breazeale at 522-3209. Do this as a family, group or just by yourself. You will have a great time and it is for a great cause.
Year-round: The Salvation Army Modesto needs volunteer groups to call and schedule a date to provide, prepare, and serve a dinner for 150. Dinner is served every night at the shelter.
Deva Café is hosting a coat drive and will be collecting Toys for Tots. Please call 209-572-3382 to inquire.
Modesto Rotary is collecting through their Socks Program. Please call (209) 578-9999 to inquire.
MOVE Stanislaus and Focus on Prevention are requesting feedback on gaps in transportation for those experiencing homelessness. Email all feedback to both Jeanette (FoP, fabelaj@stancounty.com) & Stacie (MOVE, staciem@movestanislaus.org).
Focus on Prevention is compiling a page of cold weather resources (like warming centers). For example, Modesto Gospel Mission opens their chapel to anyone when the temperature drops below 40 or it is raining. If you know/are anyone who provides extra help during this season, email that to Jeanette Fabela (FoP, fabelaj@stancounty.com<mailto:fabelaj@stancounty.com>). To participate in the Engagement & Outreach Team, contact Alma Torres (209) 525-6150.
Your Church! Ask your pastors how your church can be a warming center for people experiencing homelessness, or partner with 13 other congregations working with Modesto Family Promise to alternate in housing homeless families. Invite your pastor to the Focus on Prevention Faith Sector Homelessness Council on December 6, 324 College Ave., Modesto, Emanuel Lutheran Church, 3pm-4:30pm.
