Helping
Hands Committee
The
Helping Hands Committee is an umbrella group which encourages the
formation of and supports a wide variety of projects aimed at helping
parish members and others in need in the Murrysville/Export/Delmont
area. These are generally "hands-on" volunteer labor projects.
It presents an opportunity for parishioners to initiate and/or contribute
to projects they are passionate about. In the spirit of Mother Teresa,
they can provide significant help for those experiencing difficult
times.
Ideas
for new projects and volunteers for current ones are always welcome.
Have an idea for a new project? Email
us!
Existing
Projects:
St.
Anne's Nursing Home Volunteers
Once a month, volunteers
provide activities for the residents of St. Anne's Nursing Home including
Bingo, parties, music/singing. Volunteers are also needed to take
residents to daily mass. Visits take place on the the second Thursday
of the month from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Prior to becoming a volunteer you
must go through a brief orientation.
If you would like to participate in a rewarding experience every month
and work with the elderly, please join us! We are always in need of
addititional volunteers. If you are interested, please contact Sister
Lyn Dwyer or Mary Rose Martinelli.
Meals
for Convalescing Parishioners and Expectant Mothers
We have a
wonderful list of volunteers that are willing to provide and deliver
meals for those who are recovering from a serious illness, operation,
or for new moms that just can't get a meal prepared while recovering
from delivery. Anyone willing to volunteer to cook or deliver meals
can contact Janet Castelli
or Bonnie Babik.
Food Bank
Mother Teresa Food Bank efforts involve
volunteering four to five times per year, from 9 to 12, to repack
the food items in smaller boxes. These are then distributed to the
local pantries, including Mother of Sorrows. If you are interested
in volunteering in this worthwhile effort, please contact: Fred
Frank. More information and photos
here!
Hunger Garden
Hunger Garden Chair Person Needed!
If you enjoy the great outdoors, if the smell of the earth
is like perfume to you. If you like getting your hands dirty in rich
soil and seeing the "fruits" of your planting labor. Then
have we got a chairperson post for you!!
The Hunger Garden committee works with volunteers from across the
county to plant, weed and harvest food which is then given to the
Westmoreland County Food Bank. This food is then distributed at the
food bank's Fresh Express Program for those in need. If you are interested
in this chairperson position, email Barbara
Taddonio.
The
Hunger Garden is located in Madison, PA, about a 40 minute drive from
Mother of Sorrows. A farmer has donated several fields of land to
grow fresh produce. Once harvested, the produce is taken to the Westmoreland
County Food Bank to be distributed via the Fresh Express program to
those in need. Community groups provide the physical labor for this
program on Mondays from 6-8 pm throughout the summer.
Thanks
to all who participated this past summer! See full
summary of the Hunger Garden's success in 2008!
Nursing
Home Pen Pals
Dedicated
volunteers send cards, notes, letters, photos, etc. to residents of
two local nursing homes. We currently have twelve residents who are
receiving mail, which truly helps to brighten their days. Please
consider helping out by contacting Lauren
Laird
Support for Our Servicemen
The
Helping Hands Committee is proud to support our United States Service
men and women fighting overseas. Contact
Judy Falcone or Kristy
Novak.
More information and photos here!
Working
with the Developmentally Challenged
This group volunteers to spend time with children
and adults with developmental disabilities. Projects to date have
revolved around Clelian Heights School and Special Olympics programs.
For more information or to get involved in specific projects in the
planning, please contact: Mary
Lynn Jacko.
Special
Olympics Volunteers Needed!
The
Westmoreland County Special Olympics Track and Field event will be
on Saturday, May 2 this year. Volunteers will meet at Latrobe Stadium
at 9:00 am, and we are usually done by 2:00 - 2:30 pm.
Volunteers are used in various roles: as "buddies" for some
of the athletes, as timers, line judges, etc.
If you would like to join us, or if you would like more details, please
email Mary Lynn Jacko.
We always have fun at this event. Last year we sent 17 volunteers
and had a great time! See 2008 photos
here!
