Day 236: Project Mexico

Hi all,


I was going to run this morning with Back on My Feet, but since I woke up with a fever, I decided I'd try and catch up on sleep. So, instead I bought a t-shirt benefitting a Loyola Immersion Program called "Project Mexico (more affectionately known as PMEX). PMEX is an international immersion program that takes place in the Mexicali/San Diego border region for 10 days in early January. The trip to Mexico follows after a semester of student organized preparation, education, team building and fundraising. While on the trip, participants are involved in community directed projects. They also engage in cultural and social activities and education programs that address topics such as immigration, the environment, human rights and political and economic issues. The program also emphasizes personal reflection on the Mexico experience and its impact on one's personal and spiritual development. My roommate Sam was accepted into the program (as one of two sophomores), and the trip is basically all funded by donations and an auction (held tomorrow), so I knew they could use the money! The trip costs thousands and thousands of dollars, and it would be such a shame of they couldn't raise enough money! The shirts were white and long sleeved, and had the Loyola Greyhound colored in with the Mexican flag design, as well as the "Project Mexico 2012" name spread across the center. It's quite comfortable, and I'm glad I was able to support an amazing friend and a good cause. 

Day 235: Donation to the Food Pantry

This weekend, I noticed in the Walgreens ad that there were a lot of everyday food items on sale that have been on the suggested list for the Food Pantry; so, off I went to Walgreens with my coupons. All the items that I was interested in, were available. Purchased them all and came back home satisfied. Of course, Buppa had to take a photo, so now they are already to be delivered before the day is over. The St. Jude people always make a delivery to Sacred Heart on Wednesdays, so when I see them gathering the different foods tomorrow, I will be happy to know that we contributed.

Day 234: Counting the Money

Here we are in November and it is my group to count the church collection. This weekend, there were two collections, so we had lots of counting to do. Five in our group showed up ready to work and we worked pretty quickly. The total of the collections was 3513.00------good numbers for me if I were a lottery player---the year and day of my birth! As always, some people folded their bills up into different shapes and the same usual 4or 5 came with tape or stickers adding to the already sealed envelope. We got to talking about the different areas like the churches in Florida that get 15,000.00 and more in their collections and wondered how long it would take them to total their monies----much longer I'm sure. At any rate, it always a good feeling to know that we volunteered to help our church community.

Day 233: Crafts For The Church Bazaar

 Hello! It is Sophia. Well, I figured out what craft I would make to donate to our St. Theresa Bazaar! (The bazaar is a profitable event for our church where home-made, bought, or like new items are donated to be sold in a fair type event in the church.) I made votive candle holders by decorating glass goblets with glitter glue and gems. We went to Jo-Ann fabrics and we got the materials yesterday and I was so eager to make them, I got half of them done yesterday! With some trial and error, I figured out some good designs that were Christmas colors, or just pretty!! I put some Christmas trees, lines, holly, and other decorations. I hope they all sell and I might even keep one for myself! Can't wait to attend the baazarr!!

Day 232: Boy Scout Food Drive in Sherborn

Each year, a very devoted group of local Boy Scouts organize a very important service project, a November Food drive to assist local food pantries stay stocked for the holiday season.  The scouts make it quite simple to contribute.  They are driven around town by dedicated parents a week ahead of the scheduled pick up date (today) and drop of empty plastic bags, requesting that neighbors fill the bag and leave it on their doorstep for pick up this morning.  And then those terrific parents will drive all around town again with the boys to collect all the bags and bring them to the Sherborn Fire Station for sorting and delivery.  What's especially nice about this Food Drive is that almost every household in town participates!  And why not?  In our house, there's always a place for another at our table and always an extra few cans in the pantry for someone who needs it.

Day 231: Great American Smokeout

Tonight's event for the blog had an unexpected change of plans! The Relay for Life and Colleges Against Cancer Committee was to host a "Great American Smokeout," an anti-smoking campaign with a bonfire to represent the "Smokeout." Since there was such high winds, our bonfire permit was revoked at the last minute...but we still had all of the supplies to make s'mores, which was the biggest appeal of our event! I suggested that we make them in one of our ovens (which was a slow process...but at least we still had our s'mores!) We also handed out free hot chocolate and sold anti-smoking t-shirts for $5...and of course all of the money went to the American Cancer Society. The purpose of our event was not only to promote awareness about smoking related cancers, but we also made a video petition to send to Congress about increasing taxes on smokeless tobacco. Pennsylvania is currently the only state without this tax!

Since it was so cold outside, our expected 150 attendees ended up only being about 15. But it was still a fun time with the committee, and a couple of my roommates and friends stopped by for some nice hot chocolate and s'mores. I don't think we raised a lot of money, but we encourage many students who stopped/walked by to register for Relay for Life in the spring!

Day 230: Supporting St. Jude's School in honor of Ruth

Yesterday was as beautiful as a sad day can get.  Ruth's funeral at St. Jude's Church was a remarkable tribute that celebrated her commitment to faith,  family, friends and community. It was suggested that, in leui of flowers, donations to be made to St. Jude School, in Ruth's memory.  Today, we were happy to support the Rinck/Roche alma mater by contributing to the fund established in Ruth's name.

http://www.saintjudewaltham.com/