Helping Hands
Whether it’s making items, raising money or giving time, we have found creative ways to assist nonprofit organizations connected to our campuses. In what ways do you help others?
Project Night Night
Staff, sisters and friends of Notre Dame of Dallas used their “helping hands” to prepare 30 Project Night Night bags for children in homeless shelters. Each tote bag contains a blanket, a stuffed animal and a book to help children feel secure, cozy and ready to learn. Inspired by the late Linda Lynch, a former staff member in community engagement, the staff chose this outreach project because it was a perfect way to live Blessed Theresa’s charism by responding to urgent needs of women and the poor. The staff of Notre Dame of Dallas has participated in this project since 2011.
How can you help someone in a homeless shelter?
Pedal Past Poverty
In March, 480 people on stationary bikes pedaled their way for a great cause during the second annual Pedal Past Poverty event. Forty-eight teams of 10 bikers each from the Mankato, Minnesota, area collected pledges to raise more than $70,000 for Partners for Affordable Housing, which operates two homeless shelters in Mankato – the Welcome Inn and the Theresa House. Approximately $18,000 of the total came from the sisters and staff from the Our Lady of Good Counsel campus. These volunteers used their “helping hands and feet”!
Each biker was to raise a minimum of $100. One team of employees raised their $1,000 by selling homemade jam, pickles, candy, cinnamon rolls and salsa. Another bikers raised his quota by hosting an all-you-can-eat fish fry with fish he caught. Sisters who weren’t able to bike showed their support by raising more than $3,000.
Team members, ranging from 8 to 90 years old, each rode stationary bikes for a 20-minute stint, pedaling to upbeat music. They were encouraged by cheering team members waving towels to cool them off. SSND had five teams (53 bicyclists) and 15 volunteers. Our team names were Hill’s Angels, Holy Spokes, Women With Spirit, Blazin’ Kitchen Crew and Cycling Saints.
What creative ways have you raised money for a nonprofit organization?
A Morning of Service
In June, more than 20 province staff members and Theresa Center supervisors from the Sancta Maria in Ripa campus used their “helping hands” by participating in various service projects in St. Louis. They returned to campus for lunch and sharing. This has become an annual event for the sister, associate and lay staff on campus.
• sorted food and clothing at St. Augustine Wellston Center
• delivered Meals on Wheels through the South County Senior Center
• marked and packed canned foods at Feed My People
• weeded gardens and played with children at Lemay Child and Family Center
• organized donations at the St. Louis Teachers’ Recycle Center
• tended a garden for Jefferson Barracks County Park
• sorted baby clothes at H.E.R.O.E.S. Care in Fenton
If you took a morning to volunteer somewhere, what nonprofit organization would you help?
See photos on our Facebook page.
ConKerr Cancer
Sister Pat Lange uses her “helping hands” to sew pillowcases for kids with serious illnesses, a project of ConKerr Cancer. The St. Louis Chapter takes 400-450 pillowcases a month to three children’s hospitals – Cardinal Glennon, Children’s and Mercy. She was connected to this project through St. Joseph’s Parish in Manchester, Missouri.
ConKerr Cancer began in 2002 when Cindy Kerr began making colorful pillowcases for her son Ryan, who was hospitalized for long periods of time. They were so loved by Ryan that Cindy and friends began making them for other sick children.
What types of items could you make that would bring a smile to others?