Back To School Drive
The Back to School Drive is held annually in late August to collect donations of school supplies for children in families that are unable to provide them for the school year. These donated items will be distributed to the children of Holy Name School in Camden and to school age children residing at The Drueding Center – a transitional housing development for young, single mothers in Philadelphia. All items are welcome, but details of specific items requested will be in the bulletin in early August. Volunteers are needed during the weekend to collect and sort donations in Pedata Hall.
Amy Nihill & Marie Tencer
back2school@stjoans.org
Blanket Drive
An annual collection held in January each year, the Blanket Drive accepts new and gently used blankets as well as cash donations, all of which are given to St. John’s Hospice in Philadelphia. St. John’s provides emergency assistance to men in the local area, and more information can be found at www.stjohnshospice.org. Volunteers are needed to gather collections after Masses on that weekend. Volunteers are also needed to help transport all donations to St. John’s.
Chris Clancy
856-988-8789
blanketdrive@stjoans.org
Undie Sunday
An annual underwear drive, with all donations going to Catholic Charities of Burlington County. All underwear must be store packaged. All sizes toddlers to adults. Teen volunteers are needed to take donations from the church foyer to the rectory garage. Service hours will be given. Please call in advance if interested.
Jeannette McFarlane
undiesunday@stjoans.org
Helping Hands Christmas Fund
The Family To Family Christmas project gives needed assistance to families that are unable to provide for themselves during the Christmas season. Complete confidentiality is observed to maintain the dignity and privacy of the recipients. Although called “Family to Family”, contributors may be individuals, families or any school, parish, employer, or other civic group. Contributors are matched to recipients based on ability to help, and no one will be asked to help beyond their means. Recipient-requested items often include holiday gifts, food certificates, store gift certificates and/or monetary donations for rent or utilities.
St. Nicholas Toy Drive
Inspired by the generous spirit of St. Nicholas, St. Joan of Arc parishioners have donated Christmas gifts to children served by Mt. Carmel Guild in Trenton for many years. Parishioners (a. k. a. disciples!) are invited to donate new and unwrapped toys for children from infancy to 12 years old, who would not otherwise receive presents due to their families’ social and economic circumstances. For gift suggestions, please visit Mt. Carmel Guild’s website at http://mtcarmelguild.org/christmas.
Our painting of St. Nicholas is set up in the church foyer to oversee the drive. Parishioners may take a small reminder of their intention to participate from the basket near St. Nicholas. The donated toys may be placed there or at any of the entrances to the church. Anyone moved by the Holy Spirit and has a few extra minutes is invited to help transfer the gifts to a storage area in Pedata Hall after weekend masses in December.
Volunteers from Mount Carmel Guild will travel to St. Joan’s to bring all the toys to the Guild at the end of the drive. Our toy drive is one tangible way in which we as a community of disciples can express love in Christ for the children and their families.
Look for details about the St. Nicholas Toy Drive in the parish bulletin and on the website after Thanksgiving Day.