March Mission Outreach Team Meeting

The Mission Outreach Team met on Thursday Mar. 14, 2019. The team packed 38 snack bags for distribution to the school bus children on Friday Mar. 15, 2019.

A thank-you letter was received from Big Brothers Big Sisters for our donation of $500, which came from your generous green envelope donations.

A summary of the MOC activities since the last meeting were discussed.

We will continue to make an announcement at the beginning of each month to remind the congregation of our food pantry and toiletries programs.

Currently, Sharon Berger does not need volunteers for the Zion’s community meal. She will let us know when we are needed.

The snack bag inventory list was reviewed. It appears we will have enough snacks for the April and May distribution, but we will need donations of fresh fruit for the April and May snack distribution. The snack bags for the April 12^th distribution will be packed on Thursday April 11^th at 6:30pm. The snack bags for the May 17^th distribution will be packed on Thursday May 16^th at 6:30pm.

A new date for The Hoops for Hope fundraiser event, which support the Family Promise program, has yet to be determined. Donations for Zion’s basket for the raffle can be given to Nancy.

Upcoming events

March

Daffodils will be purchased from the American Cancer Society on Tuesday March 19^th and distributed to Zion’s shut-ins. Joann will pick up the daffodils and separate them into bunches. Volunteers who were given the names of the shut-ins for the distribution are to pick-up the daffodil bunches at Joann’s home.

Bowl for Kid’s Sake is scheduled for Saturday March 30^th at the Fritz Bowling Lanes. This fundraiser supports the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. There are two teams to date. Nancy will appeal to the congregation and Sunday school classes in an attempt to rally more bowling teams.

The One Great Hour of Sharing campaign is scheduled for Sunday March 31^st.   The envelopes and literature have been distributed to the congregation, and collection boxes have been given to the Sunday school classes.

May

The team is planning a Saturday morning yoga class followed by a light brunch. Nancy will contact the yoga instructor we had at last year’s event, to determine the date for this year’s event.

June

Chili Cook-off

The team will be sponsoring a chili cook-off on Sunday June 9^th in the dining room following the 10:30 am service. This fundraiser will support the Guatemala Healing Hands Foundation mission work. The entry fee for the contestants will be $5. The chili makers will need to fill out a registration form no later than one week prior to the event. The participation fee to taste the chili and vote for your favorite will be $3. Each participant will receive 1 ticket with which to vote. There will be prizes for the 1^st and 2^nd place contestants. For those who do not want to taste the chili, but still want to participate in the fun, we will have hot dogs for sale, and free desserts and beverages. See Cheryl’s challenge to the congregation.

The Mission Outreach team will not meet in April. The next meeting will be held on Thursday May 16^th at 7pm. These meetings are open to everyone at Zion. Please feel free to stop in to offer you ideas, help or support!

Additional information for bulletin or visitor

Join us for a chili cook-off on Sunday June 9^th in the dining room following the 10:30 am service! This fundraiser will support the Guatemala Healing Hands Foundation mission work. The entry fee for the contestants will be $5. The chili makers will need to fill out a registration form no later than one week prior to the event. The participation fee to taste the chili and vote for your favorite will be $3. Each participant will receive 1 ticket with which to vote. There will be prizes for the 1^st and 2^nd place contestants. For those who do not want to taste the chili, but still want to participate in the fun, we will have hot dogs for sale, and free desserts and beverages!

Guatemala Healing Hands Foundation

The group of volunteers is comprised of doctors, surgeons, nurses, and therapists. The entire team travels to Chichoy Alto a small indigenous village of about 900 people in the highlands of the Patzun, Chimaltenango (2.5 hour drive from Guatemala City) where they work with the local community to develop and enhance safety and quality of life. Activities have included the construction of improved sanitation facilities, distribution of shoes and school supplies, construction of ONIL stoves, the development of a new school building, and more!

The team participates in an extensive screening day. Children from across the country arrive at The Moore Pediatric Surgery Center where the team of volunteers spends a full day evaluating cases for surgery, therapy, and medical guidance. By the end of the day, the team will have scheduled five full days of surgery and therapy.

During the five days of surgery and therapy the team operates in facilities provided to us by The Moore Pediatric Surgery Center. In addition, therapists visit and work in local clinics and hospitals around Guatemala City, including: The Pediatric Burn Clinic located at the Roosevelt Hospital, The Hospital Infectologia y Rehabilitacion, Hospital General de Accidentes, and San Sebastian Hospital.