Off to College with EECM

Written by: Kate Snyder, Development and Donor Communications Coordinator

Fall is officially here and kids across the country are back in school. I'm thrilled to report that East End Cooperative Ministry's annual Off to College Supply Drive was a HUGE success. Thanks to all participating congregations!

Thanks to the generosity of members from 14 local congregations, we were able to provide 16 EECM students with the essentials of dorm life as they headed for the halls of higher learning. Many of our students are first-generation college attendees and we are so proud of them!

Every year, our supporting congregations put together these Off to College Kits that contain everything from sheets and towels to microwave popcorn and shower shoes. We provide a list of the basics, but often times our congregations get creative and add little "extras" and personal touches to their kits.

Clever ideas from this year included:

Barnes and Noble gift cards (which can be used at many college book stores)

Rolls of quarters

Handmade good-luck cards

Under-bed storage boxes

Pop-up laundry hampers

A 13 piece Dorm-In-A-Bag set (which included bedding, towels, a pillow and a mesh laundry bag)

Portable flash drives

Dry erase boards for dorm doors

McDonalds gift cards

Congregations who participated in the Off to College Drive this year included:

Calvary Episcopal Church ~ Church of the Ascension ~ East Liberty Presbyterian Church ~ Eastminster Presbyterian Church ~ First United Methodist Church Youth Group ~ First Unitarian Church ~ Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church ~ Religious Society of Friends ~ Rodef Shalom Congregation ~ Sacred Heart Women’s Guild ~ Sixth Presbyterian Church ~ Temple Sinai Brotherhood & Sisterhood ~ Third Presbyterian Church ~ Tree of Life Congregation

MANY THANKS!

Jamie and Vanessa's Birthday Give!

Written by: Kate Snyder, Development and Donor Communications Coordinator

Birthdays are great -- it's the one day of the year that's all about you. What's not to love? But this year, several friends of EECM decided to make their birthdays about something bigger than themselves. They decided to use their special day to make a difference in the community.

Vanessa and Jamie were both celebrating milestone years in August -- she was turning thirty and he was turning forty. Both friends are active members of one of EECM's supporting congregations and have been involved with EECM for years, through volunteering and participation in other EECM activities with their congregation.

On August 15th, they hosted a joint birthday party with sixty of their friends and relatives. Rather than asking for birthday gifts, they encouragd guests to make a donation to EECM.

Thanks to their thoughtfulness, their birthday festivities were also cause for celebration here at EECM!

Volunteer Voices: Meals on Wheels

One of our regular Meals on Wheels volunteers has agreed to periodically share some of her experiences, providing a "behind the scenes" look at one of our programs.

Written by: Libby, EECM Volunteer

Most Fridays I drive Meals on Wheels, route #2. When I signed up I thought I’d be the visitor who took the food to the door, exchanged pleasantries, brightened a home-bound’s day. It turned out that this ministry needed a driver instead. Someone organized, dependable, willing to pay gas. I am that.

Much to my surprise, my “ministry” found me.

Many of the visitors who ride with me are recovering alcohol or drug addicts doing community service. It’s not just what happens at each door, it’s also what happens in the car that’s important. Sharing space, sharing thoughts, learning from each other.

I carry the words of one of my visitors with me. “I just take it one day at a time.”