THANKSGIVING COMMUNITY MEAL
The Avon Lake Ministerial Association will be hosting a Thanksgiving Day Meal, Thursday, November 27th from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm at St. Joseph Parish Hall, 32929 Lake Road in Avon Lake. Anyone who finds themselves alone on Thanksgiving or cannot prepare a meal for themselves is invited to attend. There is no cost, but donations will be accepted at the door for those who wish to make a contribution. Reservations are not required, but are appreciated for planning purposes. Please let us know if you plan on attending by November 24th. Anyone wishing to donate a food item can pick up a card at the church entrance describing a needed item. Anyone wanting to volunteer can find out more on the homepage of www.St.JosephAvonLake.org. Registrations are being accepted online at StJosephAvonLake.org, or at the following locations: Busch Funeral Home, 163 Avon Belden Road, Avon Lake, Community Resource Services (CRS), 33501-L Lake Road, Avon Lake, or St. Joseph Parish. If you have any questions, or require additional information, please contact John Shook at 440.258.5685 or email Paola Shook at [email protected].
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CHARITY BALL NEWS
In honor of all of our community partners, we are excited to announce that the theme of this year's Charity Ball is "You Are the Key to Our Heart."
On Saturday, January 31, 2015, we will showcase the ways in which CRS has made a difference in the lives of so many, as well as pay tribute to the many volunteers, organizations and businesses that have been the KEY to our success! We hope you will join us for this highly anticipated event to show your support for our neighbors in need.
Here's how you can get involved:
* Become a corporate sponsor
* Donate an item to our silent auction
* Purchase an ad in the program book
* Purchase tickets and attend the Charity Ball (invitations will be mailed in December.)
The Charity Ball is our biggest fundraiser, and we've set our goals high for this year's event. In 2014, we raised over $75,000, with almost 350 guests in attendance. You won't want to miss this special event featuring a sit-down dinner, open bar, dancing, raffles, live and silent auctions and many other ways to support CRS!
With your help, we can unlock the door to another record-breaking year!
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ANNUAL FUND CAMPAIGN
It's that time of year again....time to consider a gift to the CRS Annual Fund.
The campaign is underway, and you should have received information in the mail about how to make a donation to support our on-going programs. On-line donations are also accepted, and can be made through our website at www.aalcrs.org. All money raised stays right here in your community to help local families in need. For more information, please contact Susan Poole at 933-5639 ext. 202. Thank you!
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EMPTY BOWLS BY THE LAKE
Thank you to Laura Kirchner and her entire team at Empty Bowls by the Lake for their on-going support of CRS. They presented us with a check for $3,200 this month, part of the proceeds from their 3rd annual fundraiser to help raise money and awareness in the fight to end hunger.
The mission of Empty Bowls is to create positive and lasting change through the arts, education, and projects that build community. We are blessed to be part of this project, and truly grateful for their assistance in helping us fulfill our mission here at CRS.
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SCOUTING FOR FOOD
Scouting for Food was a success this year! Thank you to leader Rhonda Kimmell and all participating Avon Lake Girl Scout troops for collecting 3,661 pounds of food (or the equivalent of $6,077.26) during their annual food drive for CRS on Saturday, Oct. 25th.
Additional thanks go out to everyone who took the time to place their donations out for collection, and for the team of volunteers who helped sort the cans the following week. What a wonderful way to replenish our pantry shelves right before the holiday season!
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STEP RIGHT UP...GET YOUR CLEVELAND POPS ORCHESTRA TICKETS HERE!
Our friends from the Avon/Avon Lake Rotary have presented us with an exciting opportunity! By purchasing your tickets to their annual holiday concert through CRS, you can support your neighbors in need at the same time.
Mark your calendars for this very special holiday tradition:
The Cleveland Pops Orchestra, under the direction of Carl Topilow, presents
"Rocking Around the Christmas Tree" with the Avon Lake High School Chorale
Saturday, December 13, 2014
7:30 pm
Avon Lake High School
Avon High School Chamber Orchestra pre-concert will be from 6:45 pm to 7:15 pm.
Advance adult tickets are $30 each, and children 13 and under are $15 each. For every ticket purchased through CRS, a portion will be donated back to our organization.
You may stop by our office to purchase tickets during normal business hours (Mon. thru Fri., 10 am to 2 pm), or call the office at 933-5639 to make other arrangements.
Treat yourself to a festive evening of holiday music, and show your support for your local organizations!
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CHRISTMAS AT CRS
We are pleased with the positive feedback we have received regarding the changes to our holiday programs this year! Each of these programs is donor driven and we couldn't do it without the generosity of community members, groups, churches, and businesses. There is still time to get involved in a number of ways.
Our Santa's Workshop has provided a wonderful Christmas for our CRS families and permitted us to keep the number of gifts for each child more equitable. Mom and/or Dad will be able to choose three things (i.e. a coat, a toy or wish list item, and pajamas) for each child in their family. Our Santa's Closet will be stocked from items donated through toy drives, coat drives, and individual donors.
We are also hoping to provide a Family Basket to each family in an effort to provide families with a basket of items they can use (e.g. Cleaning Basket or Personal Hygiene Basket) or would enjoy (e.g. Family Game Night Basket or Kitchen Basket). We want to expand this program and provide more useful items rather than more "stuff." These baskets are such a treat to families in need and more in line with the mission of CRS to provide basic needs assistance.
We are still looking for donations! You can find an informational list of ideas and items we are seeking for our Santa's Workshop, Family Baskets, and other holiday programs on our website -- aalcrs.org. If you have any questions regarding Christmas, or would like to know what we need most, please call Melissa at the CRS office. Our office hours are weekdays from 10 AM to 2 PM and our phone number is 933-5639.
All donations for Christmas should be made by Monday, December 15th to be ready in time for Santa's Workshop. It is always helpful when we know what you would like to donate, so please call in advance. We will also make arrangements for you to drop off your donation at our Christmas location at your convenience.
Thank you for your generous support and best wishes for a wonderful holiday season!
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CALLING ALL BELL RINGERS
CRS will once again be partnering with the Salvation Army to ring the bell and staff the Salvation Army kettles this holiday season.
We are looking for volunteers to help us Monday through Saturday at Giant Eagle in Avon Lake, and Thursday through Saturday at Walmart in Avon. This is a great volunteer opportunity for clubs, organizations or families looking for community service hours.
Please click on the links below to sign up:
Giant Eagle: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0B4AAAAA22A75-giant2
Walmart: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0B4AAAAA22A75-walmart2
If you have any questions, please call Kris Greene, at 933-5639 or email her at [email protected].
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HELPING YOUR COMMUNITY THIS THANKSGIVING
Our friends at Sissons Flowers are offering a special way to give back this month by graciously hosting a food drive at their store for us. With each donation of five non-perishable items, you will receive a $5.00 Sissons Gift Certificate (limit of 2 gift certificates per customer).
Sissons Flowers is located at 716 Avon Belden Road in Avon Lake. Give them a call at 933-3253 or visit their website at www.SissonsFlowers.com.On behalf of the clients we serve at CRS, thank you Sissons for helping us keep our pantry shelves well-stocked. We're very thankful for your generosity and support!
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COMMUNITY LUNCH BUNCH
Avon Lake Presbyterian Church invites you to a Free Community "Lunch Bunch" on the third Thursday of each month. This month it will be held on November 20th from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Let them treat you to a homemade lunch!
Everyone is welcome and please feel free to bring a friend. The church is located at 32340 Electric Blvd. (Near Jaycox). No need for registration. For more information, call the church office at 933-6240.
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COMMUNITY DONATIONS
CRS has truly been blessed this month with many donations of school supplies, seasonal items and non-perishable items for our food pantry.
Thank you to the following businesses and organizations: Another 4-H Club, the piano students of Susan Mealey, Eastview Elementary School, Ladies of the Lake at Avenbury Lakes, the Avon Lake Community Garden, Avon Lake High School Girls Soccer Team, Market Day, Mid Century Masonic Lodge #725, French Creek YMCA, Avon Lake High School Special Education Students, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Additional thanks to Noah Lendel, and his entire family, for hosting a Halloween party to benefit CRS. They collected toiletries at the party, and generously donated 350 different personal hygiene items valued at almost $300.00.
This is in addition to the many individuals who bring donations to the CRS office on a daily basis. We are so very grateful for all of the donations that help keep our food pantry well stocked and that help us continue our mission of People Helping People!
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