LCCC E-Newsletter, Vol. 22, October 2019
We should not serve the poor like they were Jesus. We should serve the poor
because they are Jesus. - Mother Teresa
November is National Family Caregiver Month
Go  HERE  to learn more about all the great support activities available to EVERYONE in Livingston County caring for someone with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia.

AND...

LCCC is offering a FREE educational program in partnership with SELCRA
Reserve your spot today (use keyword CAREGIVER)
Open to ALL caregivers regardless of disease or disability.
2019 Loaves & Fish Appeal

Livingston County Catholic Charities (LCCC) will be kicking off our annual fundraiser –  Loaves & Fish Appeal  – on November 9 & 10, 2019. We’d like to share with you how your generosity helps.

A Donation of:
  • $27.88 covers the cost of 1 hour of Volunteer Caregiver Services – average “donation” received per client is $1.16 per hr. *
  • $55.89 covers the cost of 1 hour with our Resource Advocate – average “donation” received per client is $1.91 per hr.*
  • $102.38 covers the cost of 1 session for Substance Abuse Therapy – average client payment is $56.24/session.
  • $71.81 covers the cost of 1 session of Mental Health Counseling – average client payment is $47.18/session.
  • $19.80 covers the cost of one hour per client at Be Our Guest Adult Day – average client cost share is $8.87/hour.

* Volunteer Caregiver and Resource Advocacy Programs do not charge fees for their services, but do ask for a donation if the recipient is able to.

Look for your invitation in the mail in early November to help provide critical services in our community. All money stays local and enables Livingston County Catholic Charities to continue to provide affordable, professional services to  ALL . Please prayerfully consider your donation today!

May the Lord Bless all of you! 

The Board, Staff and Clients of Livingston County Catholic Charities
November is
National Adoption Awareness Month
Forever Families are Made Here

This is Caleb on his adoption day with his new parents, Tom and Stacy. His two new older brothers are Carter and Dominic. Caleb has been in foster care, as his sign says, for 555 days before he was adopted. He was placed in this home right after being removed from his parents for substance abuse and neglect. Caleb melded right into the family. His brothers have welcomed him with open arms and are so in love with him! Caleb is obsessed with tractors, construction vehicles and anything with wheels! 

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Foster Parent join us for one of the Foster Parent Orientation held the 3rd Monday of the month at our offices in Howell.
Foster Care Bags

The Casual Quilters of Brighton gifted LCCC with 23 hand-quilted Foster Care Bags personally delivered by Carol Laske. Thank you, Carol and Friends! There are 100 in the group of quilters who describe themselves as "women who like to sew."

These bags will serve as a very special, personal way to package supplies for the children in our foster care program. They are beautifully made in a variety of fabrics. All of the fabric is donated. If you are interested in donating fabric you can contact them at email or on FACEBOOK .
THANK YOU!!!

Thank you to all community members, clients, past & present Board members and co-workers who came out to support our recent video shoot as we work to raise awareness and educate the community on the critical services that we offer to ALL regardless of age, race, religion, gender, disability and financial ability! You showed your love and made our day!!!

We look forward to sharing it later this fall. Stay tuned...

Special Ministries Goes for a Ride

S pecial Ministries, a program of Livingston County Catholic Charities, has been up to great things lately. A favorite activity in September was horseback riding at C hildren and Horses United in Movement ( CHUM ) Therapeutic Riding Inc . CHUM is a God driven, faith built, grace guided program where individuals with and without disabilities share and develop their love for horses. In this process they see ‘life lessons’ occurring in the barn, victories over challenges, hope over despair, and relationship building in trust and love.

You can follow along with all our fun activitie s on Facebook .
Volunteers make a difference...

Gary Kinneer is a retired business executive and a parishioner at St. Mary Magdalen in Brighton Township. He was recently featured in Faith Magazine. You can read the full article HERE .

"As a volunteer 'driver' for Catholic Charities, I have expanded my prayers to include all of the elderly and physically impaired people I have taken to doctor appointments, grocery shopping, and other places.  I believe that prayer has helped me to develop loving relationships with the people I transport. During my drive to pick someone up I pray they will enjoy my visit; and afterward I thank God for allowing me to bring more light into their day – and mine! "

"The service I provide is only a small part of the total support structure that clients depend on; we can also be available on special occasions. One time I was asked if I was immediately available to drive a woman to see a friend who was near death. I was, and we arrived at the assisted care facility where my client was able to talk to her friend and sit with her until she died 30 minutes later. Both the client and I believed that God was looking down on us all. I was available and God gave my client and friend time to see each other one last time.  Afterward, I thought “that’s why I am a volunteer, that’s what we are all about!”"

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a volunteer driver, friendly visitor or at Be Our Guest Adult Day or other Liv. Cty. Catholic Charities programs, please contact Katie at 517-545-5944.
Looking for ways to maximize your tax savings and charitable giving? 

Consider using your IRA.

If you are 70 1/2 yrs of age or older, you can make cash gifts from your IRA to your favorite charity or charities without having to include the IRA distribution in your taxable income. Qualified charitable distributions, also called IRA charitable rollover, allows you to direct part or all of your distribution directly to a charitable organization in an amount up to $100,000 per person per year. The amount of your charitable distribution to a charitable organization is excluded from your gross income and is not subject to taxes. Please discuss this option with your tax or financial adviser prior to making the distribution. 
CHRISTMAS BLESSING PROJECT
For Home-bound/Low Income Seniors

As we look to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus with our friends, family and church families during Christmastime, please help us remember vulnerable seniors by considering a drive for one or more of the requested items. Click here to view the list of items needed to help county seniors most in need. 

Items can be dropped off at Livingston County Catholic Charities anytime before December 5, 2019 for the annual Christmas Blessing project – a community supported project. This project brings the Love of Christ, Help & Hope to community low income and home-bound seniors by supplying a Christmas food box, hygiene items, cleaning & paper products and more!

Did you know ANYONE, person, business or club can donate items or host a drive? Call Suzi Snyder, Director of Senior Services, at 517-546-9910 for more information on how you can help.
Team B E OUR GUEST blew past its fundraising goal of $500 at the Walk for Alzheimer's on October 5, 2019. The team raised $2,282!!

Over half of the Senior Services team, other Coworkers, Board Members, spouses, children and other family me mbers came out to show support for the Alzheimer's Association. Our visibility was noteworthy! 

Thank you to Kenny Riddle for the shirts that reinforced our identity. 
35th Anniversary Salute to the Stars

This is a Salute to the Stars you will not want to miss . Entertainment will be provided by the dynamic & electrifying Denise Davis and the Motor City Sensations!

Mark your calendars to celebrate with us on March 14, 2020!
On-going Groups & Meetings at LCCC

1st Tuesday and of each month, 4:30–6:00 pm
at Be Our Guest

3rd Wednesday of each month, 4:30–6:00 pm
at Be Our Guest

Check out additional Caregiver Support Activities.

3rd Monday of each month, 5:00–7:00 pm

All are welcome and no preregistration is necessary.
Mondays 6:00–7:30 pm, Wednesdays and Fridays 10:00 am–11:30 pm
Bequests Help Provide for Our Community's Future!

Did you know that leaving a  Charitable Bequest  in your will to bestow on Livingston County Catholic Charities makes it easy to help one of your favorite charities without dipping into your current income or savings?

Contact Julie Amman or Mark Robinson at 517-545-5944 or your lawyer or financial adviser for more information.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the Foster Care Parenting Tip of the Week or the Caregiver Tip of the Week along with other great information & activities.
Click Here to Donate Locally & Give the Gift of Hope!
Livingston County Catholic Charities
2020 E. Grand River #104, Howell, MI 48843
Office Phone 517-545-5944 Be Our Guest Adult Day Phone 517-546-9910