Posts Tagged ‘fundraisers’

It’s hard to feel useful in the face of the unspeakable tragedy in Haiti, but several North County residents have stepped forward to do what they can. On Saturday, January 30, the Savoy in Ferguson will be hosting NoCo for Haiti, a benefit concert featuring music from at least five popular local performers, including Javier Mendoza and The Skyline Band.

Co-sponsored by NOCO, this family-friendly event will also have delicious snacks, auction items, dancing and a cash bar. Admission is whatever goodwill offering you choose to give, so please be generous! Proceeds will benefit the Doctors Without Borders Haiti Fund.

January 30 from 4pm-? at The Savoy, 119 S. Florissant Rd, 63135. For more info, call Chuck Henson at (314) 565-4829.

If you can’t make the concert, perhaps you can help in another way. Ferguson resident Stefannie Wheat (a dear friend of mine) has organized a donation drive for items desperately needed by earthquake victims, with all donations going directly to a Haitian family. Stefannie’s husband works with a Haitian woman named Marie, whose family members survived the earthquake but are now in urgent need of various everyday items.

Requested donations include: adult and children’s clothing (good condition, any size), hygiene items (toothpaste, sanitary products, hand sanitizer, etc), medical items (aspirin, band-aids, bandages, etc) and canned food. Money, of course, is also needed.

Stefannie will be accepting donations at her home and delivering them personally to Marie, who will ship them to her family in Haiti. If you can contribute anything, please drop off items at 403 Harrison in Ferguson (on the front porch if no one is home). Donations will be accepted through Friday, January 29. For more info, call Stefannie at (314) 482-0619.

Thank you!!

Unless an alternate plan can be adopted by December 14, Blessed Teresa grade school in Ferguson will likely be closed.

It’s tough to be a Catholic in North County. Over the past 20 years, the St. Louis Archdiocese has closed or consolidated around thirty North County parishes, striking a brutal blow to many local neighborhoods and playing a substantial role in their decline.

In 2005, it was four Ferguson-area parishes on the chopping block: Good Shepherd, St. Bartholomew, St. Sebastian and Sts. John and James, which had served the community since 1882. Ultimately, all four were consolidated into the new Blessed Teresa of Calcutta parish, with church services held at the old Good Shepherd and classrooms located at the old John & James.

But today, even that arrangement is in jeopardy. Facing declining enrollment and escalating costs, BTC’s pastor, Rev. Robert Rosebrough, has announced plans to close the school unless parish leaders can come up with an alternate plan and lots of money by December 14th.

Blessed Teresa serves a diverse group of students from throughout the Ferguson area.

Parish leaders have indeed stepped up, raising more than $170,000 in just two weeks. They’re also exploring ways to cut costs and increase enrollment, and they’ve set an ambitious fundraising goal of $1 million – an amount that could fund the school for two years. They’re asking everyone with a vested interest in quality private education in North County to please contribute to their “We Can Make a Difference” campaign.

If you’re from Ferguson, I don’t need to explain how devastating it would be to lose BTC school. It has played a vital role in our city for 96 years. If you’re not from Ferguson, just know that an incredibly dedicated group of parents and parishioners has worked so hard to keep this parish up and running. Some have devoted 5+ years to this effort, and it would be wonderful to see their commitment finally pay off.

Ferguson needs a good private grade school if it’s to remain a viable community. And I say that as someone with no kids of my own. To me, the irony in this Blessed Teresa issue is that we’re talking about closing a school named after a woman who devoted her life to serving the poor, in a place where countless poor children could greatly benefit from the school’s services. BTC school is also vitally important to retaining middle-class families in the area.

If you can support the good folks of Blessed Teresa with a financial contribution or a long-term pledge by December 14, it would be greatly appreciated. And please note, should Father Rosebrough decide to close the school, the parish will NOT receive any of the funds raised. All money from the “We Can Make a Difference” campaign is tagged specifically for school funding, and without a school, it will be returned to donors.

Donations can be sent to: BTC “We Can Make a Difference,” 1050 Smith Ave, St. Louis, MO 63135, or donate online. Thank you for your help!

Update, 12/8: The Post-Dispatch has picked up on the Blessed Teresa story, obtaining an official statement from Father Rosebrough and the Archdiocese. See the story here.

Two delicious meals, two great NoCo fundraisers. November 6: fried chicken, November 7: sausage & kraut

On a chilly fall day, there are few things more wonderful than old-fashioned comfort food. Especially when that food is being cooked for a very good cause.

Mariya Powers

On Friday, November 6th, the Ferguson Swim Team is hosting one of two tasty fundraisers that will take place in Ferguson that weekend. Its Fried Chicken Dinner is a benefit for Mariya Powers, a 12-year-old Ferguson girl who recently suffered severe spinal injuries in an accident.

The dinner, which takes place at the Blessed Theresa Parish Center at 1050 Smith, will help Mariya’s family cover the cost of mounting medical bills and accessibility modifications to their home. You get fresh fried chicken and veggies in individual plates or family portions, plus homemade desserts. Eat in or carry out. 4-7pm.

The following day, Saturday, November 7th, it’s time once again for the Wurstmarkt at Immanuel Church of Christ!

I lived here for years until I finally discovered this fabulous Ferguson tradition. I used to drive by the signs and think, “What the heck is a Wurstmarkt??” Now I know.

It’s a once-a-year opportunity to gorge on some of the best German sausage you will ever eat. Immanuel hosts the fundraising event every fall, serving plate after plate of fresh sausage, sauerkraut, homemade applesauce and delicious veggies, and there is always a huge crowd.

I recommend going early to avoid long lines and get the best selection of homemade pie. Noon – 7:30pm. Eat in or carry out.

By the way, if you’d like to help the church ladies whip up crazy loads of fresh applesauce on November 2 & 3, call Jean Klasing at (314) 355-6487. It’s a sight to see.