By Jessica Able and Marnie McAllister, Record Staff
Catholic churches, schools and organizations have spent Advent helping other people prepare for Christmas through acts of service, making donations and spending time with people in need.
Among the organizations that have benefitted from these efforts are Sister Visitor Center’s Christmas Giveaway and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Santa Shop. Sister Visitor distributed gifts to more than 225 families and St. Vincent de Paul gave away gifts to more than 1,000 children this week.
St. Vincent de Paul also received a large gift this Advent with the help of DonorsResource.org and the Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy.
DonorsResource.org, which connects people who wish to donate items to area non-profit organizations, recently arranged the transfer of a mobile classroom from the Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Last summer the Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy at Churchill Downs contacted DonorsResource.org seeking assistance with finding an organization that would be able to use its mobile classroom — a converted “tumblebus.”
Linda Romine, the director of communications for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, said the bus will be used as an auxiliary classroom for the summer program held at the St. Vincent de Paul campus.
“It will allow us to more effectively manage classroom activities. The kids will be able to break into more age-specific groups,” Romine said.
Originally, funds for the mobile classroom, a customized school bus, were raised by the Church of the Epiphany, Southeast Christian Church and Kosair Charities. The bus was presented to the backside chapel in February 2010.
Christ Chapel is no longer in need of the converted “tumblebus” because of a recent addition to the chapel that will serve as a dedicated space for children, the Rev. Ken Boehm, chaplain of Christ Chapel, said.
“It was donated to us in the first place. We’re just paying it forward,” he said. “It’s only right to give to another organization that could use it.”
The transfer took place Dec. 3 at the Christ Chapel on the backside of Churchill Downs. To learn more about the organization who arranged the transfer visit DonorsResource.org.
Following is a sampling of other holiday help offered around the archdiocese that was reported to The Record.
- More than a dozen Catholic churches and organizations plus other local schools, businesses and families bought Christmas gifts for refugee families resettled in Louisville by Catholic Charities this year. Parishes that participated were St. Agnes, St. Bernard, St. Patrick, St. Martha, St. Bernadette, St. Barnabas, St. Albert the Great, Epiphany, Our Lady of Lourdes, Holy Trinity, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Margaret Mary and St. Pius X. Louisville Young Catholics also sponsored refugees for Christmas.
- Notre Dame Academy’s sixth-grade students collected more than $3,000 to buy Christmas presents for nearly 20 children in need. They spent $2,000 on Dec. 4 shopping for gifts which were donated to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Gifts from the Heart program. The remainder was donated to Kosair Children’s Hospital.
- Sacred Heart Schools kicked off the season of giving by donating food for the hungry. An estimated 10,000 food items were collected for Kentucky Harvest and Dare to Care.
In addition, Sacred Heart Schools presented an estimated 5,000 Christmas cards signed by students and faculty/staff to the American Red Cross for its annual Holiday Mail for Heroes program. The cards will be delivered to men and women serving in the military. - St. Gabriel School students collected nearly 10,000 items in a food drive the student council sponsored in November. The collection benefits the food pantry at Fern Creek/Highview United Ministries.
Some of the food was used to make 60 Thanksgiving baskets for families aided by the ministry. The remainder was delivered to the food pantry Dec. 9 and will be used to fill Christmas baskets. - Holy Spirit Church, 3345 Lexington Road, has started a program called “In His Presence Before Your Presents.” Parishioners and non-parishioners are encouraged to come to the church and pray for the people they are giving gifts to prior to their shopping. Then they take a nine-inch paper star and write the name or names of the people they are praying for. The stars are hung on a 25-foot tree which stands in the parish’s rotunda. The tree was purchased by an anonymous donor. As of Dec. 16 the tree has more than 300 stars. The tree will be lit for the first time following the 5 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve.
- Community Catholic Center’s families were scheduled to have a Christmas celebration this evening, Dec. 19, to launch the center’s 10th anniversary celebration. Sacred Heart Academy students and a group of adults who belong to a small faith-sharing group volunteered for the event.
- St. Andrew Academy students have been busy this season with a variety of service activities. Students wrote cards to members of the military and veterans to give thanks for their service. They also wrote to prisoners who are part of a prison ministry program. The school’s students also took part in a food drive with the firefighters from Pleasure Ridge Park. On Dec. 5, the school’s basketball teams, who raised money in November during a basketball jamboree, bought $1,700 worth of gifts to aid families on the Angel Tree at St. Peter the Apostle Church.
- Twelve Trinity High School students and faculty members from the school’s Green Cross club set up a “Christmas store” at Wayside Christian Mission Dec. 16. The students and faculty handed out toys and other gifts for children, which were donated by stores and church groups.
– See more at: http://www.archlou.org/2013/12/18/schools-churches-others-help-the-poor/#sthash.ZB3mCbHe.dpuf
This former “tumblebus” will be used as a mobile classroom by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. It was formerly used as an exercise “gym” for children, then was owned by the race track chaplaincy at Churchill Downs before its transfer to St. Vincent de Paul. The transfer was made possible by DonorResource.org, an online resource that connects individuals who wish to donate items to others. (Record Photo/Jessica Able) – See more at: http://www.archlou.org/2013/12/18/schools-churches-others-help-the-poor/#sthash.ZB3mCbHe.dpuf
Amy Johnson says
Hello Im Amy I have 2 beautiful kids Erica she 13 going on 14 in October and my son Jacob 11 goung on 12 in February. I am 35 im on disability I have cushing dease and I have had two strokes ! I am on section 8 Im on low income I am in need of some furniture I am moving in to my new house about mid October im in need of living room suits and a bed for my daughter and two dressers I need help its a struggle geting clothes for my kids when im paying bills and i get food stamps but bye the end of the month i still paying for food I have a mini van but it keeps breaking down so its hard to get back and forth to my doctors sometimes! Im need help for Christmas for my family ! Please help me i tryed angel tree but they can only my son so i did not do that cause i have two kids if you can help please let me know thanks Amy Johnson
Linda Romine says
I have forwarded your request, and someone will follow up with you.
kara says
Yes my name is kara, I have 3 young children and am a single mother and was wondering about help for Christmas for my babies
Linda Romine says
Please contact Donna Young at 502-301-8688; dyoung@svdplou.org about how to apply. Thank you.
Geneva kaelin says
Hi my name is Geneva I’m a single mother of two wonderful boys age 12 and 4 I’m looking for some kind of Christmas miracle anything would be appreciated I can be reached at GenevaStewart97@yahoo.com thank you
Linda Romine says
Please contact our receptionist, Marilyn Rose, for more information.
Shannon wood says
How can I get help for Christmas for my kids?
Linda Romine says
I’m so sorry for the late response. Our Santa Shop was Dec. 11th, but we had stopped taking invitations about a month prior to that. For information about next year’s Santa Shop, please contact Donna Young at 502-301-8688; dyoung@svdplou.org.
Ann kintz says
I know its late but we recently moved here from texas and have 5 girls are there any places that can help with christmas for them they are 8.6.5.3.and 11 months thanks
Linda Romine says
I’m so sorry for the late response. Our Santa Shop was Dec. 11th. For information about next year’s Santa Shop, please contact Donna Young at 502-301-8688; dyoung@svdplou.org.
Lisa Ann Draper says
Please I’m in need of some assistance with Christmas. I’m on disability and I’m raising my granddaughter she’s 8 yrs old any assistance would be so greatly appreciated, thanks Lisa & Ta’Lazia.
Linda Romine says
Hello! You can contact our front desk at (502) 584-2480. Our receptionist will help get you set-up with whatever services we may be able to provide your family.
Laura Williams says
I live in Middletown .I don’t ever ask for help. but I’m in a spot.i need help how can I get thanksgiving dinner or basket sent to me and my family ..if you can help please let me know.thank you
Linda Romine says
Hello Laura! You can contact our front desk at (502) 584-2480. Our receptionist will help get you set-up with whatever services we may be able to provide your family.
Tina says
Hey my name is Tina Cruz. I’m looking to see about getting help for my daughter. She has a 3 year old son. She has taken care of him with whatever help her family can give. I have 6 kids myself so it isnt much but whatever we can get would be greatly appreciated. She does work, but he is a big boy. Only 3 but wears a size 8 in boys right now. And clothes and shoes are not cheap. And neither is toys. Thank you for any help u can tell me or what ever.
David Sharpe says
To request food, clothing, or emergency financial assistance with rent or utility bills, contact our receptionist during weekday business hours (9:00 am – 4:00 pm) at (502) 584-2480, ext. 345. We offer referrals to many local agencies and may be able to assist you through referrals to one of our SVDP Conferences in Louisville, Central Kentucky or Southern Indiana. Please note: We do not provide financial assistance through SVDP’s offices at our downtown campus or administration building.
Elizabeth oliver says
Hi my name is Elizabth Oliver I have 4 grandchildren that I have been raising i am disabled and can not work I have been trying so hard to find help for the kids thanksgiving food and Christmas can someone help me with this the kids have been though so much and deserve something good in life
Thank you so much
elizabetholiver@twc.com
Phone 502 907 6074
David Sharpe says
To request food, clothing, or emergency financial assistance with rent or utility bills, contact our receptionist during weekday business hours (9:00 am – 4:00 pm) at (502) 584-2480, ext. 345. We offer referrals to many local agencies and may be able to assist you through referrals to one of our SVDP Conferences in Louisville, Central Kentucky or Southern Indiana. Please note: We do not provide financial assistance through SVDP’s offices at our downtown campus or administration building.
Davina Ray says
Hello! My name is Davina and I’m a single parent who need help with foods for Thanksgiving to have a wonderful dinner with my family this year. If someone have any suggestions or place I can get a Thanksgiving basket I will appreciate it. Please contact me at my email address raydavina3@gmail.com
David Sharpe says
To request food, clothing, or emergency financial assistance with rent or utility bills, contact our receptionist during weekday business hours (9:00 am – 4:00 pm) at (502) 584-2480, ext. 345. We offer referrals to many local agencies and may be able to assist you through referrals to one of our SVDP Conferences in Louisville, Central Kentucky or Southern Indiana. Please note: We do not provide financial assistance through SVDP’s offices at our downtown campus or administration building.