Outreach Task Force News
Got Space?
The Seacoast Interfaith Hospitality Network (SIHN), the organization that assists temporarily homeless families in our area, is in need of space:
- to store furniture
- to operate a second-hand shop
Each family that leaves SIHN to live independently is helped to set up their new home. Basic supplies and furniture are given as available. The idea is that if a family is to be successful, it is important that they start with basic needs met. Frequently SIHN is offered furniture; however, they cannot take it as there is no place to store the items. We are looking for a place that could operate as a second-hand shop where furniture and other household items could be displayed. People in need (such as SIHN and Crossroads House clients, Red Cross victims of fires/floods) would be given vouchers to obtain things free. All others would buy things as one would from any second-hand shop. The proceeds would help fund SIHN. If you have any ideas of a space that might be available, please contact Helen Kruppa at 772-3387.
Children's Clothing
When you are clearing out gently used children's clothing, don't forget WIC (Women, Infants, and Children). We are desperately low on GIRL'S clothes sizes newborn to 5. Please place donations in the box in the Community Room. Questions? Please call Helen Kruppa: 772-3387
FUUSE Volunteers Help the Homeless
During the week of May 4–11, our FUUSE volunteers worked with Christ Church volunteers to staff the temporary home (at Christ Church) for 4 families. The lives of four mothers and six children, ages newborn to 11 years, were made easier due to the generosity of this community. We helped clean and set up “bedrooms,” cooked dinners, chaperoned during the evening hours, and stayed overnight in “host bedrooms.” At the end of the week when it was time for the families to move to their next church “home” we helped to put the church school space back in order.
The Seacoast Interfaith Hospitality Network (SIHN) is a national program helping families who find themselves temporarily homeless due to sudden loss of a job or home. Our partnership with Christ Church is a way for us to directly support people who are working hard to get their lives back on track. It is not too early to sign up to help. Cynthia Cary and Keith Lanigan have done so with their children, as have Pat Baker, Nancy Fellows, Amy Robinson, and Caroline Ruhm. If you want to find out what it is like to be a SIHN volunteer, talk to those who have already, with our deep gratitude, done it: Carolyn and John Berenson, Sally and Rich Coleman, Adrienne Drummey, Frank Heffron, Debby Kanner, Stephanie Marshall, Gail Nostrom, Jane Oldfield-Spearman, Donna Schlachman, Margaret Schoene, and Deb Twombly. We need 10–12 volunteers for the weeks of June 29–July 6, and August 24–31. Please contact Helen Kruppa if you have a few hours to share or can stay overnight (the airbeds are very comfortable!) Helen’s number is 772-3387 or email her at
Cell Phones for Soldiers
Two teenagers have started a program to collect old cell phones and turn them into AT&T. AT&T then donates calling minutes to soldiers with families in Iraq. This is a great way for me to support my son without supporting the war. It is about helping families stay connected in difficult times. The two teenagers were featured on Good Morning American and the web link is: cellphonesforsoldiers.com.
If you would like to help please find the Basket in the Parish Hall and drop your old cell phone in!
Got Wheels?
During the month of January, the Outreach Task Force set a goal of adding more drivers to the Transportation for Seacoast Citizens (TASC) pool of volunteer drivers from FUUSE. We have had 6 FUUSE folks become TASC volunteers after our November recruitment luncheon at which Carol Gulla, the TASC Coordinator, was our guest. Through the “GOT WHEELS?” campaign, which included some jingles posted on the walls as the congregation moved from the Sanctuary to the Parish Hall on Sundays and ended in an information poster, the Outreach Task Force hopes to bring that number up to 12 by the end of January. Since the Newsletter deadline is so early in the month, we cannot report of the success of the “GOT WHEELS?” effort. As of this writing, at least 3 more people have risen to the challenge. TASC provides rides to those who, due to age or other circumstances, cannot drive themselves around our community. While about 80% of the rides are for medical/health appointments, TASC is available to help with all the various activities that are both essential and enriching to our lives. To find out more visit www.tasc-rides.org or call Carol Gulla at 926-9026.
Got a Buddy?
If you have a friend and a couple of hours to give once a week or every couple of months, the Seacoast Interfaith Hospitality Network (SIHN) needs you two! Our church, through the Outreach Task Force, is a “partnering” church with Christ Episcopal Church which is a “host” church to families who find themselves temporarily homeless due to sudden loss of a job or other unforeseen circumstances. Through the Seacoast Interfaith Hospitality Network, religious institutions in our area take turns providing food and shelter to these families until they are on their feet again. FUUSE help is needed in several ways to assist when it is Christ Church’s turn to be the host church; the next is March 9th–16th. We need volunteers to be evening and nighttime hosts, and to cook meals. Background checks are required of hosts and there is a short orientation program. Sign on to help and you and your buddy can be partnered with an experienced host from FUUSE or Christ Church. The Stratham Community Church houses the “day center” for SIHN. Families work with professional staff to develop a plan for independence, and preschool children spend the day. Usually one or both parents are at work during the day and school age children are in school. Regardless of which church is hosting, help is always needed at the Day Center — playing with and reading to the children. Presently there are 3 families with 6 children in our local SIHN program. Please consider volunteering with your buddy. Contact Nicolle Casey (775-0980) or Patti Jancsy (650-7721) from Christ Church to learn more about how to become a FUUSE volunteer partner.
Beach Clean-up
REMINDER: The next beach clean-up will be Sunday afternoon, June 1, 1:30 pm, at Seabrook Beach.
Please call Meg Schoene at 772-3218 for further information.
Bumper Stickers!
LIVE YOUR FAITH OUT LOUD
As part of a new effort to be
more visible in our community, we now have FUUSE Bumper Stickers available
for those who are comfortable decorating their car with a declaration of
faith. It has a chalice symbol and says: “Looking
for a liberal religious home? Welcome to Ours!”
Then, at the bottom it has our church name and contact information.
The bumper stickers sell for $2.00 and can be purchased from Donna Schlachman during coffee hour or from George Gallo at the church office. Please help FUUSE be more “out there”!