The Lazarus Project
LAZARUS IS ALIVE!!!!!
First Lazarus Program a huge success.
The Lazarus Project had its first public program offering on Saturday, April 4, 2009. Forty-six people gathered to participate in a workshop on resume writing, internet job search and seeking state offered employment. The people who attended the program where from various backgrounds, skill sets and cities. The age of the participants ran from 16 to 65. It was a miror of the economic situation in our area and in our country.
Dawn Birchmeier and Carrie Gould gave wonderful and insightful presentations and we thank them for all their efforts. We plan to offer similar programs in the future. We welcome your ideas and feedback in meeting the needs of the community in this area of job search and job creation.
New Computers:
The Lazarus Project now had three computers dedicated for use to those who are seeking employment. The computers were generously donated to us and are now ready for use in resume writing, internet job search and employment assistance. They will be available for use during Lazarus office hours by appointment with a Lazarus Advocate.
The “Family Health and Wellness Day” was a great success after months of planning and countless hours of preparations. I was proud to be part of something so good and life giving. The Lazarus Committee and hoards of volunteers gave their time, energy and expertise to help everyone who came through our doors. Memorial Health Care was available to provide numerous health screening test from Cholestoral, blood, bone density and breast screening. Numerous charitable organizations from around the county were present to provide information and assistance to all who asked. We had a room full of clothes, personal need items like shampoo and soap and school supplies for the kids going back to school.
The “Hair Cut Room” was one of the most popular with over 41 haircuts given by three hard working Hair Stylists. We also had food distribution available for those who needed it.
No one left empty handed.
The day as eye opening for all involved and highlighted the kind of struggles going on all around us by good people who need a break. We served over 66 families which equated to over 271 adults and children.
My heartfelt gratitude to all the volunteers who unselfishly and lovingly gave of themselves for the benefit of others. A special thanks to the “Lazarus Committee”, Pam Drake, Linda Burns, Marla Welte, Carrie Germain and Paul Williamson. Your generosity is inspiring.
This truly was the Gospel in action.
Peace, Fr. J Munley
(Taken from St. Mary’s Catholic Church bulletin for the weekend of Sept 5th and 6th, 2009)
Family Health & Wellness Day is a Success!
Thank you to everyone who participated in our first, St. Mary’s Lazarus Project Family Health & Wellness Day!
We appreciate all of you who volunteered or donated items. Because of you we were able to help sixty-six families whose family members totaled two hundred and seventy-one people!
We completely ran out of personal needs items, back packs and school supplies. A vast majority of the clothes were distributed and forty-one people received haircuts and all families received food that was donated from Catholic Charities North-End Soup Kitchen.
Memorial Healthcare did forty-three bone density tests, forty-four cholesterol tests, passed out ten colon rectal tests and scheduled five mammogram appointments. Two nurses from our parish provided scoliosis screenings and blood pressure testing. Qualified people from our parish also provided help navigating the drug prescription pages on the Internet to help people receive free or reduced rate medications.
Special thanks to the local businesses who by donating items becamse co-sponsores. The list includes: Durand Rite-Aid, Durand Subway, Memorial Healthcare, Pfizer Inc., Riverside Market, Shaw’s Pharmacy, VG’s and Wal-Mart.
Thank you too all the organizations that participated and signed people up for their services. That list consists of Baker College, Capital Area Community Services, Catholic Charities, Community Mental Health, Memorial Cancer Center, Memorial Healthcare, MSU Extension, Respite Volunteers and SVRC Industries.
Father J, Marla Welte, Carrie Germain, Sharon Gould, Paul Williamson, Linda Burns, Michael Gould and Peggy Lewis all get special thanks for their time and dedication for the past several months to making this event a reality!
God Bless each and every one of you that helped to put a smile on people’s face, give them help and hope and carry on what Jesus taught us to do!
Pamela Drake
St. Mary’s Lazarus Project Program Director
(Taken from St. Mary’s Catholic Church bulletin for the weekend of Sept 5th and 6th, 2009)
Scroll down to see comments from Fr J Munley and Pamela Drake, St. Mary’s Lazarus Project Program Director
August 27, 2009 - Family Health and Wellness Day
April 4, 2009 - Public Program Offering
