CEC Outreach News: September 2, 2021
Thanks to All Whose Donations to Outreach Are Helping the Homeless at the DRC
For a decade, parishioners have been supporting the medical care of our homeless friends served by the Day Resource Center (DRC) at the Leola Dorsey Center near Rt. 1 in Jessup. And, once again, your donations are making a difference.
Dr. Joseph Gagliardi notified Outreach Commission member Dione Mahoney that after a long hiatus due to the pandemic, he plans to reopen the volunteer medical clinic, on Saturdays only, later this month.
The DRC is operated by Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center, which has arranged for the DRC to hold a free coronavirus vaccine clinic this Saturday, September 4th from 9 a.m. to noon at the center, 10390 Guilford Rd. Suite A, Jessup MD, 20794. If people whom you know are deciding that the time has come for a shot, please encourage them. Both sign-ups and walk-ins are welcome.
To resume more routine care in the clinic, Dr. Gagliardi requested that Christ Church resupply his medicine cabinet. So earlier this week, Dione went shopping. She turned to parishioners' donations that had been designated for General Outreach, spending $274 to buy over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers, antacids, saline nasal spray, cough drops, allergy medicines, and intestinal and digestive products.
She delivered three large bags of medical supplies for Dr. Gagliardi. “I was able to purchase most of them in the quantities that he requested. Some stores are still having restocking issues, but he will have at least some of everything on his list,” Dione wrote.
Dr. Gagliardi sends his personal gratitude to all of our parishioners for their generosity.
During the pandemic, Dr. Gagliardi and others from Grassroots had visited the encampments where homeless people have long been able to set up tents in the corridor along Rt. 1 and I-95, stretching from Laurel to Elkridge. Others live in their vehicles in the same vicinity. All come to the DRC for curbside services.
In pre-pandemic times, the medical clinic was operational on the same days that the DRC served hot meals with the help of congregations that included Christ Church. Grassroots hopes to resume such indoor operations in November.
Besides providing volunteers to serve meals, Christ Church had long supported the clinic and broader medical needs, such as paying for motel stays for friends who were released from the hospital with nowhere to go during their recoveries. In 2015, Dr. Gagliardi thanked the parish in person, delivering the sermon and meeting afterward with church members who are DRC supporters such as Dione, Nancy Winchester, Michon Semon, and George and Shahra Toth.
Please lift up Dr. Gagliardi and his homeless patients in prayer. And thanks to one and all who contributed, making it possible for Christ Church to fill the DRC’s medicine cabinet.
You can find a wish list of other items needed by the DRC and by Grassroots’ Freetown Road shelter online. It is posted on the Christ Church signup site for the monthly meal that we provide on a dropoff basis for the Freetown shelter residents. Save the dates: Monday, September 20th, and Monday, October 18th, arriving between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. to drop off your dish in the parking lot near Old Brick.
To further help our neighbors in need, some parishioners take it upon themselves to provide the evening meal for the 50 adults and children at Freetown Road. It’s your choice to provide an entree and side dishes, or just the entree. Cook in your own kitchen, or order out. Grassroots encourages an order of 12 pizzas — four with cheese and the rest with meat (any kind), or rotisserie chickens (12 to make a meal) — but discourages lasagna or other pasta entrees. Here is a link to the sign-up list that has openings through October 31st.
Collection Drive Continues to Provide Diapers, Personal Care Items for CCC
At Christ Church, members of R.A.G.E and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to continue supporting the all-volunteer organization Columbia Community Care (CCC) by collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers. Please put these in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. You can drop off items on weekdays until 2 p.m., but we ask that you call the church office (410) 381-9365 ahead of time.
The CCC sites will be closed the week of Labor Day, from Sunday, September 5th to September 11th. Also, organizers announced changes for fall that include the elimination of Wednesday distribution. The next distribution day after the break will be on Saturday, September 18th. For more information or to volunteer for fall slots, go to CCC’s website or to the CCC group on Facebook.
Donate Personal Care and Cleaning Supplies for FISH in its Yellow Bin on our Breezeway
Organizers for FISH of Howard County request household cleaning supplies such as liquid dish soap, bleach, and cleanser as well as personal items such as deodorant, shampoo, and bath soaps. At present, its pantry has an adequate supply of groceries. The bin is between Old Brick and the Parish Hall.
In general, if you have suggestions about ways to help the community, if you want to get involved, or if you need assistance, please email Christ Church Outreach at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Your help is greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.
