Getting the word out about what we do and how we can help others is one of our goals for 2008. The launching of our website has extremely expanded our borders, and I will be going to churches and agencies to speak about our local mission as well.
We will also focus on fund raising. As you will see, in our Financial Report, our expenses out-weigh our income. At this time Park Church covers the heat, electric, and water bills. We are looking forward to receiving funds from outside sources to cover operational expenses of this mission to the community, and lessen the burden on one church. Many hands make light work!
Financial support from the community, as well as businesses and churches will be a great asset for helping out people at poverty levels in our communities. We want to incorporate a benevolence fund for families that need help with bills. Thus far we haven’t had the funds to do this part of the mission.
Please spread the word to others that you may be in contact with, about Samaritan House, and ask if they may be interested in helping to support this much needed mission.
We have a new brochure ready to pass out! Please pick one up and after you read it, give it to someone who doesn’t know about Samaritan House, or put a stamp on it and mail it to someone.
Word of mouth has been the greatest way to let the public know about the mission of Samaritan House. We continue to ask for your support in this way.
Samaritan House Procedures
We operate totally by donations of useable goods, and volunteer help. Financial donations are accepted for operational costs, and benevolence funds.
Samaritan House serves families on a walk in basis.
Referrals are not mandatory to be served. Personal requests are acceptable.
We build relationships with individuals and families learning the physical and spiritual needs of the individual family to better serve the needs.
Families in need are served at no cost.
The community at large is served at low cost.
We are partnering with other like-minded missions to further our mission of outreach beyond our borders.
Our vision is to raise the awareness and understanding of the issues of Poverty in our local communities.
Samaritan House Mission
To be a helping hand to families in need.
To treat people with dignity and respect, thereby sharing the love of Christ.
To increase awareness in our communities about poverty, and how to end it.
To offer classes for raising the standard to get out of poverty.
To provide life-skill programs for education and awareness.
To network with other agencies providing help to those in need.
To network with churches throughout the county, to eradicate poverty and share the love of Christ, promoting unity among the brethren.
Financial Report for 2007
Total Contributions Income $5,851.09
Expenses:
Total Contract Labor $410.00
Total Contributions $207.07
Total Office Supplies $39.90
Total Program $81.00
Total Repairs $563.33
Total Supplies $974.39
Total Fuel $1824.31
Total Food $20.31
Total Telephone/DSL $1774.43
Park Church covers the following:
Total Heat $3322.40
Total Electric $1645.05
Total Water $133.25
Total Expenses $10,995.44
Sinclairville Superette is supporting us this month with our “Give a dollar for the poor” campaign. Stop in and ask about the campaign for Samaritan House.
Thanks goes out to Scott & Vanessa Dibble for their support of Samaritan House through their local business.
God bless you as we work together to serve families who need our help, and to raise awareness of the needs in our communities.
Maureen Schafer, Director
716-962-2246 office
January: Samaritan House seen as an oasis ~ OBSERVER Article
1/7/2008 - SINCLAIRVILLE
By ALPHA HUSTED Special to the OBSERVER
The old, white church remained vacant for several years after the Park United Methodist congregation moved to its new building.
Today, as the home of Samaritan House, the village landmark at 2 East Avenue is an oasis for those in need. While the pews are gone, prayer is very much a part of the community outreach program.
It all started in 2004, when Maureen Schafer, a member of Park UMC, was given a greenlight to establish the program by the church and its pastor, the Rev. James Bailey.
“The old church had been empty for a long time,” Schafer said. “I thought it would be a great place for an outreach ministry. The goal was to provide a helping hand to those in need by collecting and providing low-cost clothing and other necessities.’’
Armed with an indomitable passion to help others, Schafer opened Samaritan House. Four years later, the Park UMC community ministry continues to be operated entirely by volunteers through donations and financial contributions.
The Rev. Bailey says the program offers an opportunity to fulfill more than spiritual needs in the community. Samaritan House, he says, enables the church to address the need for basic necessities such as clothing, food and shelter, and to help people deal with other issues and problems as well.
Classes As Well As Clothes
Samaritan House is open to the public from 2-7 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Many who seek assistance at the outreach center receive more than belts, boots, bedding and clothes.
This year, eight weeks of life skills classes were provided by the Cornell Co-Operative Extension Service. Sessions will be continued in 2008. For those lacking high school diplomas, GED studies are offered free of charge to those 17 and older by Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES. Classes are scheduled at 12:30 p.m., Wednesdays.
“We’ve come a long way over the past four years,’’ said Schafer, director of the program. “We started out with about three tables of items. Now, every niche of the building is filled with clothing and household goods, furniture, appliances and health care equipment, from wheel chairs and walkers to crutches and canes.”
On an average day, more than 300 clothing items are picked up by families and individuals — people who are recouping from disastrous house fires, others who have just moved to the area for a new start, and still others whose financial straits are linked to job layoffs, illnesses, and other problems.
In addition to the need for clothing, Schafer said, there are endless requests for appliances and furniture.
“We sell all items at very low prices,” she said. “Those in great need are simply served at no cost. Very few donations are discarded. That’s because people are thoughtful enough to drop off items in good condition.”
At Samaritan House, contributions of artificial flowers and other small articles and materials are sent to area nursing homes, where they are used in crafts. Stuffed animals have gone to the Park UM Christmas gift program and to the Teddy Bears for Soldiers in Salamanca. This past year, Schafer said, 23 book-bags were distributed to students of all ages, and that project will be offered again in 2008.
Samaritan House Partners
Samaritan House also partners with a number of other agencies including St. Pauly Textile, Inc, of Rochester, a company whose mission is to get useable clothing to people in the United States and to others in third world countries.
St. Pauly provides drop-off boxes, free of charge, to 130 outreach missions throughout Western New York, including Samaritan House, where the large structure behind the building is referred to as the “donation shed.’’
“Over the past year,” Schafer said, “we’ve already sent 21,415 pounds — or about 10.5 tons — of clothes to St. Pauly. By Dec. 31, we will be up to 11 tons.’’
In addition, clothing and small toiletry items are sent to VIVE La Casa in Buffalo, an interfaith organization offering support and legal help to refugees.
Samaritan House, Schafer said, has “benefitted tremendously” through working with such organizations as Chautauqua County’s Faith Based Initiative. The faith based community and Social Services Department group, she said, focuses on improving networking between communities and church denominations.
Other outreach partners are Community Helping Hands and the Western New York Central Referral Service.
“We have become much better equipped to assist people through contacts with other churches, social service caseworkers, and Visiting Nurses,” the Samaritan House director said.
Volunteers, New Windows Needed
With many already considering New Year resolutions, volunteers at the outreach center are hoping others will make a commitment to join them. “We are in great need of volunteers,’’ said Schafer, noting that people willing to assist may set their own hours by calling Samaritan House at 962-2246.
Organizations, such as senior and youth groups, church groups, girl and boy scouts, and school clubs also are invited to consider work missions at Samaritan House.
Especially needed at this time is a maintenance man. Several interior carpentry and painting projects have been on the agenda for some time. “Right now,” the director said, “we are hoping to sell the old stained glass windows which will be replaced to conserve our heating bills — when we’re able to raise enough funds for the project.”
Meanwhile, bagged donations of clothing may be dropped off anytime at the donation shed. Household goods and appliances are accepted at Samaritan House during open hours or by appointment.
More information on the outreach program is available on the Website,
http://www.samaritanhouse.us.
January: End Poverty in America
GET INVOLVED
Understanding the issues of poverty. Discovering easy ways to make a difference. Acting in the community. Giving your attention, your time, your resources. There are so many ways to get involved and help end poverty for good. And they all start here:
LEARN
The first step to solving a problem is understanding it, learning about the root causes of poverty and how people are finding success in ending it.
ACT
You can help increase awareness of poverty in America and advocate for change in your community. Here are simple ways to participate, act and get involved.
Become an advocate!
GIVE
Whether it’s giving your time and talent, donating materials or money, or contributing resources, you can make a difference in the lives of the 37 million Americans who are working for independence from poverty.
Support your local Outreach Mission
Samaritan House is sponsoring a “Give a dollar for the poor” campaign. Every dollar helps to support local families in need.
Please consider giving on a regular monthly basis.
You may give on our secure website donation page located at:
www.samaritanhouse.us or send directly to our office:
PO Box 730, Sinclairville, NY 14782
God Bless you as we work together serving our communities needs.
Maureen Schafer, Director
December: Year’s End 2007
We are very busy at Samaritan House! Volunteers are needed!!
We sent out 21,415 # of clothes to St. Pauly Textiles this year. (that’s almost 11 TONS! And by the end of December it will be 11 TONS!!) These clothes are being shipped around the USA and around the World! We have been very busy sorting clothes and household goods that have been donated. We also received donations from several household sales this year. Many thanks, to Elaine Palmer-Titus, and many other individuals who have donated in this way.
Many families have been assisted this year with clothing and household goods. Some have moved into our area needing to start over, some are from our area needing a helping hand. The needs vary, but are constant.
There have been a lot of elderly folks in need of help with healthcare equipment that we’ve been able to provide for them to use, such as walkers, potty chairs, canes, shower chairs and wheelchairs.
Networking with the Faith Based Initiative has expanded our tent-stakes tremendously! We are able to help people in need throughout the County via the DSS Caseworkers, and Visiting Nurses, as well as other Churches when a need arises.
8 weeks of Life -Skills Classes have been provided by Cooperative Extension. We look forward to the next session of classes in 2008.
GED classes began in August provided by BOCES. Classes are on Wednesdays at 12:30. Classes are free to anyone 17 and older who lacks a high school diploma.
Chautauqua County Intercessors have begun meeting together in the Upper Room to pray.
In July we set up a booth at the Praise Festival in Westfield. Many connections were made with churches around the county. Bibles and Christian literature were also given out.
23 Book-bags were given to children of all ages for this school year. The response was great, so we will plan on doing that outreach again next year.
We donated several bags of stuffed animals towards the Christmas gift program at Park and giveaways for AD Free, as well as several bags of Bears for the Teddy Bears for Soldiers program in Salamanca. We also send age appropriate craft items to the After School Program at Park. Many things go to the Chautauqua County Nursing Home ministry. We are preparing a load to go to Vive La Casa in Buffalo, an organization for World Refugees (small toiletry items are needed).
We welcome new opportunities to broaden our territory in lending a helping hand to other ministries and outreach programs.
We had a new hot water tank installed, when the old one gave out. Many thanks, to Tom MacKinder.
We are looking for opportunities to sell the stained glass windows and replace them with energy efficient ones. We need enough money from the sale of the windows to pay for new ones and closing in the openings. (Please pray about this!)
A Maintenance man is needed! We have windows that need replacing, and several small carpentry & painting projects. Please call if you can help with these indoor projects.
We welcome volunteers donating time to sort clothing and keep our facility clean and orderly. If you have time to lend a helping hand, please call and let us know. Volunteer time can be done anytime of the week. If your organization is looking for community service projects, we welcome your assistance. (Senior Groups, Youth Groups, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, School groups, etc.)
We are looking forward to getting the word out about Samaritan House via the World Wide Web! Many thanks to Uta Milewski!
Please consider adding Samaritan House to your monthly missions giving program it would be greatly appreciated, and is greatly needed to keep up with maintenance, and helping the poor.
We look forward to our journey of helps in the community.
Thank You for being a part of this ministry.
God Bless you!
Maureen Schafer & Volunteers
716-962-2246 office
We sent out 21,415 # of clothes to St. Pauly Textiles this year. (that’s almost 11 TONS! And by the end of December it will be 11 TONS!!) These clothes are being shipped around the USA and around the World! We have been very busy sorting clothes and household goods that have been donated. We also received donations from several household sales this year. Many thanks, to Elaine Palmer-Titus, and many other individuals who have donated in this way.
Many families have been assisted this year with clothing and household goods. Some have moved into our area needing to start over, some are from our area needing a helping hand. The needs vary, but are constant.
There have been a lot of elderly folks in need of help with healthcare equipment that we’ve been able to provide for them to use, such as walkers, potty chairs, canes, shower chairs and wheelchairs.
Networking with the Faith Based Initiative has expanded our tent-stakes tremendously! We are able to help people in need throughout the County via the DSS Caseworkers, and Visiting Nurses, as well as other Churches when a need arises.
8 weeks of Life -Skills Classes have been provided by Cooperative Extension. We look forward to the next session of classes in 2008.
GED classes began in August provided by BOCES. Classes are on Wednesdays at 12:30. Classes are free to anyone 17 and older who lacks a high school diploma.
Chautauqua County Intercessors have begun meeting together in the Upper Room to pray.
In July we set up a booth at the Praise Festival in Westfield. Many connections were made with churches around the county. Bibles and Christian literature were also given out.
23 Book-bags were given to children of all ages for this school year. The response was great, so we will plan on doing that outreach again next year.
We donated several bags of stuffed animals towards the Christmas gift program at Park and giveaways for AD Free, as well as several bags of Bears for the Teddy Bears for Soldiers program in Salamanca. We also send age appropriate craft items to the After School Program at Park. Many things go to the Chautauqua County Nursing Home ministry. We are preparing a load to go to Vive La Casa in Buffalo, an organization for World Refugees (small toiletry items are needed).
We welcome new opportunities to broaden our territory in lending a helping hand to other ministries and outreach programs.
We had a new hot water tank installed, when the old one gave out. Many thanks, to Tom MacKinder.
We are looking for opportunities to sell the stained glass windows and replace them with energy efficient ones. We need enough money from the sale of the windows to pay for new ones and closing in the openings. (Please pray about this!)
A Maintenance man is needed! We have windows that need replacing, and several small carpentry & painting projects. Please call if you can help with these indoor projects.
We welcome volunteers donating time to sort clothing and keep our facility clean and orderly. If you have time to lend a helping hand, please call and let us know. Volunteer time can be done anytime of the week. If your organization is looking for community service projects, we welcome your assistance. (Senior Groups, Youth Groups, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, School groups, etc.)
We are looking forward to getting the word out about Samaritan House via the World Wide Web! Many thanks to Uta Milewski!
Please consider adding Samaritan House to your monthly missions giving program it would be greatly appreciated, and is greatly needed to keep up with maintenance, and helping the poor.
We look forward to our journey of helps in the community.
Thank You for being a part of this ministry.
God Bless you!
Maureen Schafer & Volunteers
716-962-2246 office
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