SEPTEMBER - In September, our youth group kicked off the beginning of our youth group and our year of outreach by volunteering at the soda booth at the September Fest. It was a huge success despite the number of bees that swarmed around us as they made their home in the booth.
OCTOBER - On Oct. 7, 2010, our teens will once again help clean up after the pasta dinner hosted by the Bridge House. Following dinner, the teens will pitch in to wash pots and pans, sweep and mop floors, move tables and chairs and put the house back in order. Last year, they were such an impressive group and received many compliments from the staff and members at the Bridge House. After last year's dinner, some comments we heard on the way home "from the backseat" were:
Their good deeds help to support the work of the Bridge House, Inc. of Bridgeport, Connecticut, a psychosocial rehabilitation program for adults recovering from the persistent effects of psychiatric illness.
The mission of Bridge House is to provide a positive, encouraging environment of programs and support which give persons with psychiatric disabilities opportunities to live productive and satisfying lives.
For more information on the Bridge House visit - http://www.bridgehousect.org/
NOVEMBER - In November, the parish will once again have a coat drive. The teens will again sort hundreds and hundreds of coats into countless bags. On Sunday morning, November 14, we will take a group of teen volunteers to deliver coats, hats and scarves to the homeless at an underpass on John Street in Bridgeport, where over 100 people who are either homeless or living in poverty gather to receive donations from a variety of individuals and organizations. The rest of the coats will be delivered to Bridgeport Rescue Mission and Community Closet. We know that the donations made by our parishioners go directly to those desperately in need. Thank you for your support of the parish wide coat drive.
DECEMBER - During Advent, the teens will again set up a Christmas tree on the Altar. Over 1300 gift tags for donations to 11 charities will be hung on the tree. The Youth Group helps to collect and distributed the 1300 gifts. To learn more about the charities your gifts support, click on the links below.
FEBRUARY - Souper Bowl Sunday - During Super Bowl Sunday Weekend (Feb. 5 - Feb. 6), the teens will gather to collect food donations. We will then deliver the food to St. Stephens Pantry in Bridgeport.