The Social Concerns Committee, while addressing a wide range of issues, focuses on hunger, housing and health, both at the local level and more broadly. Many volunteer opportunities are available to the church family, including the following.
AOET (Action for Empowerment): Assists desperately poor orphans and families in Uganda affected by the AIDS epidemic. There are several ways to help including (1) being part a team traveling for three weeks to Uganda next winter, (2) host a bead party to sell jewelry made by widows, or (3) sponsor a Ugandan child. For more information visit the AOET website (www.aoet.org) or contact Paul & Jean Phillips.
BREAD FOR THE WORLD: Join together to urge our leaders to fulfill their promises to the world's hungry and poor people. Volunteer to write letters or help organize the letter writing. For more information, visit the Bread for the World website (www.bread.org) or contact Sacheveral Eldrid.
CARE TEAMS: Members of our church are involved in several care teams through the Eddy Nursing Center that need volunteers. This innovative and award-winning program provides a range of non-medical, home-based support services. (church member contacts: Lynn Young and Nancy Kochheiser) For more information about the Alzheimer Care Teams, contact the Eddy Coordinator, Sandy Monahan. For information about the HIV/AIDS Care Teams and Elder Care Teams, contact the Eddy office.
EOC (Economic Opportunity Council): The Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council provides aid to low- and/or fixed-income people and families in crises. Volunteers are needed on occasional or weekly basis for office work, picking up and delivering food, sorting food, the soup kitchen, etc. For more information, visit their website at www.saratogaeoc.org or contact Millie Green.
EOC "HOUSE TO HOME": refurbishing mobile homes, Tues- Thurs. 9-2 , some Saturdays, any amount of help welcome. Contact Jim Cumming or Gary Underwood.
EOC RURAL FOOD DELIVERY: share the jobs of packing or delivering food to the rural poor. Contact Chuck Kochheiser.
FIGHTING GLOBAL WARMING: A group is forming to find political leaders who will stand up to fight global warming and climate change. Contact Janet Friauf.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: Volunteer for the annual Men’s spring Habitat trip. Contact Jay Ekman for more info.
HEIFER PROJECT: Volunteer to collect contributions. For more information, contact Jaime Gustafson.
LATINO COMMUNITY ADVOCACY PROGRAM: serves the special needs of the growing Spanish-speaking population of our county and works with local government officials, business owners, service providers, and community leaders to facilitate more effective communication and positive relationships with Spanish-speaking community members, employees and clients. Volunteer to interpret or to teach English. Contact: Krystle Nowhitney at EOC 587-3158
MORE LIGHT COMMITTEE: As a “More Light” and “Open and Affirming” church we welcome and affirm Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender persons. Volunteer to work with other church members to translate these words into actions. Occasional meetings. Contact Terry Diggory
NEW ORLEANS MISSION TRIP, Feb 18-22, 2008: Most homes were without adequate insurance, so much rebuilding is being done by volunteers. Assistance will be needed for years to come. Help with new construction, play therapy for elementary kids. For aged 16 and older, under 18 with parent. Time allotted for fun! Contact Kathy Johnson.
REBUILDING TOGETHER: Rebuilding Together Saratoga County assists low income Saratoga County homeowners, by providing home rehabilitation. Last year 25 church members helped out. www.rebuildingtogethersaratoga.com Call 695-3315 or see Shelley Larkin. Talents and time needed: organization and planning work year round, major work weekend in late April (cleaning, carpentry, landscaping, all levels of experience). Also: fall project day is Sept 15th.
