CANDIS RIEDER
Correspondent
Community
Article Photos
Special Recognition
AMVETS National Commander, Gary Fry, presented a special citation along with an encased American flag to the SGES school for their continued support of Americanism throughout their community. Accepting the award is SGES Principal, Marcia Madigan.
Food Pantry
In the spring of 2010, the Free Methodist Church was approached by Second Harvest of Erie, PA and asked to host a Mobile Food Pantry distribution. A truck full of food has been delivered nine times a year to the church's location and the food distributed to area families. This has been very successful and during December 2011 alone with the help of 47 volunteers they were able to distribute approximately 12,000 lbs. of donated food to 188 families in the area representing 506 individuals. The majority of these individuals are families with younger children.
In addition to the Second Harvest events the church has operated a small local food pantry and was able to meet the needs of a few families each month over many years. Acquiring food however was always problematic. Food drives from the Boy Scouts, the local area schools, and their own congregation were the primary means by which food was received. In November, SGFMC signed an agreement to make them a member of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Western Pennsylvania's network of agency food pantries. This among other things means that we can now purchase food from the Second Harvest food bank at rates many times less than going to a local grocery store. Because of this and from the monetary donations of some generous individuals, they were are able to supplement the existing food stores with new and much needed items from Second Harvest. They now have a large stocked and functioning food pantry with the goal of serving the local area families who are struggling in this tough economic climate.
Food is available to individuals and families meeting the Second Harvest income qualification guidelines. Regular distributions of food will occur on the third Wednesday of the month from 6-8 p.m. Other pickup times are available by calling the church office at (814) 489-3105. Office hours are M,T,Th, F from 9 a.m. 1 p.m.
Donations of food and money are greatly appreciated and can be made by dropping food off at the church. Monetary donations can be dropped off or mailed. The address is Sugar Grove Free Methodist Church, P.O. Box 596, 210 Jamestown Street, Sugar Grove, PA 16350.
Patriotic Christmas
Program
On December 21, 2011 the Sugar Grove Elementary School welcomed AMVETS National Commander, Gary Fry, from Sugar Grove, PA (AMVETS Post #50) to their Welcome Home for the Holidays Patriotic Christmas Program.
Sugar Grove Principal Marcia Madigan introduced the Commander to the children and they sang patriotic songs.
During the program, National Commander Fry explained to the children about veterans all over the world and those in hospitals and veterans hospitals. He told them about recently meeting soldiers on his trip half way around the world to South Korea, Taiwan, Hawaii, Pearl Harbor and here in the United States. The Commander presented Principal Madigan and the elementary school with an AMVETS citation along with an encased American flag for their continued support of Americanism throughout their community.
Erin's Angels
Erin Briggs of Russell was recently diagnosed with a rare form of small cell ovarian cancer at the age of 29. She no longer has medical insurance to cover her treatments and the community is hosting a benefit event to assist Erin and her family with the substantial medical costs. On Saturday, January 7th at 4:30 p.m. the Praise Fellowship Church will be hosting a Spaghetti Dinner and Benefit Event. There will be an auction and live concert by Scott Phillips along with dinner. Local area churches are providing assistance with food supplies. If you can help or would like to make a donation to Erin and her family, you can do so by contacting the Praise Fellowship Church at (814) 757-5758. Mark your calendars to come on out to this special event and make a donation. Thank You.
Community
Lunch Schedule
A community lunch is provided at the local area churches. The first Friday of each month lunch is provided at the Mission Covenant Church. The second Thursday lunch is provided at the Sugar Grove United Methodist Church. The third Wednesday lunch is provided at the Hessel Valley Lutheran Church. All lunches begin at 11:30 a.m. and everyone is welcome to attend.
China Display
The New York Southern Tier Porcelain Artists have a display of hand painted porcelain china on display in the Sugar Grove Library's foyer. All the pieced are painted by the members of the local club, which is affiliated with the World Organization of China Painters or WOCP. There are many chapters of the WOCP all over the US and many foreign countries as well. There is a museum dedicated to the art form in Oklahoma City www.theshop.net/wocporg. Members of the local chapter reside in Chautauqua County, New York and in Warren County. Come and see what can be done to turn a piece of plain white china into a beautiful family heirloom.
Red Kettle Campaign
Thank you to all those from the local churches who gave of their time to stand out in the weather and ring the bell this year for the local Salvation Army needs. The kettle was once again located outside of the Town and Country Food Center and throughout the month of December. Each weekend the Kettle was manned by volunteers. The Red Kettle Campaign helps raise donations for those who need it most by providing toys for kids, coats for the homeless, food for the hungry, and countless other programs.
Every Child Deserves
a Stable Beginning
The Sugar Grove Free Methodist Church families are giving up their poinsettia flowers this season to help out a family in need. Normally the congregation would give funds to purchase flowers in memory of loved ones. The money spent on flowers to decorate their church this year is going to help a homeless family in Kenya, Africa build a new home. After three weeks they have raised $4,125.00 out of the $7,500.00 needed to build the home. If you would like to make a donation to help build this house, you can contact the church office at 489-3105. Money will be collected for another week.