Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’

Beacon of Hope House Christmas Party Brings Holiday Cheer

Friday, December 14th, 2012

On December 4th, 2012, Beacon of Hope House held their annual Christmas party at the Church of the Epiphany in Manhattan. Over 160 people attended for an evening of holiday celebration.

Catholic Charities staff and volunteers helped set up the party, serve food and drinks and organize a raffle for party attendees. The creative raffle baskets handed out to lucky winners included supplies for a movie night, a spa basket and a healthy eating kit.

In addition to Beacon residents, among the guests in attendance were Executive Director of Catholic Charities Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, who gave the blessing, and Catholic Charities Community Services Board Member John Baldante.

Guests spent the night dancing to Latin music and savoring delicious food. They also had their pictures taken with friends and received a picture frame along with it as a party favor. Denise Bauer, Director of Beacon of Hope House, noted how much the guests enjoyed the chance to be photographed with their friends and how much they appreciated the special keepsake.

Beacon of Hope House operates residences and an employment Clubhouse in the Bronx and on Staten Island for over 430 individuals with mental illnesses.

To volunteer for upcoming opportunities to spread holiday cheer and help those in need, sign up on our volunteer website.

Catholic Charities Piles Shopping Carts High at Second-Annual St. Nicholas of Westchester Shopping Day

Wednesday, December 12th, 2012

 

Msgr. Kevin Sullivan and Catholic Charities Board of Trustees member Susan Salice

Equipped with wish lists from people in need, Catholic Charities Executive Director Msgr. Kevin Sullivan and Deputy Westchester County Executive Kevin Plunkett raced down K-Mart aisles at 399 Tarrytown Road in White Plains with staff, family, friends and volunteers today, December 11, at the second annual St. Nicholas of Westchester (SNOW) shopping day event spearheaded by Catholic Charities Board of Trustees member Susan Salice.
“How great it is to give up a couple hours to give people supplies they need to have a better holiday,” said Ms. Salice.

She joined the group as they piled shopping carts high with winter necessities – gloves, coats, boots and blankets — and household essentials to make sure families in need have a warm and happy Christmas.

While associated with Christmas, donations to the St. Nicholas Project named after the Bishop of Myra in the third century, help provide services  year round to people in need.  This year, Hurricane Sandy survivors are also included among those targeted for gifts of essential items purchased at the St. Nicholas of Westchester shopping day event.

“Hurricane Sandy put into perspective that we can quickly lose things we considered necessities of life,” said Karen Reynolds, Catholic Charities Regional Supervisor for Westchester County.  “This event around the holidays gives those who lost so much a sense of Christmas hope, that people care about them.”

Missed Shopping Day but still want to bring Christmas cheer to those in need?

Click here to discover more New York volunteer opportunities.

Click here to donate to this year-round project.

Visit Santa and Save on Your Holiday Shopping

Friday, December 7th, 2012

Christmas Celebration at the Catholic Charities Community Services  Thrift Store at 402 E. 152nd Street, Bronx, NY 10455. An event for the entire community:  Saturday, December 22, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Receive:

  • Free photos with Santa Claus
  • Special holiday discounts
  • Holiday music for all to enjoy
  • One free children’s book per child

To donate new toys, contact Robert Crocker by dialing 718.292.6214 ext #3 or email, robert.crocker@archny.org.

Click here for more ways to save and serve others during this holiday season.

 

Catholic Charities and Empire City Casino Help Sandy Survivors Stay Warm This Winter

Friday, December 7th, 2012

As Christmas approaches and we prepare to celebrate the joyful holiday season, our thoughts remain with those affected by Sandy.

So many families in the Archdiocese of New York were impacted by the hurricane, and money that would typically be spent on gifts is now needed to restore and repair homes or replace essential belongings that were destroyed in the storm. More adults and children than ever are in need of a warm coat to protect them from the cold, and many families will simply not be able to afford a Christmas gift for their children this year.

Empire City Casino’s Annual “Christmas Spirit” Toy and Coat Drive holds even greater importance this year in the face of the catastrophic hurricane. Donations of gently used coats and new, unwrapped toys are being collected at Empire City Casino’s main promotions booth through December 9th. These gifts will help needy New Yorkers give their children a Christmas and stay warm throughout the season.

Empire City Casino has a long history of working with Catholic Charities to help New Yorkers in need, non-Catholics and Catholics alike.

To volunteer your time or donate to the Sandy Relief Fund:

This Holiday Season, Give the Gift of Your Time

Wednesday, November 21st, 2012

With Thanksgiving upon us and Christmas arriving soon, many people’s thoughts turn to giving. While there are countless material items available for purchase, one present that lasts long after the holidays is the gift of your time. Catholic Charities has multiple volunteer opportunities that allow you to dedicate your talents to helping needy New Yorkers.

Some of the ways you can get involved include:

To sign up for these and many other volunteering options, visit our volunteer website. Your time can make all the difference for your neighbors in need this holiday season.

Christmas Blessings from Catholic Charities

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

By Marianna Reilly

December 13, 2011 — We invite you to watch a special Christmas message from our executive director, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan. In this video, he reflects on the inspiring story of Christmas, which to those of us at Catholic Charities, reflects the faces of the people we are honored to serve. When we reach out to those in need, we have the chance to experience an even greater season of peace, of joy and of hope.

How to Volunteer in New York this Christmas Season

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

A volunteer and her daughter at last year’s St. Nicholas Project Shopping Day in Manhattan.

By Marianna Reilly

December 7, 2011 — Looking to give back as Christmas draws near? Catholic Charities invites you learn more about our many New York volunteer opportunities. Check out how our dedicated volunteers are giving back this year, and connecting with our neighbors in need.

  • Did you miss St. Nicholas Project Shopping Day in Westchester? On Tuesday December 6, the Feast Day of St. Nicholas, volunteers helped shop for families in need at our St. Nicholas Project Shopping Day in Westchester, New York. The event, named SNOW (St. Nicholas of Westchester), was held at the White Plains Kmart, and was a great success. Gloves, coats, boots and blankets were among the items piled into shopping carts to help give 60 local families a warm and happy Christmas. Spearheaded by Catholic Charities Board member Susan Salice, SNOW was attended by Westchester County executive Rob Astorino and Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, executive director of Catholic Charities New York.

Missed it? Want to volunteer at our next Shopping Day?

  • Volunteer at St. Nicholas Project Shopping Day in Manhattan on December 10: Sign up to volunteer at Catholic Charities biggest volunteer event of the year! Archbishop Timothy Dolan and Catholic Charities Executive Director Msgr. Kevin Sullivan will be among those who will shop for winter necessities for families in need at the Astor Place Kmart in Greenwich Village on Saturday, December 10. All volunteers will shop for free with funds provided by our generous donors. The St. Nicholas Project, which provides crucial social services to families throughout the year, is largely supported by the fundraising events and activities of the Catholic Charities Junior Board.
  • Did you miss volunteering at our Manhattan Christmas Party? On December 6, volunteers assisted at a Christmas party for mentally challenged individuals at Beacon of Hope House, helping set up the event, serve food, distribute raffles, wrap and give out gifts and gift cards. Beacon of Hope House, an agency run by Catholic Charities Community Services, operates residences for approximately 200 individuals and a day program for the mentally challenged in Staten Island and the Bronx.

Missed it? Want to volunteer at our next Christmas Party?

  • Volunteer at our Westchester Christmas Party on January 7: Assist with a Charity Christmas Party in Yonkers for day laborers and their families who are part of Obreros Unidos, a supportive program operated by Catholic Charities New York. Party volunteers will set up prior to event, serve food, distribute raffles, wrap and give out gifts. A brief orientation and training will take place at the site. Volunteers can choose to participate during one or both shifts on January 7th, 2012: from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., or from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. All that’s needed is an outgoing personality and great interpersonal skills. We especially welcome bilingual volunteers.

Want to discover even more New York volunteer opportunities? Check out our full list of opportunities here, in locations throughout the Archdiocese of New York.