Community Outreach
Central United Choir Fundraises to support Out Place Respite
**DRUM ROLL**
“Thank you to everyone who came out and helped us support the wonderful work that OUR PLACE RESPITE does every day. A total of $1615.25 was donated at our Carols By Candlelight concert held on Dec 15th, 2024. This donation will help Our Place Respite carry out their mission and vision. “ Find out more about their amazing program at www.ourplacerespite.com
The Central United Senior Choir under the direction of Phil Hallman put together an amazing evening of uplifting music and carolling which was enjoyed by all who attended.
Community Outreach Team
Throughout the year our Outreach Team fundraises by holding events, managing concessions etc. At the end of the year they choose a number of causes in the community to support with the funds raised. In addition, they also hold three food-bank collections and a coat/winter accessories collection each year. This year the following organizations received donations. Second Stage Housing, Valora Place (Violence Against Women), St Thomas Elgin Food Bank, Pearce Williams, VON Elgin Middlesex, Salvation Army, Mission & Service United Church of Canada & YWCA Tiny Hope Project.
HEAT PUMPS COOL THINGS DOWN AT CENTRAL UNITED THANKS TO A GRANT FROM THE ONTARIO TRILLIUM FOUNDATION
On Sunday Oct. 20th Mayor Joe Preston and Alan Dale from the Ontario Trillium Foundation met with the team at Central United Church & Community Centre to hear more about the $41,700 Capital grant from the provincial government's Ontario Trillium Foundation that was used to install heat pumps to provide air-conditioning and off season heating to over 4000 sq ft of spaces utilized by community groups and Our Place Respite, a day program for adults with disabilities. This will allow those spaces to be used year round and help to reduce the building's carbon footprint. "Community spaces are becoming scarce, at a time when the need is growing" said Richard Jackson, Chair of Council at Central," this government grant increases the hours we can provide to the community now and in the future."
OUR PLACE RESPITE RECEIVES DONATION FROM OKTOBERFEST KIDZ KARNIVAL FOOD SALES
Thanks to donations and food sales at our Oktoberfest Kidz Karnival in September, Central United was able to donate $525.00 to Our Place Respite, a day program for adults with disabilities which operates out of the church building Monday to Friday year round. A program that has brought much joy, laughter, friendship and caring to our congregation and other groups that share our spaces.
L-R. Cathy Walsh& John Walsh from Central United. Samantha Daniels & Julia Margetts from Our Place Respite.
Oktoberfest Kidz Karnival
The Oktoberfest Kidz Karnival was held on September 21st, 2024 to celebrate the beginning of Oktoberfest. Children and families had so much fun (and we did too!). All of our carnival type games were the old-fashioned kind, no inflatables or elecrtronics. Games like the Duck Pond, Ball in the Bucket, Tin Can Toss, Dinosaur Darts etc and of course our kids and adults most favourite game, The Toilet Paper Toss. Our Community partners the St Thomas Fire Dept, Police Dept and Library joined us and were a big hit with the big and little kids. Our goal was to make this an event all families could come and enjoy for a very minimal cost. Hot Dogs, Sausages, Popcorn, Lemonade, Pretzels etc were available for a minimal amount.Thanks to a grant from the Hope Council , An Incorporated Ministry in Antler River Watershed Region-The United Church of Canada, and donations from our local Freshco and Wendy's we were able to accomplish our goal!
The Sunday Campers raised $650 by selling jewellery at the Bazaar, auctioning an original painting, holding a jelly bean guessing contest and hosting a mini bazaar after church. The campers chose to support building a well in the Phillipines, getting children out of coal mines in Columbia, a stable income for farmers in Guatemala, fueling empowerment with biogas in the Congo, power from sun in Zimbabwe and the Global emergency response fund. These projects give others help and hope around the world.