Back-to-School Items are Needed

It’s that time of year again.  The children are gearing up for a new school year.  And we need your help collecting school supplies for underprivileged families in Central Florida. The Center is particularly in need of backpacks, lunch bags/boxes, notebook paper, and binders.  Items may be dropped off at any one of our branches including Winter Park, Ocoee, and downtown Orlando.  For more information or directions to one of our three offices, please call 407-425-2523.

Get a preview of the new Lord & Taylor before it opens to the public!  On Wednesday, September 4, Lord & Taylor at The Florida Mall will hold a charity day which allows you to shop at the new department store before the official Grand Opening!  You must have a ticket to join in the fun.  Tickets can be purchased for $5 from the Christian Service Center.  Please call us at 407-425-2523 for more information.

If fighting crowded malls is not for you, here’s another great opportunity for you.  Next time you log on the Internet to do a little online shopping, make your first stop.  You can shop at your favorite stores including Eddie Bauer, J. Crew, Staples, Disney, Hallmark, and many others!  And once you select the Christian Service Center as your favorite charity, we will receive a portion of the proceeds.  Happy shopping!

As part of the Center’s 30th anniversary, a mural will be erected in the downtown Daily Bread building.  We want you to be a part of our history!  Customized bricks, engraved with your name or special message, will be included in the mural.  Sponsorships begin at $75.  Please don’t miss this opportunity to show your support for the Center!  Call 407-425-2523 for more information.  Special thanks to Alarie Design Associates, Inc. and Clear Channel Outdoor.

Volunteer Spotlight: Janet Galloway

For the past three years, Janet Galloway has been our most available and selfless volunteer.  Each Wednesday, she spends her lunch break serving the homeless at Daily Bread in downtown Orlando.

"Janet is open to doing whatever we asks of her," says Flora Ingram, who runs the Daily Bread kitchen.  "Sometimes she may serve lunch and others days she may help to sort the sandwiches."

When we are running short on volunteers, we can put in a last minute phone call to Janet and she will be here within minutes.  Frequently, Janet even recruits her co-workers from Hammond Electronics to come along and volunteer their time.

On behalf of the hundreds we serve each day in Daily Bread, thank you Janet for your dedication to our community.

Volunteer Spotlight: Will and Helen Hardy and Fletch Magee

It’s a problem we hear about all too often.  Many children outgrow their shoes before parents can afford new ones.  But there is an answer, according to three local volunteers.  Their plan is all to simple: collect slightly-used shoes for the needy in our community.  The idea began two years ago with Will and Helen Hardy (children of Marvin and Carla Hardy) and Fletcher Magee (son of Arden and Jerry Magee) as a local service project.

These children remind us that it’s never too early to become a volunteer!  The children will hold their third annual shoe drive on Thursday, August 8^th in the College Park area.

KidFOCUS: At the end of the school year, nine out of ten participating youth demonstrated healthy functioning by achieving or maintaining a yearly GPA of 2.0 or higher.  In addition, each participant had a satisfactory attendance record (less than five unexcused absences).  Many of these children are participating in our summer program.

Daily Bread: For six weeks this summer, staff from various hotels and resorts in the Central Florida area have been serving lunch in Daily Bread’s downtown kitchen.  Special thanks to the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association (CFHLA) and Jean Perakes, Human Resources Director at Doubletree Guest Suites in Lake Buena Vista, for coordinating this yearly event.

Fresh Start: The men in Fresh Start recently completed a 12-week course titled "Building Self Esteem".  This program focused on what men think about themselves and also addressed the symptoms and causes of depression.  Special thanks to the Community Foundation of Central Florida for funding this special class.

Family & Emergency Services: The Center continues to feel the affects of 9-11.  When we compare the total number of clients that we served through the first five months of 2002 to the same time period of 2001, we are still experiencing a significant increase.  In Orlando, we have served 38% more people, in Winter Park - 21% in West Orange - 20%.  All together, this means that we have served over 1,100 MORE people since the same time last year.  Demand is up on pantry items, clothing (especially men's), and financial assistance.

Share the Care: Share the Care is proud to announce the opening of the Caregiver Cooperative at 930 S. Orange Ave.  This facility will provide space to any non-profits serving caregivers.  Activities include training, support groups, counseling, and physician services.  A resource library and internet training terminal will also be on site.  Special thanks to Orlando Regional Healthcare for their partnership in this project.