HELPING HANDS ANNUAL REPORT

As 2007 ends it is always good to step back and reflect on the past years highs and lows.

 

MISSION STATEMENT

"Welcome new parishioners and to help the parish community in times of need with meals, flowers, prayers and cards"

 

2007 has been a busy and productive year in many ways. Our accomplishments include:

Assisted in preparing 10 funeral receptions for our Parish.

Provided meals for Priests while Father McCain was in Rome.

Our Memorial Mass was beautiful and over 100 parishioners attended Mass and Breakfast.

Over 100 parishioners attended Lenten Soup Supper. This is a very welcome event in our parish and is accomplished completely by our volunteers.

Easter plants were delivered to 40 shut-in parishioners. Plants are hand delivered by our volunteers. Lily plants are also delivered to each of the Care Facilities in Novato.

Thanksgiving Outreach provided 47 families boxes of food and a gift certificate to purchase Thanksgiving Dinner. All foods were donated from Our Lady of Loretto's School and you, our generous parishioners. St. Vincent de Paul Society generously provided Gift Certificates for Thanksgiving.

Christmas Outreach provided gifts to 41 parish families, who needed extra help this Christmas season. Families are provided two gifts of toys for each child plus a gift of clothing for each child. Families also received Gift Certificates for food. All the donations came directly from all of you. 

Your Helping Hands Organization has always had a strong commitment to provide our Services and we thank you for your past support.

Entering 2008 we are faced with a serious challenge. For the past several years it has become difficult to manage the many services we provide due to dwindling volunteers. Our volunteers are getting older, working full time, etc. Our Outreach Programs are in grave jeopardy as we continue to solicit volunteers in the Church bulletin with no responses.

In the past you have been helpful by donating goods and money.

But now "We need YOU". We need new volunteers and former volunteers to come forward to help us maintain our work. Our volunteer base needs to be regenerated; we need you to join us in order to support our Parish Community as God would want us to. We are sorry to say we will not be able to provide our current Services without additional Volunteers.

It is such a good feeling to be part of this organization. Our successes warm our Hearts and Spirit - won't you join us?

Please contact:

Diane DeMartini - 415-232-5596

Patsy Berg - 415-897-0192