Mercy House Appreciation Event

If you volunteered at The Coldweather Shelter this season, please consider coming to the appreciation event sponsored by Mercy House.
"Below is an invitation to those who served."


Greetings!
Because volunteers are so sweet we invite you to come have a treat at the Mercy House
1st Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event

Date: Thursday, May 7, 2009
Time: 6-8pm
Location: Emmanuel House Transitional Shelter
807 N. Garfield St. Santa Ana, CA 92701 (Map)

We would like to thank and recognize all of the dedicated volunteers who gave their time and talents to the OC Cold Weather Emergency Shelter Program this past winter.

We plan to have sweet treats, a motivational speaker, and will have awards to share.


With Heartfelt Thanks

Please email me at glenda@embracehumanity.com if you are attending and I will let them know how many will be there.
Thank you all for your loving presence. You make such a difference. Glenda

Outreach Plans 2009

Thank you to those who attended the Outreach Planning Meeting. If you didn't have a chance to make it here is a recap of the plans that were made for the upcoming year.
*Continuing Projects: Santa Ana and Fullerton Coldweather Shelter:
Team Lead Judy Carroll

Spring and Fall Yard Sale
Team Leads Sharon Miles/Cordell Svengalis/Judy and Glenda

Back to School Back Packs
Team Leads Jan Bates Terrie Lamar

Walk of Hope Hiromi Hiraoka

New Projects: Runner Program (Tennis Shoe Drive)
Team Lead Carol Marshall

Cell Phone Collection
Team Lead Judy Carroll

OC Animal Care Services
Team Lead Dianne Maresh

If anyone is interested in joining any teams email me and I will put you in touch with the team leads. If you have more ideas or passions you would like to take charge of please let me know.

Will You Serve?

This Sunday evening Jan 25th we will be meeting in the Common Ground parking lot at 4:30 pm to carpool to the Santa Ana Armory. We will be serving homeless families from 5 to 8 pm. We have comitted 10 people to be there and not all of them will be able to come this month. If you would like to serve this month please show up on Sunday. Thank you.

Outreach Planning Session for 2009

Mark your calendars now ~ Sunday, February 15, 11:45 am, in the Studio at Common
Ground

• It is time once again to plan our Outreach projects for the entire year
  
• 2009 presents us with increased opportunities to serve
• Please join us!
• Bring new ideas
• Bring fresh ideas for existing projects
• Take the lead on a project
• Be part of the team
• Every voice counts

A New Opportunity

Something new will be added this season. The first three Sundays in December we will focus on collecting items to meet personal need of those living on the streets. Items will be donated to Mercy House for their emergency shelter program. Simply bring one or several of the featured items each Sunday. We invite you to participate in the way that calls to your heart and fits your own budget:

December 7: Undie Sunday
New cotton socks ~ size 'tiny toddler' through 'great big man'
New cotton panties and briefs ~ diapers, Pull- ups, children's sizes, men & women ~ size medium thru XX- large
New cotton t-shirts - all sizes through XX- large

December 14: Health & Hygiene Sunday
Travel size personal care products
(Remember, these folks need to take all their possessions with them wherever they go)
Please visit the 'tiny size' section of your local CVS or similar store for ideas

December 21: Mittens & Mufflers Sunday
Mittens & gloves (all sizes)
Warm scarves, knit caps, ear muffs
Sweatshirts (all sizes)

Holiday Outreach

Along with our ongoing commitment to serve each month at the Cold Weather Shelter in Santa Ana, we will work with SPIN this Christmas to make certain that each new family in their transitional living program is given an opportunity to have a Christmas tree and all the trimmings if they would like to receive one. This wonderful Christmas Tree outreach is in its fourth season. Jacqueline Miller has taken the Team Lead again this year. Look for sign-up sheets the first week of December

Yard Sale October 11

Calling all Common Grounders
WE NEED YOU AND YOUR STUFF

It is that time again where Common Grounders come together for the fall yard sale at Santa Clara. We are in need of your second hand stuff. If you have items to donate please bring them by after October 1 and they will be graciously received. (And so will you)
Sign up after Sunday service to be a part of the Yard Sale Team. There are 2 shifts available. 6-9 am and 9-12. Of course you are always welcome to be here the whole time. You can email me at Glenda@embracehumanity.com. This sale will benefit the upcoming move. Thank you for the continued support of your spiritual community.

Serving Homeless Families

We just returned from a meeting at the "Mercy House" www.mercyhouse.net, the organization which is now running the Armory Emergency Shelter program this winter. The program provides up to 400 beds a night for the homeless in Santa Ana and Fullerton. Volunteers will assist in set up, clean up and giving out donations. We will serve on Sunday evenings in Santa Ana from 5-7 pm on the last Sunday of the month beginning in November and ending in April. We have committed to bringing 10 volunteers. Please let us know if you are able to step forward and be a part of this service team. Please sign up after services on Sunday or email glenda@embracehumanity.com.

Common Ground joins SPIN at Swim Party.

What an incredible day Sunday was. Families from SPIN and many Common Grounders spent the afternoon at Common Ground Santa Clara swimming, visiting and getting to know each other. A craft table was set up where quotes for the "Walk of Hope" www.bethecause.org were being painted and decorated. Hot dogs and ice cream were served and each child was given a filled backpack for the new school year.

Thank you to everyone who was part of making this happen. The smiles on the kid’s faces and the gratitude of the parents were enough to open any heart. I spoke with a mother of three kids who could hardly get the words out. “I don’t know what I would have done without the backpacks this year. I am working full time and barely making ends meet. You are angels.”

Please visit the table outside after service on Sunday. The thank you cards from SPIN families will be available to see. We are making a difference in the lives of these families and they in turn our making a difference in ours. How blessed we are.

SPIN and Common Ground Pool Party

Mark your calendars for Sunday August 17th. The families of SPIN are invited to a pool party and barbecue at Common Ground Santa Clara. This will be a great time for getting to know the families we have been involved with for the last three years.
Starts at 4PM. Common Ground is bringing the food.
The backpacks will be given to the kids after the party. Thank you to Hiromi Hiraoka and MaryAnne Vaccaro for working with SPIN to make this a special day for everyone.

Open your heart to a child: Back to School Backpacks for Kids of SPIN

Thanks to Jan Bates and Terrie Lamar the fall outreach program is in full swing.
We are asking the community to buy a backpack and fill it with goodies for children going back to school this fall. There will be names to choose and easy to follow instructions after service on Sunday. Look for the display. Please join your community in making a difference for these SPIN kids.

Seeds of Light grateful to Common Ground

Since its inception in the fall of 2004, Common Ground has regularly given funds to qualified organizations serving those who are disadvantaged and working towards sustainability and empowerment.

One of our favorite projects is Seeds of Light, whose mission is to support the poorest of the poor and, in particular, to respond to those families affected by HIV/AIDS infections. Specific attention is paid to establishing a support infrastructure for the growing number of children at risk, who are primarily orphans.

We are pleased to share the following letter of acknowledgment from Shirley Martin, founder of a local Seeds of Light group supported by many individuals from our spiritual community.


Dear Judy and Glenda and All Common Ground Members,
Miracles are happening and you are part of making these miracles! I could not wait to forward this email from Seeds of Light. Thank you so much for supporting the Seeds of Light Chocolate-Dipped strawberries fundraiser for Mother's Day. The Seeds of Light Team sends bushels of gratitude to everyone at Common Ground. Your hearts are full of love! We appreciate ALL of your gifts to the orphans in S. Africa! What a Difference You Make!!
Love and appreciation,
Shirley Martin

----- Original Message -----
To: shirley martin
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:06 AM
Subject: Fence making machine!!!!

Dear Shirley, I just wanted to share my good news - we have located a fence making machine supplier. When the man in Swaziland heard the story of the unemployed women in the village coming together to help the children who were suffering and then the story of you raising the money for the machine by selling chocolate covered strawberries on Mother's day, he had to get into the giving act. He is selling us the machine for exactly $1,000 and he is transporting it for free. I told the women yesterday and they were wide eyed. I don't think you can imagine what it means to them to have people they don't even know way on the other side of the world helping them. When it arrives I promise to send pictures, should arrive next week! Needless to say I am thrilled for everyone. Thank you so very much. with deep gratitude and appreciation of your generosity,
Judy
livinglowveld.com
mapusha.org
mapushrooibokme.blogspot.com
27 13 748 0481

Seeds of Light will be a featured non-profit organization at the upcoming Earthdance 2008 celebration at Common Ground on September 13. Representatives from the local Seeds of Light organization will be on hand to share information about their work and to provide a brief overview of their mission and vision.

Don't miss it!

We make a difference. Together is better.