This is the organization I spoke about @ the Erie Ultreya on 10/5, thanks to Prez Joe's continuing efforts to have 4th Day opportunities shared.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/183012959825/

The Community Outreach Group has for the past several years hosted an annual Clothing Distribution Party, bringing about
the opportunity for free clothing to be given to our area's neediest of the needy. In addition to the clothing, visitors have enjoyed a free hot meal. Toys have also been available for distribution by Santa and/or some of his special helpers.

The Community Outreach Group began as a small effort in Ripley, NY, in which our present leadership couple worked with their neighbors, the local Kiwanis Club, and the NY State Troopers' Toys for Tots to gather coats, clothes, and toys, which were distributed in the local school gym to 30-40 individuals per year. Cookies and Welch's drinks were provided as attendees enjoyed (pre-arranged) gifts from Santa.

The event as we know it today was started by a group of men who had participated in a Cursillo (www.ErieCursillo.org) retreat weekend together in April 1998, and wanted to reach out to those less fortunate. The gentleman who began the efforts in Ripley, NY, was among the men who made that Cursillo together. After this gent shared about the efforts of he and his wife in Ripley, NY, the other guys were intrigued and wanted to recreate the same event here in the Erie area. The scripture passage "Matthew 25:40" best sums up our motivation to assist those in need of assistance: ".....whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me."

The first local giveaway was held in 1999 at St. Mark Church in Lawrence Park and consisted of about 300 coats that were given away to about 100 people. The response has continued to grow and grow. In more recent years, an average of 2400 individuals have passed through St. Patrick Church's Cauley Auditorium to receive the coats, clothing, toys, and a hot meal. In 2011, due to the sale of Cauley Auditorium, we were welcomed by the parishioners of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church @ West 22nd & Peach to continue our event there.

As we approach what would be the 2012 event, there are questions as to whether or not we can pull off the massive event as those of us who have come to be involved in it know and love. There are critical tasks that require an infusion of fresh, talented individuals who possess very strong leadership skills. The potential for difficulty in an event of this magnitude is enormous, and such difficulty has been avoided due to the strong presence of one of our founding leaders. The desire to continue doing what we have been doing for the “least of these” has been competing with “Father Time” for many years now. It is time to either replace our lead floor supervisor, or adjust the vision of tasks that the Community Outreach Group carries out.

Just as the Core Board had been anticipating the sale of Cauley Auditorium and the need to respond that need, the same has been the case given the fact that the Cursillo that brought this Core Board together occurred back in 1998, and “Father Time” has been present. In addition to the natural aging process, several of our members have experienced some very significant, life changing events, which has limited their availability to be as attentive to this special ministry as they would like to be.

Thus, options have already been generated as to what the tasks of the Community Outreach Group may evolve into. We met 09/29/12 at the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel @ St. Joseph/Bread of Life Church to consult with our "true group leader and master," and met afterwards to generate options for our future. We will meet soon to finalize our plans for the remainder of 2012.

To make it VERY CLEAR, there will be opportunities available within the Community Outreach Group to, as we say to those who have completed a Cursillo weekend, "live out your 4th Day," which simply means seeking to make the world a better place through positive actions. Whether our tasks are altered or not, there will be a place for you if you want to be observant of Matthew 25:40 and care for the “least of these.”