AFTER MUCH DOUBT, DELIBERATION, DISCUSSION AND PRAYER (and those prayers being answered in a most special way, as detailed below), THE 2012 CLOTHING DISTRIBUTION PARTY IS IN FACT HAPPENING! WE WILL GATHER ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012, FROM 10AM UNTIL 2PM @ ST. JOHN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, WEST 22nd & PEACH STREETS, ERIE. More details appear below.

As was noted earlier in the month of October, there were questions as to whether or not we could pull off in 2012 the massive event as those of us who have come to be involved in it know and love. Numerous circumstances occurred in the lives of the core board members that were interfering with the needed attentiveness that the facilitation of the Clothing Distribution Party requires. Between the natural aging process and/or several members facing significant, life changing events, there was a need for an infusion of fresh, talented individuals to take on some significant tasks.
These realities have been discussed for several years as we kept trying year after year to “get through this year’s event.” Our prayers were seemingly being answered all along as we had been forming a very beneficial working relationship with Dr. Parris J. Baker, Director of Gannon University’s Social Work Program. From the time of our initial engagement with Dr. Baker, he had shared about the University’s “Erie-G.A.I.N.S.” Program, which stands for “Erie-Gannon Alliances to Improve Sustainability.” Erie-GAINS coordinates strategic initiatives between the University, government agencies, community organizations and businesses to stimulate positive change and improve the sustainability and viability of downtown Erie and the neighborhoods surrounding campus. At our 2010 and 2011 events, Dr. Baker provided several students from the University—from the Social Work & Criminal Justice Program to the sports teams—to assist with the effort.

FOR THE 2012 CLOTHING DISTRIBUTION PARTY, DR. PARRIS J. BAKER IS COORDINATING HIS STUDENTS FROM GANNON UNIVERSITY TO TAKE ON SOME KEY LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES. WE ARE MOST GRATEFUL THAT OUR RELATIONSHIP HAS CONTINUED TO GROW IN SUCH A SPECIAL WAY THAT ALLOWS US TO HOST THE EVENT ONCE AGAIN IN 2012.

IMPORTANT DETAILS: Patrons will enter on the NORTH SIDE of St. John's.
Volunteers will enter on the SOUTH SIDE.
Volunteers should try to be there on the day of the event by 8:30a.m. and wear RED. If you care to help set up, please come to St. John's on Wednesday, November 28th and/or Thursday November 29th between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. or Friday, November 30th between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon.

Some other individuals have answered our call for assistance, and their new roles will be a great asset as well. As we celebrate this great news about our present (in addition to some other exciting collaborations—to be detailed at another time—helping to secure the future of our ministry), our history appears here:

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.