 Here is an update on some of the highlights and activites of the 2009 Seasons of Service Harvest Walk On October 4th, 1600 volunteers gathered at Franklin Park to join in the annual 5K Walk/Run for HOPE worldwide and the programs it supports—locally, nationally and around the globe. $60,000 was raised through this effort. Thanksgiving Food Drives Throughout the Boston Area, volunteers donated food and turkeys to needy families. On the North Shore and from the Merrimack Valley areas, over 120 families were provided with Thanksgiving meals and $2800 was raised to purchase much needed food through the Merrimack Valley Food Bank. Volunteers South of Boston helped serve 545 people at soup kitchens. The Framingham Food Pantry provided food for Thanksgiving to 320 families and were recently awarded a grant of $20,000 to buy needed food items. Christmas Gifts and Parties For many years the volunteers from the Boston Church of Christ have partnered with the MA Department of Children and Families to provide gifts and parties for children and teens. This year, foster children in the following areas will have a happy holiday because of hundreds of donations by disciples: 75 foster children cared for through DCF Brockton. 110 foster teens from Lowell & Lawrence will be hosted at a holiday party in partnership with the Haverhill & Lowell DCF. 75 children will be sponsored by the South/S. Central Region of the church. The church has given a grant to support a holiday lunch for families who are adopting foster children through DCF. 50 children will be helped during the holidays through Casa Iris and the Spanish Region. 50—100 children connected with the MA Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in Lowell will receive Christmas gifts. Foster children in the Framingham area will receive gifts through the annual toy drive for DCF. Outrageous Fundraising 24 Adventurous disciples and friends played basketball for 24 continuous hours and raised $24,000 for the Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE in Cambodia. This was a new event and we hope to see similar “extreme” fundraising events in 2010. # 1 Partner HOPE worldwide and the volunteers from the Boston Church of Christ have been recognized as the American Red Cross #1 Partner of the Year. During MLK Day weekend in January of this year, disciples took part in distributing fire prevention information to over 26,000 homes in the greater Boston area. Home fires remain the #1 disaster in the US and the ARC has been very thankful for our support each year, which has set the pace for the rest of the nation.  MLK Day Celebration Scholarships for Servants 2009 saw the initiation of a scholarship program to benefit high school seniors in foster care and one senior disciple from the church. Zoe and Mack Strong awarded the 4 scholarships to winners of an essay contest on the topic, “How can I Serve”, based on Dr. King’s statement “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve” and Jesus’ teaching in Mark 10.
What's coming in 2010 - On Jan. 16, 2010 we will once again partner with the ARC to distribute fire safety information.
- On Jan. 17, 2010, 4 more scholarships will be awarded to foster teens with winning essays.
- The Harvest 5K will be held at Franklin Park on October 3, 2010 and will include a 10K race.
- Fundraising packets will be available in January 2010 to allow disciples to plan their year of fund-raising in advance.
- Educational/inspirational materials will be available to help families with a charitable focus.
- Additional service and fundraising opportunities will occur throughout the year, such as a Spring day of service in local towns.
- Thanksgiving food drives
- Christmas toy drives and parties to support MA DCF and other agencies who serve needy teens and children
- Establishment of a “Saturday Academy” to mentor and tutor needy children in the Boston area
- Ongoing participation with the American Red Cross to aid people in times of crisis and fire prevention
- MLK Day of Service on January 16, 2010. Cities served will be Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Dorchester, New Bedford and Worcester.
- MLK Celebration Worship Service and Scholarship Essay Contest Awards at Milton High School on January 17th, 2010.
- Support of worldwide programs in partnership with HOPE worldwide.
- Monthly Benevolence contributions to aid members and families of the BCC in times of crises (70+ family units supported in 2009).
- Support of needy orphans in Romania and adoption fund available for families in the New England churches considering adoption.
Romanian Foster Care Program The Romanian Foster Care Program, which aids the children of the former Saftica Home, is managed by a group of dedicated disciples who visit the orphans in their living environments, maintain personal contact with them and support them as needed. Here is a snapshot of some of the children and young adults:
- Christina is a 12 year old who is living with a foster family and doing well in school. She has adjusted nicely to her foster family after leaving the Saftica home.
- Florin Marcu is a 12 year old boy who lives in a foster care center, similar to Saftica, with 14 other children. He is in 7th grade and doing well in school. His emotional needs are great because he has no family.
- Ramona Dobrica is 20 years old and is working hard. She receives help from HOPE for accommodation while she is studying and is well on the way to standing on her own feet and being well integrated into society.
- Mariana Suiu is 22 years old and a great disciple. She lives on campus and receives some support from HOPE for her expenses. She is planning to graduate in 2012.
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