Over the past six years, more than 500 members and friends of the congregation have participated in FAPC Serves. This day of service has become one of the most looked-forward-to Outreach events of the year. We are expanding our opportunities this year to include the collection of donated items prior to May 4, and two additional service opportunities after May 4, so that everyone can participate, even if you can’t make the day-of!

On May 4, we’ll begin with registration at 9 am in the LaDane Williamson Christian Education Center. Following breakfast and a commissioning service, all volunteers will meet with their team leaders, head to their work sites and work until early afternoon.

UPDATE: Contact Lance Hurst directly if you have not registered but would like to participate. Don’t bother with the registration form!

What’s this event about?

FAPC Serves was created by the Outreach Committee in 2013 as a means of:

• Encouraging community service.
• Highlighting the multi-generational aspect of service.
• Strengthening our ties with a local partner in ministry.
• Demonstrating the love of Christ by volunteering time and talent.
• Learning from the organizations we partner with.
• Experiencing God in new and exciting ways.

Here’s how you can be part of it:

STEP 1 - CHOOSE A WORK SITE

Scroll down to read about the available projects, and think about where you would like to participate. You may participate individually or as a family. (Children under age 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.)

Please note that we have two opportunities that do not take place on May 4.

STEP 2 - SIGN UP ONLINE

On the sign-up form, we will ask you to identify your top three choices of where you will spend the day. We will make every effort to assign you to the site of your choice, but it’s first come/first served, so sign up early! We will send out assignments the week of April 29.

The online registration deadline has passed. Contact Lance Hurst directly to sign up.

STEP 3 - CHECK IN & GO!

For those serving on May 4, please plan to arrive at the LaDane Williamson Christian Education Center by 9 am on Saturday. (Except for Operation Exodus volunteers; see below.) You will check in with your team and receive your t-shirt that morning.

Questions?

Write to us at [email protected].

If you would like to donate supplies for LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness, homebound older adults, or incarcerated adults, please take a look at our list below, and bring your donations by Sunday, April 28.

Donations needed:

• Plug-in night light
• Fragrance-fee hand lotion
• Soap dispenser
• Herbal tea
• Chocolate (individually wrapped)
• Tissue paper
• Water bottle or bottled water
• Pouches of chicken
• Pouches of dried fruit and nuts
• Chocolate bars (high quality if possible, for more nutrients)
• New socks (unisex)
• A small, new journal or notebook and a Sharpie
• Travel-size body wash, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, lip balm
• Sanitary supplies
• Reusable drawstring bags
• Tooth brushes, toothpaste*, mouthwash*
• Shaving cream*
• Disposable razors
• Bar soap—regular size
• Stick deodorant
• Lotion*
• Baby oil*
• Shampoo/conditioner*

  *Maximum size of these items is 16 oz.

Care Package & Art Work Site
Saturday, May 4
This work site includes an educational component: Volunteers will hear from our mission partners Parity, Search & Care and the Church of Gethsemane, as well as CROP Walk, about the work they do and the people they serve. There will be several stations set up to prepare care packages for homebound older adults, LGBTQ homeless youth and incarcerated adults. An art station will provide space for creative types to make posters for the CROP Walk (which will launch from Fifth Avenue on Sunday, May 5, at 2 pm), as well as cards expressing care and love to be included in the care packages.

• Site leaders: Marian Edmonds-Allen (Parity), Ann Bushe, Carmen Guzman
• Volunteers needed: 15-20
• Age restrictions: None

Holmes Presbyterian Camp
Saturday, May 4
Volunteers will be cleaning up the site around Denton Lake, clearing brush, removing downed trees, picking up deadwood, opening up the overgrowth and trail work. There is work for people of all skill levels, but if you have experience with a chain saw, feel free to bring it! Bring work gloves, yard equipment, a filled water bottle (as the water is already turned off to that part of the camp). Dress for cold-weather work. Lunch will be provided. Park at Robinson. Please let Holmes know you’re coming by calling (845) 878-6383. Read more here.

• Volunteers needed: Unlimited
• Age restrictions: None

Jan Hus Presbyterian Church and Neighborhood House
Saturday, May 4
Volunteers will gather at Jan Hus from about 10:30 am to 2 pm to help Jan Hus with its transition from its current location.

• Site leader: Jocelyn Hinman
• Volunteers needed: 10
• Age restrictions: None

Womankind
Saturday, May 4
Womankind’s Emergency Housing needs volunteers to prepare garden beds for the spring at one of its shelters for women and children.

• Site leader: Hannah Bell
• Volunteers needed: 6-10
• Age restrictions: 13 and older

David B. Skinner Shelter
Saturday, May 4
Volunteers will help with cleaning and decorating to make the shelter not only nice and tidy, but also welcoming.

• Site leader: Séamus Campbell
• Volunteers needed: 5-10
• Age restrictions: High school and up

From Pew to Pew
Saturday, May 4
This activity is an opportunity to retrieve plastic Easter eggs that have gone undiscovered since being hidden on Egg Hunt Saturday, and juice glasses overlooked following the last communion service; pick up bulletins and cards stashed behind and inside hymnals in the pew racks; replace broken pencils; organize the pew Bibles and hymnals; and sort the envelopes and cards available in the pew backs. This thorough spring cleaning will help our those who maintain the pews week to week and will be our gift to those who worship with us.

• Site leader: Lynn Wishart
• Volunteers needed: 5-15
• Age restrictions: Age 10 and older

Meals on Heels
Saturday, May 4
This volunteer team will gather in Bonnell Hall to prepare and deliver meals to the homebound elderly in our neighborhood.

• Site leader: Josie Lawrence
• Volunteers needed: 8
• Age restrictions: 13 and older

Operation Exodus
Saturday, May 4
Our volunteer team will lead a field day for 50-60 children in Washington Heights. Volunteers should wear play clothes (keeping in mind you might get wet from the water-balloon fun!) Activity at this work site will begin at 9 am at 21 Wadsworth Ave. and conclude around 1 pm. Volunteers should meet at the work site instead of coming to the church.

• Site leader: Jeff Yao
• Volunteers needed: 20
• Age restrictions: High school and older

CROP Walk
Sunday, May 5 • 1:30 to 4 pm
This is an opportunity to learn about, raise awareness of, and stand in solidarity with those experiencing food insecurity. We will gather outside the church at 1:30 pm and begin the walk at 2. Everyone who’s interested can participate, even if you cannot complete the entire walk (from Fifth Avenue to First Presbyterian Church on 12th Street). Feel free to walk part of the way, or none of the way, and meet us at the finish line!

• Site leader: Carmen Guzman
• Volunteers needed: Unlimited
• Age restrictions: None

Hands Along the Nile
Tuesday, May 7 • 9 am to 12 pm
Volunteers will help unpack and set up items for the annual Egyptian Craft Sale. The handicrafts are made by artisans at the Association for the Protection of the Environment (APE), a job skills training program for women living and working in the garbage collectors community in Cairo. All products are made of clean, recycled materials. We will start at 9 am and end no later than noon. This will be the 10th Egyptian Craft sale at Fifth Avenue. Feel free to stick around shop! The sale is on from 1 to 7 pm on Tuesday, May 7, and Wednesday, May 8.

• Site leader: Lynn Wishart
• Volunteers needed: 5
• Age restrictions: 18 and older