|
|
|
| Blessed Bloomers IX ONGOING Lancaster Hometown
|
The basic needs of the homeless and poor present themselves to us as we strive to walk in Father Mychal's footsteps. Each project is inspired by a specific need - a cold woman on the street, a man with no shoes, a baby three days in the same diaper, or a man with a can of food with no way to open it. We attempt to meet those basic needs while restoring dignity with love. And each time we do, a new project is born! Through the generosity and love of donors from across the country and around the world, Mychal's Message has collected and distributed over 200,000 new items to the homeless and poor - items such as diapers, toothpaste, socks, underwear, hats, gloves, blankets, winter coats, teddy bears, sneakers, pencils, rosaries, bananas, baby formula, pillows, towels, umbrellas, soap and one can opener! A complete list of items distributed can be found here. These items have been
distributed in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Florida,
Oklahoma and Iraq. Donors have come from across the US and around the
world. Through our projects, we have seen - and we believe - that one
person can make a difference.
Mychal’s Message—the ministry—began with a simple pair of socks. And it was during that first sock distribution in New York City that a dark-skinned, round-faced man leaned in to quietly ask us, “Do you happen to have any underwear?” That man sparked the creation of a project we now know as Blessed Bloomers. And because of that man, we have returned to the streets of New York City every year on September 11 with packages full of Blessed Bloomers. We do it for them. For those we’ve met and those we’ve yet to meet. For those whose lives we have touched and for those whose lives have touched ours. For the little girls who were having dinner with their grandfather at a soup kitchen in Philadelphia—they asked us how much the underwear cost because they wondered if they could buy some (we told them they were free). For the man who ran from Penn Station with his cane and flip flops, out of breath, because he’d heard we were there with underwear. For the volunteer who filled his golf team’s van with underwear and delivered them to the Friars of the Atonement at Graymoor—only to find a Franciscan brother in the chapel praying for underwear to give to the homeless men served by the friars. For the priest who filled his chaplain’s car with underwear to bring to the same homeless men and women Father Mychal had loved and cared for. For every man, woman and child who has donated underwear, socks, T-shirts, and money to buy them—those donorswe could not do without. We call this Blessed Bloomers. And we do it for them. Please help us. How You Can Help:
Donate Funds Online donations are accepted through
Network for Good. Please click the link below and specify "Blessed Bloomers" in the "Designation" line on the Network for Good
website. You can also send checks made payable to "Mychal's Message" to
the address below.
Donate Bloomers!
Mychal's Message
Ongoing Projects  Prayer Bears Because Fr. Mychal knew the important task of a Teddy Bear February 2005 - ongoing Decsription: When the Teddy Bear project first came to us, we had no idea that it was something our dear Father Mychal had already planted in our souls. Soon after 9-11, a Pennsylvania woman began sewing teddy bears. After placing one of our prayer cards with each one, she gave them away to homeless children living in shelters. As our own friend and artist, Scott, was working on illustrations for a children's book last year (coming soon!), he painted a picture of Father Mychal with a man suffering from AIDS. He was given a reference photo to work from, and then painted Father Mychal handing the sick man a teddy bear. As Scott painted, he had no idea the story behind the teddy bear. (Father Mychal used to order them in bulk quantities to give away 
to those suffering from AIDS. He wanted them to have something to
clutch when they
had nothing or no one to hold on to.) Weeks later, Shannon received a special gift from someone on our mailing list -
a handmade teddy bear - to thank her for all the work she had done with the
homeless. Soon thereafter, another woman got involved and began
sewing teddy bears as well. As time passed, more women got involved
and began purchasing them. Some women even hand-knitted little hats
and scarves to put on their bears. Teddy bears were given away to
children living in shelters in
New York,
New Jersey,
Pennsylvania and Florida. Because Father Mychal believed how important
the task of a teddy bear was, so then do we.
(photo)
Every child needs a teddy bear. Objective: With your help, we will give teddy bears to homeless children living in shelters throughout the year. In this project, we will collect new (store-bought or hand-made) teddy bears. One of our prayer cards containing Fr. Mychal's prayer will be attached to each bear, making it a "prayer bear." It is our hope that the words, "Lord take me where you want me to go" printed on each prayer card will help the bears get to where the Lord (and Fr. Mychal) wants them to go.
How You Can Help:
Donate Bears!
Mychal's Message
Donate Funds Results to Date:
As of
January 2009, over 1,100 teddy bears have made their way to our mailbox.
They have been distributed to homeless children living in Lancaster,
Harrisburg, Philadelphia, NYC, and impoverished AIDS victims and their
children at Francis House in Camden, NJ.
Description: Through a conversation with Fr. Michael Duffy of St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia, PA when we were distributing socks, we learned that one of the greatest needs among homeless families is diapers. Imagine a child having to go sometimes 3 days with no diaper change. For some homeless mothers and fathers who can't afford diapers, this is the reality. Objective: With your help, we plan to collect and deliver disposable diapers to shelters and centers serving homeless mothers, fathers, and children, so that all children will have dry, clean diapers. How you can help:
Donate Bloomers Mychal's Message
Donate Funds Results to date: With the help of St. Leo the Great Church's Armata Bianca (a children's rosary group) and members from Steadfast (a contemporary music group), more than 15,000 diapers were collected in the first few months of this project (2002). Among the first to receive the diaper donations were Mom's House in Lancaster, PA and St. Francis of Assisi Church in Long Beach Island, NJ. Additional diapers were delivered to the Interfaith Shelter in Harrisburg, PA (run by Catholic Charities); Project Rainbow in Philadelphia, PA (run by Sisters of the Holy Redeemer); Fox House (run by Sisters of Charity), South Bronx Pregnancy Centers (supported by Father Benedict Groeschel) in New York City, and the Mother Seton Outreach Program in Emmitsburg, MD. As of January 2006, more than 17,500 diapers have been collected and distributed. During 2005, a generous family donated $25 each month for the purchase of diapers for babies in need. On September 17, 2005, 15 cases of diapers were packaged as “Blessed Bloomers for Babies” and given to St. Francis Inn, Kensington, Philadelphia, PA.
Description:
Mother Theresa once said, “Do small things with great love.” In this
project, we will collect “small things” - personal-size toiletries - and
distribute them to the homeless. Objective: “Do small things with great love.” Collect and distribute “small things” in the form of personal-size toiletries to homeless shelters. We are collecting soap, shampoo conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, powder, deodorant, lotion, or any other toiletries. These “Tiny Treasures” will bring “great love” to the homeless. How You Can Help:
Donate Treasures
Donate Funds
Results to Date:
As of August 2007, more than
13,700 personal size toiletries have been collected and distributed. These “tiny
treasures” as we call them are so important to those who are in need of a
toothbrush, a shaver, or a can of deodorant. We have seen how these
simple, inexpensive items have literally changed the lives of the homeless
and poor.
Description: Your tax-deductible donations allow us to continue sharing Father Mychal’s message with others – a simple, interdenominational message that has crossed barriers and continents. That message, printed on our prayer cards, T-shirts, sweatshirts, books, CDs and tote bags has reached tens of thousands of men, women and children, allowing them to heed Father Mychal’s words and let the Lord take them where He wants them to go. Visit our Sharing the Message page for additional details. Objective: Provide a unique way for YOU to help US share the message: Mychal's Message through clothing and other merchandise. Lancaster Hometown Projects
Description: The work we have done in New York City and Philadelphia has made us aware of the homelessness right in our own community. Objective:
In this project, Mychal’s Message will use the money raised from local
fundraisers (lemonade stands, concession stands, etc.) to bring special
meals to our local shelters. How You Can Help: Since this is a local project, we simply ask for your prayers. If you would like to hold a concession stand in your town, please contact us for details. Results to Date:
January, 2009 – Catholic Worker House, Lancaster, PA. Dozens of men’s and women’s winter coats were provided to Catholic Worker House for distribution to homeless men and women during their week long overnight shelter program. December 25, 2008 – Crispus Attucks, Lancaster, PA. Residents were treated to muffins, donuts, milk and orange juice on Christmas morning, along with gifts and toys for the children and individually wrapped gifts for the men and women. December 24, 2008 – The Vineyard, Lancaster, PA. Christmas stockings filled with personal toiletries, socks and gloves were given to the residents at the Vineyard in Lancaster. Several residents who were without a coat also received a warm new winter coat. October, 2008 – Hands on House, Lancaster, PA. Mychal’s Message provided a day of fun for 100 kindergartners at one of the poorest schools in Lancaster City. Students were transported by bus to the Hands on House Museum in Lancaster where they spent the morning learning, playing and simply having fun. September, 2008 – Homeless Student Project, Lancaster, PA. Dozens of children’s and teen’s winter coats were provided to the Lancaster Homeless Student Project for distribution to students registered in their program. December 25, 2007 - Crispus Attucks, Lancaster, PA. Residents were treated to muffins, donuts, milk and orange juice on Christmas morning, along with gifts and toys for the children, and candy bars and McDonald's gift certificates for the adults. May 1, 2007 - Crispus Attucks, Lancaster, PA. Residents at the shelter were treated to sausage and meatball sandwiches, candy bars, cookies and muffins. December 25, 2006 - Crispus Attucks, Lancaster, PA. Residents were treated to muffins, donuts, milk and orange juice on Christmas morning, along with gifts and toys for the children as well as gifts for the adults. December 25, 2005, Crispus Attucks, Lancaster, PA. At 7:00 a.m. on Christmas morning, $200 worth of new children’s clothing and $350 worth of wrapped Christmas toys were delivered along with 40 $5 McDonald’s Gift Certificates and candy bars to shelter residents for Christmas. 4 dozen donuts, 1 dozen muffins and orange juice was also delivered for breakfast on Christmas morning. “Clarise,” a mom of 4 children explained how she lost her apartment the day before due to a fire. She had no money and nowhere to go. It was difficult explaining to her 8 and 10 year old sons that they would be in a shelter for Christmas We told her that Santa didn’t forget those children, and God certainly hadn’t forgotten her. The boys received remote control cars and a game and her 2 small daughters received dolls in strollers. Through the generosity of Mikie Madden’s mother (“Mikie’s Gift,” December 2004), Clarise also received a $100 Walmart gift card. “Without Mychal’s Message,“ a resident told us, “those children would have had nothing to open on Christmas morning.“ Two other children at the shelter received gifts as well. December 14, 2005, Crispus Attucks, Lancaster, PA. A Pizza night was held through the generosity of funds raised by the 8th Grade Class of St. Leo the Great, Lancaster, PA. Approximately 35 men, women and children enjoyed pepperoni and cheese pizzas, soda, homemade cookies and candy canes. And blonde-haired, fair skinned 18 month old “Hailley” was all smiles as she enjoyed her cheese pizza and candy cane that night. August 2, 2005, Crispus Attucks, Lancaster, PA. A McDonald’s night was held where approximately 50 men, women and children all enjoyed Big Macs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, McChicken sandwiches, French fries, salads, and even McDonald’s cookies. Everyone was grateful, and one guest told us, “It is so nice to feel full.” A little girl called “Peaches” was celebrating her 2nd birthday that night, and we were especially grateful to be a small part of it.
|
|
Home | Projects | About Fr. Mychal | About Mychal's Message | Donate Contact us: info@mychalsmessage.org Mychal's
Message logo and all graphic design graciously donated by
M. Scott Oatman
Graphic Design and Illustration.
Website development and maintenance donated by
UtterClarity. Mychal's Message, Inc. is registered as a charitable organization with the Department of State's Bureau of Charitable Organizations under the Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes Act, 10 P.S. Section 16.2 et seq., and is authorized to solicit charitable contributions under the conditions and limitations set forth under the Act. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State, Bureau of Charitable Organizations
|
|
