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Care-A-Van

Christian music will be featured entertainment at 'Faith at the Fair' July 17 -- bring kids and bicycles!

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The second Annual Faith at the Fair event will held at the Genesee County Fair from 4 to 10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 17.

This will be an evening of Spirit filled music.

Admission to this event and the Fair itself is free. Parking is $5 per vehicle.

Featured will be area musicians and worship teams.
 
Taking the stage at 4 p.m. will be Salt Of Earth, followed by In The HouseJonathan and JonathanHigh Point Worship Band, Dave Holnbeck and Friends.
 
Buffalo-based contemporary gospel group, New Season will close the evening.
 
Sign-language interpreters will be signing between and during performances, and Pastor Tim Young will deliver a message.
 
Local churches and ministries will be represented along with R2R youth ministry and Care-A-Van.
 
R2R is a bicycle ministry that will be on hand to do safety checks, minor bike repairs and tune-ups. Parents are encouraged to bring their kids and bikes. R2R will also be announcing 2018 Youth Camp "Building Bridges."
 
This is an all ages and family friendly event.

Photos: Care-A-Van celebrates Christmas with residents of Washington Towers

By Howard B. Owens

This Christmas season, as in previous years, Paul and Bridget Ohlson and the rest of the folks with Care-A-Van ministeries are serving the elderly community in Batavia to help ensure they do not feel forgotten.

The ministries have prepared more than 400 gift bags and last night 74 of them were delivered to residents at Washington Towers, along with cookies and coffee and a short concert of Christmas carols. Care-A-Van will also visit 400 Towers and several local residents at their homes.

FoodLink Mobile Food Pantry

By Michele Lawson

Care-A-Van Ministries is partnering with FoodLink of Rochester and St. Paul Lutheran Church to host a mobile food pantry.

The exact food items available are not known, but fresh produce is usually available.

The Mobile Food Pantry is available to Genesee County residents only; there is no income verification required, but you must be 18 years old to pick up food from the pantry.

Please provide your own bags/cart/vehicle to transport items to your home.

ALL EVENTS ARE OUTDOORS

Event Date and Time
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Care-A-Van 2014 Free Community Cookouts

By Michele Lawson

Care-A-Van Ministries, Inc., a community-based street ministry, has just ended its 2014 cookout season at Austin Park.

These free cookouts were held every Thursday night from May 15th until September 18th and encompassed nineteen cookouts and totaled 6,426 free meals served during the summer. The number of free meals served this year increased substantially over 2013 when 4,936 meals were served. These meals, funded by the generous donations of the supporters of Care-A-Van Ministries, helped feed many children, families, and individuals throughout the summer.

Each week a different Pastor from a local church delivered an inspirational and encouraging message of hope and salvation from the Word of God. These messages were a blessing to those attending and many were able to receive prayer and spiritual support from these pastors and the various church/ministry organizations present at Austin Park.

Also in attendance during these cookouts were The Salvation Army, Living Waters Apostolic Ministry, Eagles Fountain Fellowship, United Methodist Church, Smoke Free NOW, Syd’s Characters, Total Freedom, PC Publications, MSCF, Elba Baptist Soccer, SNAP, Ride2Recovery Ministries, the Mental Health Association, GCASA , Truth Ministries, Fidelis Care, and the YMCA who generously provided a bounce house at the cookouts.

The Care-A-Van Band, composed of community members and members of a variety of church worship teams, performed classic and contemporary worship songs and melodies; additionally, the cookouts were also blessed to have local worship teams and musicians stop by and lend their musical talents to these events.

Volunteers from different churches and individuals from the community supported the cookouts by providing invaluable manpower to staff the food tables, grills, and assisted in the setup and teardown at these events.

The ministry wishes to thank the City Council and City Manager Jay Molino for supporting our cookouts at Austin Park and the work of the ministry in the community as a whole. We would also like to thank the City of Batavia Fire Department whose firefighters were always friendly and helpful during their weekly inspections; the City of Batavia Police Department officers whose professional attitude is a testament to their department; and the City of Batavia Building and Grounds department who always ensured that the pavilion, bathrooms, and gates were ready for our use.

Together we can make a difference in our City and the ministry looks forward to the 2015 cookout season and hopes that everyone had an opportunity to stop by this summer.

Care-A-Van Ministries continues to be out in the community every Thursday night during the winter in different neighborhoods of Batavia with our bus ministry; on Saturday mornings with our prayer, food, and clothing distributions; and Monday through Thursday mornings with our bus prayer and encouragement ministry. Stop by to see us if you are in need or would like to see the ministry in action!!!!

For more information on Care-A-Van Ministries, please visit our website at www.cavministries.org or visit us on Facebook.

FoodLink Mobile Food Pantry

By Michele Lawson
MOBILE FOOD PANTRY October 22nd 2014 5 pm – 7pm St. Paul Lutheran Church 31 Washington Avenue, Batavia NY 14020 Care-A-Van Ministries is partnering with St. Paul Lutheran Church and FoodLink of Rochester to host a mobile food pantry. The exact food items available are not known, but fresh produce will be available. The Mobile Food Pantry is available to Genesee County residents only.
Event Date and Time
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FoodLink Mobile Food Pantry

By Michele Lawson
YWCA/Living Waters Apostolic Ministry 301 North Street, Batavia NY Care-A-Van Ministries is partnering with FoodLink of Rochester, the YWCA, and Living Waters Apostolic Ministry to host a mobile food pantry. The exact food items available are not known, but fresh produce will be available. The Mobile Food Pantry is available to Genesee County residents only.
Event Date and Time
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10th ANNUAL EASTER CELEBRATION DINNER- FREE FOR ALL

By Robin Walters

You are all invited to the Care-A-Van Ministries 10th Annual Easter Celebration Dinner.

The dinner is being held Easter Sunday, April 4th from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM. It will be held at the Assembly of God Church at 24 North Spruce Street, Batavia. 

There is no charge. Please call Paul and Bridget at 585-343-0328 for reservations.

Last year Care-A-Van served over 90 Easter dinners! I hear the chocolate fountain is out of this world!

Also, All are invited to come and be a part of the Care-A-Van family as they celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the 10:30 AM Easter Sunday Service. Rides are available.

God Cares and So Do We!

Also if anyone is interested in helping with with the dinner, please give Care-A-Van a call at 585-343-0328

Have a Very Blessed Easter!

Rain Chases Care-A-Van Inside to the Towers

By Robin Walters

Ok, remember I wrote that we go forth rain and shine, so we headed out to the Towers for our picnic tonight. We started setting up outside, but sure enough we got chased inside. They have a wonderful community room. We were so busy, but I did get a chance to get some pictures. Bea, I felt bad that I did not get an opportunity to visit more with you! It was so great meeting you!  A special thanks from Care-A-Van to you, the council, and the residents for giving us the opportunity to share of God's love with all of you!

THE FOLKS CHECKING OUT THE GOODIES

PAUL, FOUNDER OF CARE-A-VAN SERVING THE FOLKS

BRIDGET AND RICK TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO VISIT

THE BAND WAS JUST AWESOME! I TELL YOU PASTOR CHARLE WAS AMAZING ON THE KEYBOARD, AND THE LADIES SANG THEIR SOULS OUT!

WHAT WOULD A CARE-A-VAN PICNIC BE WITHOUT ICE CREAM!

WE ALWAYS GATHER AFTER EACH EVENT, TO GIVE THANKS AND PRAY FOR AN ANOTHER BLESSED EVENING.

OK, SO THERE ALWAYS HAS TO BE ONE HIPPY IN THE CROWD! BUT YES PEACE WAS BROUGHT TO MANY AS WE GOT TO SHARE WITH FOOD, MUSIC AND PRAYER

As we were busy inside the guys were busy cooking outside. We even had the opporutunity to feed one family that was walking down the street. We had both the bus and the van there this evening. The family climbed on board to get out of the rain and see the bus. The kids always love PJ and his treats he finds for them! We offered prayer to this family and they readily accepted it and needed it. God is good!

We will be going back to 400 Towers Sunday afternoon  at 4:30 for street church. All are welcome to join us !

Care-A-Van Goes Forth Rain or Shine

By Robin Walters

Ok folks, just to let you know and ease Bea's mind on this cloudy morning, we go forth for our picnics rain or shine.  Last week we were at the  Hilltop Boarding Home.

Tonight we will be at 400 Towers for a picnic, then tomorrow evening we are at the Sunset motel. Both events begin at 5:30. Come on out and join in the fun!

 

Parade time at the Genesee County Fair

By Robin Walters

Well, this PR director of Care-A-Van can truly say she enjoyed the parade tonight. Reports have it that she did much better passing out candy, than she did videotaping their last parade event here in Batavia. Just a few pics to share of tonight's parade.

The Parking lot was a very busy place

CARE-A-VAN'S REMOTE CONTROL VEHICLE ALL READY FOR THE ROUTE

Kelly Cook, one of our teen volunteers joined us tonite to pass out candy

LARRY HICKS OUR DONATIONS DIRECTOR LEADS THE WAY

HERE THEY GO, OUR RESCUE VAN AND BUS ..

Got to love the Horses

Our Friends from Freedom village doing a few last minute things to their float.

I hope someone here got a picture of the whole complete presentation. I just saw it from a distance and do not have a great zoom lens!

The before picture.. man what this pile transformed into was amazing. Keep your fingers crossed that someone will share!

Future Musicians of Batavia

By Robin Walters

It seems this past Sunday while we were having street church on Columbia Avenue, there was some training going on for the future muscians of Batavia! Roxy Yeager sure has a way with children!

These young boys are hanging out on Saturday morning with PJ.

These two young friends are loving the music and got Shawn and I involved in a game of catch.

 I have seen what a difference a little love and attention does for the children of the streets of Batavia.  Care-A-Van has been developing relationships with all the families for the past 9 years. Everywhere we go, the children are waiting to get their hugs from Bridget!

These children are the future of Batavia. Care-A-Van goes forth to love upon them and help their families in time of need.  Each one us has been created and designed for a unique purpose in life. As we all have gone through storms of life, isn't it great to find your passion and use that talent to help others and love upon others? 

Maybe you have a passion or talent you would like to share! Come on out and join up with us. This Thursday we will be at the Hilltop Boarding House

Have a super week!

As we say at Care-A-Van

Keep the Light On!

Picnic Time in Batavia

By Robin Walters

Care-A-Van Ministries held their weekly Thursday night cookout at Central Avenue tonight. It was an awesome night. The rain did not keep anyone away. We had approximately 82 people come out. Now that is alot of hotdogs and hamburgs to grill!  How about all those ice cream cones that were served.

 

During the summer Care-A-Van goes out to a different neighborhood on Thursday nights. On Sunday afternoon we return to the same neighborhood for street church. This Sunday Pastor Eric Shepard of the

Church of the Rock in Attica will be delivering the message and Paul Beitz from the same church will be providing the music.  Our own  Care-A-Van provides music every Thursday night. This Saturday we will be at Central Avenue for grocery and clothing distribution from 10:30 until 12:00. if you know of anyone that needs a little help.

Now I just love this little gal. She is enjoying delicious chocolate chip cookies that were donated by Creative Foods.

 

These picnics and all of Care-A-Van's events are free. We thank all of you in the community who help make this possible. If you ever want to enjoy a fun time, come on out and join in the fun.

Robin Walters
Public Relations Director
Care-A-Van Ministriies.

Coke or Pepsi? What is the Choice on the Street?

By Robin Walters

 I bet these folks wish that is all they had to worry about or decide on was whether they liked Coke or Pepsi better.  This picture was taken on the streets of the Bronx during Care-A-Van’s recent visit to New York City.  The people above were waiting to have a hot cooked meal at the Love Gospel Assembly.

Tonight on the streets of Batavia was no different. On our outing tonight we saw a lot of hurting souls that had many difficulties going on in their lives. They climbed on board and the only thing they were looking for just as these people in the picture was hope.  Bridget had cooked up a delicious pot of goulash for everyone to share. Paul had the coffee brewing and Elder Ron was busy taking care of the tables outside.

The team got to visit with people and share of the hope that there is for their lives. A lovely lady invited us into her home at the end of the evening and we saw the most awesome collection of coca cola items.  As the bus was about to leave, another gentleman who has been struggling knocked on the door of the bus. He came in sat down and shared with from his heart with such emotion of his struggles.  He knows of the freedom that comes with having the Lord in his heart, but he as the rest of us is human and was struggling.

You know Jesus doesn’t ask us what do you want- Coke or Pepsi? No, he asks what do you want- life or death? Yes we have a choice. We can choose life- which comes with freedom or we can choose death- which is the continuation of making wrong choices, living in sin and being caught up in the confusion of the world.  I don’t know about you, but I choose life. Oh and just so you know as a sidebar- give me a diet Pepsi any day!

Have a blessed day! We look forward to seeing you all as we travel around the city bringing hope to the lost and hurting.

PS.. Hey Howard that might be a good poll for you.. coke or pepsi?

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