Photos: Springtime Shortcake
Care-A-Van Ministries stopped by The Meadows, Thursday evening to treat the residents there to strawberry shortcake and donated breads.
Care-A-Van Ministries
Roswell Park Cancer Institute Partners with Local Ministry
Roswell Park Cancer Institute sponsors The Witness Project which is a Breast and Cervical Cancer Education and Screening Program offering free or low cost mammograms, pap test and clinical breast exams to women who qualify. The Witness project was out on the streets with Care-A-Van Ministries today searching for people without health insurance who are in need of such services.
The Witness project teams up with the local Cancer Services Program of Genessee.
Above Nancy Spencer of the Witness project explains the program to Donna Steverson. . Any woman ages 40-64 in need of free or low cost testing can call the local Cancer Services office at 344-5497.
While Roswell Park was busy offering their services, Care-A-Van was busy giving out groceries to the families. 38 families with 103 family members received groceries this morning.
Photos: Christmas Joy Throughout the City
Here are random pictures taken throughout the week of Chrismas Joy
Groceries Available For Christmas
With our normal distribution day falling on Christmas day, Care-A-Van wants to make sure families have groceries for the holiday season.
We will be at State Street Thursday evening from 6:30 until 8:00 PM. If you or anyone you know needs groceries, clothing or prayer, please stop by.
It has been an amazing week for the ministry with sharing the love during this holiday season. Thank you to all of you who donate your time, your financial donations and prayers. We could not go forth without your love and encouragement.
Who knows, you might just see the Care-A-Van dancers there! It truly has been a fun week!
Photos: Christmas at Washington Towers
Care-A-Van Ministries was out for their third evening of sharing the joy of Christmas. This evening we were at Washington Towers, where the residents enjoyed Christmas goodies, music and the blessing of individual Christmas gifts. We were blessed back by Mrs. Shannon sharing a song for all.
Photos: Christmas at 400 Towers
On their second night out of celebrating Christmas, Care-A-Van Ministries stopped by the 400 Towers to have a celebration with the residents there.
Local ARC Group Helps Salvation Army Ring Bells
The Local ARC group was at Walmart helping Salvation Army ring the bells.
Care-A-Van Ministries pulled up with the bus and provided Christmas music for the local shoppers as well. It was a fun night with the two organizations working together.
Betsy from ARC with Robin Walters, PR Director of Care-A-Van Ministries
PHOTOS: Spreading Christmas Cheer
Care-A-Van Ministries was out tonight and will be the next two nights, spreading Christmas joy and cheer. A group of volunteers from several churches came along and provided caroling as well as hot chocolate and Christmas goodies. Christmas gifts were also given to the residents. We were at Park apartments, Platt Boarding Home and a home of a very special couple. A delicious chili dinner was served at the boarding home as well.
Local McDonald's Employees Donate To Community
On Sunday morning, Care-A-Van Ministries was asked to come to the local McDonald's to receive a blessing from the employees there. Kathy Engle, Shift Manager wanted the employyes to learn about giving back to others and being a blessing. The employees all talked about it and thought it would be great to do a food and clothing drive for Care-A-Van Ministries. It really hit home for the employees as one as their employees had lost their home due to a fire awhile back and Care-A-Van Ministries had helped out that family tremendously.
Kathy stated "it was alot of fun and it was interesting to observe what the kids brought in. The kids really got into filling the big stocking and since it was overflowing we had to start loading up the boxes. What is amazing in this story is that Bridget Ohlson, co-founder of Care-A-Van Ministries worked at McDonald's years ago for one of her first jobs. Care-A-Van would like to thank Kathy and all the employees at McDonald's for reaching out and being a blessing to others this Christmas Season.
PHOTOS: A VISIT AT WORTENDYKE
Care-A-Van Ministries was at Wortendyke Trailer Park for their weekly Thurdsay night outing. Over 25 people came on the bus to enjoy homemade meatball subs provided by Charlie PIscitello and his wife Judy. Many families were blessed with groceries for the holiday season. Care-A-Van will be on Main street Friday evening celebrating the Christmas seaon with all attending the City Centre Christmas event. Be sure to stop by for one of the famous brownies and a cup of hot chocolate and see how the bus has been remodeled!
PHOTOS: Wonderland of Trees- Holland Land Office
I got a chance to stop by the Wonderland of Trees Event. at the Holland Land Office. It sure did put me in the Christmas spirit. I loved seeing the train going around the tree. It was an awesome display. Care-A-Van Ministries had a lighted cross on display that represented the most important tree which was the one that the cruxificion was cut from.
GCC Christian Students United Group Takes Action
On Thursday evening, the Christian Students United group of GCC teamed up with Care-A-Van Ministries on their monthly visit to the GCC dorms. The students with Care-A-Van volunteers knocked on all 95 dorm rooms to offer treats, prayer, encouragement and an invitation to share of the group's activities that take place on campus. The Care-A-Van volunteers are made up of many indivduals from many local churches. It was an awesome evening. Many of the rooms asked for prayer. The students look forward to the monthly visits and especially the treats and prayers that are offered.
A roomful of girls had a spider in their bathroom that they needed killed, here is Joe from the GCC soccer team who is member of the Christian Students United group coming to the rescue.
All the volunteers gathered on the Care-A-van bus for closing prayer when done.
Paul Ohlson, Founder of Care-A-Van prays for the students and gives thanks to the Lord for another great night out with the ministry.
PHOTOS: HALLLOWEEN ON ELLICOTT AVENUE
Care-A-Van had a great night out on Ellicott Avenue. Thank you to everyone for volunteering and your donations.
Local Agencies and The Abbey of the Genessee Unite Together To Bless Community
Who loves Monk bread? The bread is made by the monks at The Abbey of the Genesee http://geneseeabbey.org/. They are very generous and donate to local organizations. They donate to the Salvation army in Rochester which in turns delivers to the Salvation Army here in Batavia.
Captain Bob Kurtz of the Salvation Army here in Batavia was very generous and donated bread to Care-A-Van Ministries. Care-A-Van was at Northside Meadows for Saturday morning grocery distribution where 27 families with 91 family members received the delicious bread. When Care-A-Van was done there, they stopped by and blessed the residents of 400 Towers with the delicous bread. Isn't it amazing to know to see how the hard work and efforts of the monks, bless those in communities that surround their Abbey. It is awesome to see how local agencies come together to serve those in the community. Captain Bob also donates his time with Care-A-Van every Thursday for morning ministry. Thank you to the Abbey for their generosity. If you have never been there, take a drive sometime.
Their facility and grounds are beatuiful and the fresh bread can be bought right there in their store.
Dr. Russell Marchese Receives GCASA Volunteer Service Award
GCASA held their 11th Annual Awards Dinner Friday evening at the Holiday Inn.
Dr. Russ Marchese was presented with the Volunteer Service Award. Dr. Russ, his partner Dr. Marcella and staff partnered with Care-A-Van Ministries and local agencies this past summer to hold the Second Annual Caring for the City Day which included a free dental clinic. 68 people from the community received free dental services including fillings, cleanings and teeth extractions. Dr. Russ and his wife Wendy are very active within in the community.
The guest speaker for the evening was Ms. Millie Tomidy, Executive Director of Mental Health Associaton in Genesee County. The Emcees for the evening were Justin and Liz Calarco-Smith. Other awards given out in the evening included:
Leadership award to Dr. Lait Jain, Caring Community Ward to Medina Area Association of Churches, Business of the Year Award to Tully's Good Time Restaurants, School Recogniton Award to Kendall Elementary 5th Grade Team, Dove Youth Award to Maura Chmielowiec, Criminal Justice Award to Edwin Mileham, Special Recognition Award to Chuck Kron and Directors Award to Robert Balbick.
Care-A-Van Ministries would like to thank Dr. Russ and his staff for continuing to reach out to the less fortunate here within the city of Batavia.
Local Man's Last Day On The Streets Of Batavia
This past Saturday marked a day in history for Larry Hicks. Larry has been a volunteer with Care-A-Van Ministries for 10 years. Larry was a very faithful volunteer in serving with Care-A-Van including holding the position of donations director. Larry has seen alot happen over the years on the streets in Batavia. He has a heart for helping people. He and his wife Jeanine will be leaving this week to move to Florida. He is hoping that the Lord will open doors for him to do Urban ministry in Florida. We all wish him well and he will be sadly missed at Care-A-Van and on the streets.
Larry shared a few thoughts with us while we were doing grocery distribution at South Main Street Apartment complex.
PHOTOS: Welcome Back Cookout for GCC Students
Care-A-Van Ministries held their annual Back to School cookout for the GCC students.
The Care-A-Van band provided music, Pastor Dale Gooch from the Emmanuel Baptist church was on hand to give a great message and the Young Adult group from New Hope was on hand to give out goodie bags and notebooks to the students. Care-A-Van will be visiting the dorms once a month to take treats, prayers and encouragment to the students this upcoming school year.
PHOTOS: Chilly Evening in Batavia
It was a chilly night out for the weekly cook out for Care-A-Van Ministries. Their summer cookout schedule is winding down. There are 3 weeks left, with the last week being a welcome back cook-out for GCC students.
Photos: Second Annual Caring for the City Day
Thank you again to Dr. Russ and Dr. Marcella for your generosity given to the community and a special thanks to their spouses too! God Bless you all!
Caring For The City Being Held Today
Care-A-Van ministries will be hosting their Second Annual Caring for the City Day, today Friday, August 20th.
The highlight of the day is the free dental clinic which is offered by Dr. Russ Marchese and his staff. The event is being held at Dr. Russ office which is at 401 East Main Street. The event will run from 8 AM to 3 PM. Dr. Russ sees the growing need for people without dental insurance and wants to help make a differerence for them.
Also on hand in the parking lot will be many agencies and churches offering their services as well. Community Action, Cornell Coopertive Extension, GCASA, Cancer Services of Gennesse from UMMC, Circle of Love, Fidelis Insurance, Lake Plains, St Paul Lutherarn Church, Emmanuel Baptist Church and Faith Community church will be some of those on hand to bless others.
All services are free and open to the public.
