These cars were lined up on Walnut Street this evening with their 4 ways on waiting to be able to get into their driveways. Care-A-Van loaded the bus up with hot chocolate, chili and snow shovels and hit the streets this evening to give a lending hand.
The bus drove around the city looking for folks in need. We stopped and helped shovel people out and helped push cars that were stuck. Warm treats were offered to all.
A lot can happen in 10 years, when you give your life to help others. Pictured above is the orignal Care-A-Van motor home that Paul and Bridget Ohlson used at Christmas in 1999 to start delivering Christmas to others. Fast forward to 2009 to the beautiful bus that nows go forth to give hope to others.
With loving to write of the ministry and being given the opportunity through Howard and The Batavaian, we are able to share with all of you the wonderful blessings and how God uses the Care-A-Van Minstry to give hope to others. We were recently approached by Chrissy Siggee , Manager - Australian Bureau of The Cyrpess Times, an online Christian newspaper out of Texas to share of the ministry. Who would have ever thought, God would have us sharing in this way!
Please check out the article to see how Paul and Bridget followed the call including him quitting his full time job of 27 years to where their life and the vision of Care-A-Van Ministries is now.
http://www.thecypresstimes.com/article/Faith/Ministry/WHAT_IS_CAREAVAN_MINISTRIES/26095
May you all have a Merry Christmas!
Keep the Light On!
Robin Walters, PR Director Care-A-Van Ministires
Holland Land Office Musuem stopped by the Care-A-Van bus to sing
Our friends from City Church blessed us with their music as well
Pastor Matt LePiana on far left and his brothers from the Sons of God of Leroy stopped by to announce the opening of their church - Church In the Wind. The church will be opening January 3rd at 7 PM in Leroy.
Everyone had a grand time on the Care-A-Van bus. We served 450 Brownies and cups of hot chocolate. Everyone had a grand time! Thanks to the city for hosting a great event! See you next year.. the famous brownies will be back!
Ok, only Paul's brother Gene and his son, would have the nerve with no fear to climb on top to do the lights!
This young man helped decorate the tree on the bus.
Last Saturday, PJ and Ruth Reiner opened their garage and home for the annual Care-A-Van bus decorating party. A team of family members and volunteers gathered together for an enjoyable evening of decorating the bus.
We kick off our Christmas tour with Christmas in the City, Friday night. Be sure to stop by and get one Paul's famous brownies and hot chocolate.
On Saturday morning, we will be at Batavia Gardens for our weekly grocery distribution
On the evenings of December 19th through December 22nd, we will be going out with the bus each evening beginning at 6:00 PM. We will be taking Christmas gifts and a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings for families that normally would not have Christmas. We coordinate with other agencies to make sure that the families we bless are not receiving from another agency.
We always welcome folks that would like to come along and be a blessing who might have a heart to sing a few Christmas carols. If you have never experienced this, why not have this be your first year? If you are interested in joining us, please call us at 343-0328. It would be a ride you will never forget!
Many people get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season and forget the true reason for the season, the birth of Jesus. We go forth to share of the wonderous celebration of the season.
We are in need of donations of candy canes. Last year, we gave away over 800!
Financial donations are needed as well to be able to bless families with gifts. Donations can be mailed to 4 Lewis Avenue, Batavia, NY 14020. We take Christmas to approximately 15 families. We thank all of you who continue to partner with us with your prayers and financial contributions to help Keep the Light On here in Batavia! God bless and Merry Christmas!
The Christian Students United Group of GCC came out tonight with Care-A-Van Ministries for our monthly visit to the college dorms. Pictured above is Jason and Charles f rom the CSU group with Sonara, who is a member of the GCC Cougars Women Basketball team.
We knocked on all 95 dorm rooms and offered cookies and prayer. Sonara's prayer request was that the team do well on their upcoming game this Saturday.
All students in the rooms were also given a personal invitation to attend the weekly meetings that the Christian Students United group has every Tuesday at 12:30 in room T122. This is a great time to share pizza and fellowship together.
There were many prayer requests this evening. The students are very thankful for the monthly visits , prayers and treats.
A special thanks to Jason, Alan and Charles from CSU for coming out with us tonight.
Go lady Cougars! Good luck Saturday!
Paul Ohlson, Founder of Care-A-Van and Robin Walters, PR Director gather with the scouts.
The Cub Scout Pack 17 of Elba held a local "fun" raiser this evening at the Elba Firemans Recreation Hall. Local families were entertained by Jeff Musial and Nickel City Reptiles and Exotics. The admissison was a non perishable food item.
The scouts combined this evening's food admissions with their local Scouting for Food drive. All donations were then presented to Care-A-Van Ministries to help feed the local people. They also held a 50/50 and presented the proceeds to Care-A-Van.
My understanding is that over the summer the scouts had raised funds that they used to be able to present this fun evening to all families at no charge.
We thank Cub Master Chris Chadbourne scouts and their leaders and all those families that donated to help feed the local families that are in need. You truly have blessed many!
This young man was brave!
There was quite a crowd!
Packing the food up
Putting it on the bus
This young scout helped load the bus as well
Kids enjoy time on the bus.
Thanks again and more photos of this event can be seen on our Facebook!
Come join us there!
These young volunteers were kept busy sorting the jeans
Recently, the Elba School students helped clothe others with their jeans.
Christine Bucceri and students of the Elba school got together to help and bless others. At a recent school dance instead of the normal admission fee to get in,the students were asked to bring a pair of jeans for admission.
They then delivered the jeans to Care-A-Van Ministsries to bless others that may be in need. I will say it was a huge pile! There had to be over 100 pair of jeans if not more.
A special thanks to Christine and the students at the school for this wonderful donation to the ministry. Those that received the jeans were very appreciative.
What a wonderful creative way to help others!
It was a day of giving thanks this past Saturday when Care-A-Van was on Central Avenue for Grocery Distribution. It was one of our busiest days at this location!
We saw over 47 families with a total of 121 family members that were in need of food.
Two young seniors from Kane Area High School in Kane PA, Marissa Walters and Natalee Anderson were volunteering with us today. They had a thankful box that they used to encourage those in need to share what they were thankful for and any prayer requests they had. At the end of they day , Elder Ron prayed over the requests. Pictured above is the team and some residents of the neighborhood. We always pray before leaving a neighorhood.
There were many needs and prayer requests today.
Marissa and a little Robert. Marissa has a dream one day to be a physician asisstant. Today was a great opportuntiy for her to help take care of God's little ones!
A special thanks to Marissa and Natalee for volunteering with us today!
So as the picture says- What are you thankful for today? Hmm- me, this PR Director is thankful for the week-end I had with my daughter and her friend and how they had the opportunity to see the needs of others and how they had a heart to want to make a difference..
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!
Care-A-Van Ministries will be on Central Avenue for our weekly Prayer and Share Grocery Distribution, If you and your family are in need of prayer, or groceries, please stop by.
God Cares and So Do We!
Pastor Werk of St Paul Lutheran with local kids
Honoring the Troops on Treat Day
This past Saturday Morning Care-A-Van Ministries was on State Street for their weekly grocery distribution. Groceries were given to 52 families with 174 family members. It was one of our busiest days at this location.
St. Paul Lutheran Church partners with the ministry on the last Saturday of the month and always provides for the families as well. The church held Trunk or Treat for the kids. While the moms and dads were busy getting groceries and prayers, the kids were busy getting treats from the trunks of the cars. A special thanks to St. Paul Lutheran for an awesome morning on State Street!
What a beautiful Mermaid!
Jesus Saves!
Treats for all
Michelle and her children
Psalm 19-21 NIV
But you, O LORD, be not far off;
O my Strength, come quickly to help me.
20 Deliver my life from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dogs.
21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions;
save me from the horns of the wild oxen
Meet Precious; yes this young pup’s name is Precious. Precious was with us this past Saturday at Central Avenue for Saturday morning grocery distribution and prayer time.
All our lives our precious, whether we believe it or not. I for one am continuing to learn how precious my life is. More importantly, I have come to learn how precious Jesus sees me as. As the Care-A-Van team and volunteers shared of God’s love on Saturday, we saw and heard of many hurts and pains. We heard the cries of many wondering where they were going to get their strength from and who in the world could save them from all they were going through.
Terrible things had happened to them, many are caught up in bondages of life with different addictions, hurting wounds of past abuse and much more. Care-A-Van continues to go forth each Saturday to bring the good news of our saving Jesus. He can deliver their “life from the power of the dogs”.
Our hearts were touched late in the morning as a grandmother of 10 arrived. As she looked through the clothing donations, she shared of her concerns for her grandchildren. She was especially concerned for one grandson who is 13 years old. She asked for prayer. The volunteers all gathered around her and Elder Ron prayed for her grandchildren.
The Lord fed 34 precious families with 73 precious family members.
Last Thursday when the bus was out on in the city, we had a young father with 3 children come on in need of food and prayer.
He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight. (Psalm 72:14)
Yes, Jesus uses you and Care-A-Van Ministries to help rescue the precious lives here in the city of Batavia. We cannot save them, but Jesus can. However, we can go forth and share that God cares and they are precious in his sight.
A special thanks to Sacred Heart for the donation of food they dropped off at the bus Saturday morning. Thank you to all of you for your continued support of prayer, finances and sharing of your time to make a difference in these precious lives.
On Thursday evening the bus will be out for the mobile movie and coffee night.
On Saturday, October 17th we will be at 193 South Main Street Apartment complex for grocery distribution, 10:30-Noon.
( Well, some of us will be, this PR director will be busy moving to her new apartment that God has blessed her with, oh and inside scoop .. Bridget is an awesome interior designer as well! She was busy tonight rearranging some things at my new home)
On Monday, October 19th we have been invited to be down town Batavia at Mane Attraction for Ladies Night Out!
You are all awesome! I also just want to say thank you for your words of encouragement when you see us out and about! Bright!
Have a Blessed Week and Keep that Light Burnin
Paul Ohlson, Founder of Care-A-Van Ministries with James Rosenbeck , 2009 Kidney Walk -Genesee County Event Chair
Paul with Sydney the Kidney
Care-A-Van Ministries had the honor and pleasure of being contacted by the National Kidney Foundation to partner with them for their 2009 Kidney Walk for Genesee County slated for today, Sunday October 4th.
Mr. James Rosenbeck, a local Batavia resident, the chair for the event was a receipient of a kidney transplant in September 2007. He and his wife Debbie helped organize this local event. The event was held to celebrate life and help to raise funds to support the National Kidney Foundation serving WNY's mission.
The Care-A-Van ministry team offered juice, water, cookies , candy and prayer for the walkers and their families. A delicious lunch was provided by the National Kidney Foundation. It was impressive that the students of the National Honor Society from Grand Island High school were on hand to volunteer for the event as well.
A special thanks to Anne K.C. McCooey, Regional Vice President of the Western New York National Kidney Foundation an Maria Batt, Special Events Manager of the foundation for a warm welcome and a job well done!
Photos of National Honor Society of Grand Island helping out
Ok, so he was a good sport about allowing this PR director to take his picture.
Local Detective Richard Schauf was out on Sunday afternoon particpating in the National Kidney Foundation Kidney walk that was held at Genesee County Park.
Friends of the foundation, gave him his very own birthday cupcake.
Detective Schauf is a great supporter of Care-A-Van Ministries. In his spare time, you can find him volunteering with the ministry to help meet the needs of others. I said to him as I went to snap his photo "you know I do blog online for the Batavian" he just smiled and allowed me to snap away. Happy Birthday Detective!
Detective Schauf and Pastor Mark Perkins on a recent outing with Care-A-Van
Meet Cuddles. Cuddles was out in the midsts of the hub of activity this past Saturday morning for Care-A-Van grocery distribution.
We heard of many dog gone it moments- dog gone it I lost my job, dog gone it I was beaten by my husband, dog gone I need to find an affordable apartment for my family, dog gone it I lost my home to a fire a few months back and the dog gone moments kept rolling for the 2 hours Care-A-Van Ministries was on State street for grocery distribution.
It was a very busy morning as there were 51 families with 148 family members that arrived for groceries, clothing and prayer.
There were many new families that arrived for help. The stories of the events that are happening in their lives makes one heart ache.
There are moments when out in the midst of it all, and the line keeps growing and the needs are shared, one's spirit can get weak. However, there is hope and there is peace. The peace and hope comes from knowing that the Lord will continue to provide.
A special thanks to all of you for your encouragement, your support and for your willingness to go forth and make a difference in those "dog gone" moments for those living right here in Batavia.
Ok, so this PR Director of Care-A-Van Ministries has got to confess, she was so excited when she heard "Gopher" from the Love Boat was going to be at GCC.
I use to love Gopher on the Love Boat Show. It was a true pleasure getting to hear "Gopher" , Fred Grandy speak at the Sixth Annual Wolcott J. Humphrey III Symposium on Leadership and Community LIfe. The title of his message was "The Art of Change". Talk about change in one life, to hear of his life from Hollywood Acting, to being a member of US Congress, to the former CEO of Goodwill to having his own radio show was unbelievable.
The theatre was packed this evening. After the presentation, there was a reception held in the Forum area. This reception gave the companies , agencies and students from GCC an opportunity to mingle and get to know one another.
Sitting at our table was the Dean of Elim Bible Institute, Harry Vellekoop and Pastor Phil from the World Life Christian Fellowship of Henrietta. It was just amazing how even getting to network with these gentlemen was a blessing. Paul Ohlson, Founder of Care-A-Van enjoyed sharing of the minstry with them and offering to partner with them in any way that we could to help them with their missions of meeting the needs of others.
We at Care-A-Van know that times are changing and the needs within the community are changing. We are forever grateful for the partnering of agencies, churches and individuals that help with the misssion of serving those in need.
A special thank you to all who planned this wonderful event for the community.
Care-A-Van Band opens up for Worship
The Fellowship of the Cross, a home church of Elba joined Care-A-Van ministries for street church today in Batavia. Pastor Mike Welch and members of his congregation came out to provide music and the message.
It was an awesome fall day on the streets today. Pastor Mike gave an awesome message of how much Jesus loves each one of us.
Care-A-Van would like to thank Pastor Mike and the members of his congregatioin for sharing of their time and talents this past week for the cookout and street church. A special thanks also to all the individuals who have donated of their time for the Care-A-Van Band this past summer.
There was quite the tug of war going on at the weekly cookout for Care-A-Van this evening. Pictured above is Pastor Mike Welch of the Fellowship of the Cross of Elba.
Pastor Mike and a few of his congregation members came out tonight to lend a helping hand for our weekly cookout at Edwards Street. We will be returning there on Sunday at 2:30 PM for Street church when Pastor Mike will be delivering the message.
This Saturday, Care-A-Van will be at 193 South Main Street Apartment Complex for grocery distribution.
We are thankful this was a fun tug of war. As we all know, many folks have their personal tugs of war going on in their lives. Care-A-Van goes forth to bring encouragment,, prayer, hope and food to those in need.
Thank you to all of you for your continued support and encouragement.
God Bless and as we say at Care-A-Van
Keep the Light On!
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