Your Help is Always Needed!
Whether it's here at St. Peter's, in our local community, or in our greater world community, there is always something you can do to help!

WAYS YOU CAN HELP AT ST. PETER'S:

FOOD DONATIONS:  The Mission Committee has a food pantry that is open to anyone in our community.  Donations of non-perishable food items are always appreciated.  There are special donations several times throughout the year when perishable food items are accepted as the committee supplies holiday dinners to deserving families at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.  Contact St. Peter's if you would like to donate or are in need of food.

CLOTHING DONATIONS:  The Mission Committee collects clothing throughout the year for several purposes.  We have an ongoing support relationship with one special family in West Seneca that is always looking for clothing for children ages 10-14.  In February of each year, we carry out our "Warming Buffalo's Homeleess" project where we take warm food and clothing directly to those in need out on the streets of Buffalo.  For this project, we need MEN'S coats, jackets, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves and socks.  All other clothing should be put in plastic bags, tied securely and deposited in the clothing shed in the front parking lot.  If you have a lot of clothing you would like to donate, please call and we will make arrangements to pick it up.

PAPER DONATIONS:  There is a "Paper Retriever" recycling bin located in the front parking lot.  Donations of paper are always appreciated.  Items that go in the bin include newspapers, catalogues, "junk" mail, office papers, folders, school papers, and paperback books.  Items that are NOT ACCEPTED are plastic, carboard, food boxes, egg cartons, metal, glass, or trash.  If you have a lot of paper you would like to donate, please call and we will make arrangements to pick it up.

JOIN A COMMITTEE:  There are several committees that are always looking for help.  The Mission Committee performs works of service at the church, in our community, and in the world.  The New Member Task Force runs programs to continue attracting visitors to St. Peter's.  The Christian Education Committee is responsible for the Sunday School and is in need of teachers and volunteers.

TOPS GIFT CARDS:  If you're a Tops Shopper or know someone who is, please consider purchasing Tops Gift Cards through St. Peter's.  They are available in several denominations and St. Peter's receives a percentage from each sale.  If you're shopping at Tops anyway or looking for a great gift idea, this is an easy way to help support our church!

WAYS YOU CAN HELP IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY:

CAMPUS CHURCH CONNEXION:  Rev. Linda Harle-Mould runs a "Listening Post" ministry at Buffalo State College.  She offers a variety of treats to students and a listening ear whenever it's needed.  Due to budget cutbacks, she needs donations of certain food items and cash to help maintain this ministry.  Staple items that the students enjoy which can be used throughout the semester include large plastic containers of pretzel nuggets (no other shape), very large packages of animal crackers, large bags of starbrite mints or peppermint candies, and large bags of unsalted unshelled roasted peanuts.  Pastor Linda then purchases fresh fruit and other items every week to round out the table.  During exam weeks, she always makes and decorates a large variety of cookies for her kids - and the staff and faculty!  The $15 of fresh fruit that needs to be provided every week must come from Linda's pocket or supporters.  If you would like to contribute Tops gift cards or cash donations to this ministry, please contact the church office.

"DRUMMING UP SUPPORT FOR OUR VETS":  The goal is to bring Health Rhythms drum circles to the Veterans Administration Hospital recreation programs in Buffalo and Batavia.  Giving our veterans a therapeutic activity to elieve stress and symptoms of PTSD and express emotions without words can be a large part in healing from the trauma so many have experienced.  There is no funding for an in-house program to serve our vets on their continued path of healing.  With that in mind, Carolyn Zimmerman of Drum4Health, is reaching out to the community at large to raise $5000 by Veterans' Day (Nov. 11) to send hospital staff members for Health Rhythms training and purchase the Health Rhythms drums to institute an on-site recreational music-making program.  Donate by sending your check or money order to:  VA Western New York, Recreation Therapy, 3495 Bailey Avenue, Buffalo NY  14215.  Be sure to include "Drumming Up Support For Our Vets" Acct. GPF * 1804 in the memo line.  Call 876-4323 for more information.

JERICHO ROAD MINISTRIES (www.jrm-buffalo.org):  Provides medical, educational and resettlement support to refugees from around the world.  Volunteer help or monetary donations are always appreciated.  The Priscilla Project is looking for volunteers "to be the hands and feet of Jesus" for expectant women building lives in Buffalo.  Attend a special evening to "Explore, Experience, and Engage" on Thursday, October 14 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Rich's Niagara Atrium, One Robert Rich Way.  Tickets are $50 per person.  RSVP by Sep. 27 to Jericho Road Ministries, 184 Barton St., Buffalo NY  14213

PLYMOUTH CROSSROADS RESIDENCE IS OPEN:  The Board of Directors of the United Church Home Society, Inc. has secured a home in Lancaster for abused and homeless youth in need of long-term housing.  The United Church Home operates the program on behalf of the Society which is the sponsoring organization.  Plymouth Crossroads will serve between 35-40 male youth and young adults annually, ages 16 to 20, from throughout Western New York.  The residence houses up to eight youths at any given time in a home environment.  Average length of stay in transitional housing is 6-12 months and varies with each individual.  A thorough initial assessment is completed for each individual prior to entry.  Youth in this program do not have a history of severe drug or alcohol addiction, or have a history of violence, aggression, or severe mental illness.  The Plymouth Crossroads Transitional Residential Living Program provides safe shelter and emplower young people to develop independent, healthy paths to their future by offering them the tools they need to be self-supportive and avoid long-term dependency on social services.  To donate, contact 508-2108.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP IN OUR GREATER WORLD COMMUNITY:  Further information on any of these opportunities can be obtained by contacting St. Peter's or visiting the appropriate web site.

NY/HELP:  Support the work of this organization in the poorest mountain towns of Honduras.  Mission trips travel there twice a year.  You can join a trip or provide financial support.

HEIFER INTERNATIONAL (www.heifer.org):  This organization provides animals, education and support to people in need around the world.  Visit their web site to learn more or find ways you can help.  Coming soon:  "The Most Important Gift Catalog" in the world.  Filled with unique and meaningful gifts that are available only from Heifer International, this catalog has something for everyone.  Heifer gifts are the perfect way to show your friends, family and co-workers just how much you care.  There are also local representatives willing to speak to community groups about the work of Heifer.

JERICHO ROAD MEDICAL MISSION PROJECT IN SIERRA LEONE:  Jericho Road Ministries is embarking on a special mission project to improve medical services in this war-ravaged country.  Their goal is to get damaged medical clinics up and running again with the proper equipment and train local personnel to staff them.  They also hope to equip and run a mobile medical clinic that will travel to those villages without existing care.  Medical support and monetary donations are appreciated.

GLOBAL AFRICAN VILLAGE (www.globalafricanvillage.org):  Global African Village is a nonprofit working to alleviate the abject poverty that affects thousands of children, the elderly, and the sick every day. The current focus is assisting the Bagishu people of eastern Uganda with four primary projects: child care, health care, better access to water, and helping people start or improve small businesses.  Villagers in this area were especially displaced by recent devastating landslides.  Fundraising efforts include sales of Delta Sonic car wash and oil change tickets, "Shop For A Cause" at Macy's on October 16, searching the Internet with goodsearch.com, shopping online with goodshop.com, and saving register tapes from Dash's Supermarket.