Members of the vestry and the outreach committee of Trinity Episcopal Church are pleased to announce the date of the second annual “Christmas in July” celebration.
As part of its community outreach efforts, the members of the vestry and the outreach committee of Trinity Episcopal Church are pleased to announce the date of the second annual “Christmas in July” celebration.
On Tuesday, July 25th, a bus carrying adults and children in need will be transported to Bamboo Gardens in Vincentown for a day of fun, rest and relaxation. Guests will meet in the Trinity Church parking lot at 9:30 a.m. and the buses will depart at 10 a.m. Dinner will be served back at Trinity Church at 4 p.m.
“While many of us look forward to summers full of outdoor barbeques and activities, many others descend into more acute, miserable levels of need and poverty,” said Trinity Rector Rev. Emily Mellott. “Food pantries and clothing supplies dry up and children go hungry because their guaranteed meals have stopped — no school, no food. And there is often little to look forward to for recreation. The Trinity Church community is once again coming together to address the hunger of both body and spirit.”
Daniel Monserrate will again participate in this year’s event and his oldest son will be on-hand to celebrate his 19th birthday. “My boys, my wife Amber and I all really enjoyed meeting new people last year,” he said. “We felt very included, especially when my son Justin was invited to play the guitar with one of the volunteers. We are very much looking forward to this year’s event.”
Trinity has a long history of helping people in need. Beginning in 2007, Trinity answered the call for families and individuals seeking food and basic living supplies from Moorestown and in the surrounding towns of Camden, Riverside, Willingboro, Mount Laurel and Gloucester City. The church assists with these needs year-round though donations, particularly at Christmas when Trinity parishioners adopt families.
Trinity raised more than $42,500 last year to support these outreach efforts. In addition to the Christmas in July special event, the church provides on-going support for many area nonprofits including the Cathedral Soup Kitchen, the Christian Caring Center, the Food Bank of South Jersey, and Habitat for Humanity.
“Christmas in July offers our guests a day off from their daily life challenges,” said Trinity Deacon Leslie Mazzacano. “Fun, swimming and sun but also three meals and some rest for our adults so they can re-energize and continue to care for themselves and their families in the best and most dignified way.”
Funds from the community and sponsors will help defray the cost of this year’s trip. Donations will cover the following items:
· $375 will pay for one of the buses to transport guests to Vincentown
· $150 will sponsor one guest for the day
· $75 will send a child home with a gift of school supplies and clothes
· $60 will provide a goodie bag of crafts and supplies for outdoor fun
Baked goods for dessert at the Bamboo Gardens are also welcome, as are volunteers to help with the day’s activities.
Anyone interested in making a financial donation, a gift card donation or serving as a volunteer may do so by calling (856) 235–0811 or sending an email to [email protected].
