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Sodality Supports the Community Through New Monthly Charity Focus
Blessed Sacrament Sanctuary Sodality has postponed the Annual Bazaar for 2020 and instead we will highlight a Monthly Charity Focus all year long. Our units have been asked to nominate local charities to support and each month we are soliciting donations to the selected organization. Normally we would donate 50% of our Bazaar proceeds to these worthy organizations ($40,000 in 2019), but due to the current pandemic our fundraising has taken a new form. We welcome support of all Blessed Sacrament parishioners for this effort to help those in need in our community.
February Charity Focus - Trafficking Victim Assistance Program (TVAP)
This month Sancta Maria Sodality asks your help supporting the Trafficking Victim Assistance Program (TVAP), a program of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington.
TVAP assists women and men fleeing from involuntary sex and servitude, providing comprehensive and strength-based services for children and adult survivors of human trafficking allowing, them to heal and get the justice they deserve in order to lead safe, empowered lives. TVAP provides Bags of Courage with items for basic needs, for hygiene, food, clothing, as well as financial support, assisting with housing, transportation, safety, medical and dental care and when possible, family reunification. Sancta Maria members ask your help donating items for the Bags of Courage, gift cards, or monetary donations.
TVAP Director Hannah Halbreich joined the February sodality meeting, discussing why the DC Metro area is ranked third in human trafficking in the country, how survivors find TVAP, what they need, and the services they provide. A list of human trafficking indicators may be found at: https://www.state.gov/identify-and-assist-a- trafficking-victim/#indicators . Further information on human trafficking in the United States may be found at: https://polarisproject.org/ or https://worldpopulationreview. com/state-rankings/human- trafficking-statistics-by- state.
Helping a trafficking survivor says you value her or him, respect their dignity and courage and acknowledge their trauma. We can convey God’s grace by contributing items for the Bags of Courage, listed below. Cash and gift cards are also welcomed to assist during these difficult times. Donations may be delivered to Kathy Sanzo or Rosemarie Berman. If you choose to order a donation online, please have it delivered to Kathy Sanzo’s address as noted on the Amazon wish list.
AMAZON WISHLIST
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/genericItemsPage/ 217T7XYH61W57?type=wishlist&_ encoding=UTF8
We welcome donations from the wishlist or any items from the following suggestions:
TVAP BAGS OF COURAGE
Toiletries:- packs of feminine products
- toothpaste
- toothbrush
- small packages of wipes
- combs, hairbrushes, and packets of elastics
- small size body wash
- small size body lotion, shampoo, condition and shaving razor
- First-aid items, such as band aids or a small kit
Food:- Packages or bag of trail mix/small snacks
- $15-$20 gift cards (Target, Walmart, Giant, Safeway)
Clothing:
We serve male and female survivors, so a variety of clothing sizes is appreciated.- socks
- yoga or sweatpants (loose styles preferred)
- NEW short sleeve t-shirts,
- NEW Sports bras, comfortable
underwear - Comfortable shoes (used but in good condition is acceptable)
- winter hats, gloves/mittens, and scarves
- winter coats (used but in good condition is acceptable)
- small throw-size blankets
- Journals and pens
- water bottle
DONATIONSDonations of cash and checks are welcome and needed. Make checks to “TVAP.”
Donations may be delivered to:
Kathy Sanzo Rosemarie Berman
3310 Winnett Rd. 1132 Geranium St. NW
Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Washington, DC 20012
Thank you for your generosity!
January Charity Focus - Catholic Charities of Washington DC
Please join the Queen of Angels Sodality during January to support Catholic Charities of Washington, DC and donate items to the New Life and Postpartum Care Package programs for needy new mothers and their babies. We are hoping to fill 10 care packs for both the NEW LIFE and POSTPARTUM care pack programs for women having babies. It will be a wonderful project for us as Catholics, who support Life, to support these women as they welcome their new borns.
How can sodalists help?
You can choose to purchase care pack items via Amazon OR go shopping on your own.
1) Want to purchase via Amazon and have items sent directly?- Click this link for NEW BORN CARE PACKAGE ITEMS OR click this link MOTHER CARE PACKAGE ITEMS
- These links take you direclty to Amazon
- Choose the items and quantity you want to purchase from the list
- At Checkout choose "Lynn Stewart's Gift Registry Address" (might be under Other Addresses)
- Complete your purchase
- The items will be automatically sent to Lynn Stewart***
2) Want to purchase items on your own?- VIEW THIS LIST OF URGENT ITEMS
- Purchase items at your store of choice
- Deliver your items to Lynn Stewart, 6609 Radnor Road, Bethesda, MD 20817
(Of course, if you want to include anything extra for baby or Mom, please feel free to do so!)
NEW WAY TO HELP: 3) Venmo monetary donation to @Lynn-Stewart-4 (account shows picture of cocker spaniel named Izzy). Write "CARE PACK DONATION" in message section. Needed items will be purchased to complete care packs.
For more information about the program, visit the Catholic Charities Care Packages Website. Look for Sanctuaries for Life on that page for the lists of items in each care pack.
This Charity drive will continue through the month of January.
***When items are received Lynn Stewart (301-580-4552) Lynn.Stewart@longandfoster.com and Pat Cunningham (202-213-9956) Patcunningham@ hotmail.com will put packages together and deliver to Catholic Charities. Any questions, please call Pat or Lynn Thank you all!
November Charity Focus - The Jeanne Jugan Little Sisters of the Poor Residence
Little Sisters of the Poor care for the elderly poor who have outlived their resources. They have cared for several members of Blessed Sacrament Parish including Monsignor Duffy and Sodalist Mona Williams. Due to COVID, the Little Sisters tradition of “begging" has been halted. Please support The Little Sisters of the Poor with your prayers and donations. http://www.littlesistersofthepoorwashingt ondc.org/donations/ [ enter “Blessed Sacrament” in comment field.]
Also requested: Surgical Disposable Masks, Hand Sanitizer, Lysol Spray
Please use Amazon Smile Link on http://www.littlesistersofthepoorwashingt ondc.org to order items from Amazon and send to:
Mother Mary Michael
Little Sisters of the Poor
Jeanne Jugan Residence
4200 Harewood Road, NE
Washington, DC 20017-1554
October Charity Focus - Iona House Food Pantry Plus programIona House provides home bound older adults in the DC area with nutrition supplements, shelf-stable food, and other everyday home supplies they may have difficulty accessing now more than ever because of COVID-19. Please visit Iona.org/donate-now to learn more and join Sodality in supporting Iona House.
September Charity Focus – St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth and Families
St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth and Families, providing housing and support programs for infants, children and young women. In September Sodalists responded with several carloads of supplies and made financial donations to St. Ann’s after their Spring fundraiser was cancelled due to the pandemic. Donations are still being accepted at https://e.givesmart.com/events/hlU/.