March Community Outreach Update

It takes courage to value others according to God. This doesn’t come naturally for some of us, and we’ll need to dismantle our own unconscious biases. Others have done the hard work of courageous relearning, and now we must do the equally hard work of living that out with love. So, how do we measure a life? Graciously. Compassionately. Abounding in love and faithfulness. – Dr. Emily Smith (The Science of the Good Samaritan: Thinking Bigger About Loving Our Neighbors)

Hello WCC! Don’t forget to spring forward this weekend and be sure to check out some great opportunities to serve our community, as we continue to live a life on mission. Welcome to the March edition of WCC’s Community Outreach Update…

EISENHOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
As part of our focus on caring for vulnerable children and our partner school, here are some upcoming opportunities at Eisenhower Elementary School.

• Eisenhower Carnival Volunteers: The Eisenhower School Carnival will be on Friday, March 22. This is a great way to help the kids have some fun, while raising funds for the school’s programs. Find out more or sign up to help here.
• Cards of Encouragement: We’ll be providing breakfast to the Eisenhower staff right before Spring Break on Monday, March 25. To go along with breakfast, we want to encourage them with notes of appreciation and prayer. Please pick up a stack of cards starting this Sunday at the Info Center, sign them out, write your note(s) and return them by Sunday, March 24. Instructions and a sample note to write will be provided.
• Recess Volunteers: Your presence and care can go a long way in helping a child succeed while encouraging a teacher or staff member. Eisenhower is doing a trial run for the rest of March to provide recess support on Fridays. Currently, teachers are required to cover their own grade level lunch and recess. We want to help cover this so the teachers get a little break. To learn more or sign up, visit this page. NOTE: All volunteers need a current school year background check form submitted for Warsaw Community Schools (find the form here).

SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE
Sleep in Heavenly Peace is an international, volunteer-driven, nonprofit dedicated to building and delivering handmade beds to children in need. Learn about the newest chapter in Kosciusko County, the founders and their tie to WCC, and how you can get involved and help ensure No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town.

COMBINED COMMUNITY SERVICES
Combined Community Services has been a huge contributor in meeting local needs in Jesus’ name for over 30 years, and now is no different… in fact, they’re helping people in record numbers, but that comes at a cost. They have very practical needs right now… donations and volunteers. Funds to support the organization, and volunteers to help with the food pantry and/or the front desk reception area. Additionally, they will be hosting a mobile food drop on Thursday, March 14 at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds in the morning, and some volunteers are needed for that. Volunteer opportunities are flexible as far as time commitment. Please pray for CCS. Any time you care for others in Jesus’ name, the enemy is not happy.

SALVATION ARMY
The Salvation Army has faithfully served Kosciusko County since 1921. They are a vital partner in our community and have several events and volunteer opportunities coming up this spring, including a Family Bingo Night on March 20, and the ever-popular Soup and Pie Luncheon on April 17. Check out their website or Facebook page for more details.

NEWS AND TEXT ALERTS
As a heads up, when we have urgent needs, we often send a quick text message to our Community Outreach Response Team. You can sign up for the text message alerts by texting the word WCCRESPONSE to the number 877-329-2240.
 
Thank you for making an eternal difference at WCC, in our community, and around the world!