Maggie Glass, who heads the church’s “Hope Chest” charitable projects, reports that the charitable auction this past Sunday afternoon brought in more than $2,600. The funds will go toward easing the lives of local chemotherapy patients in the Oncology Department of Adena Fayette Medical Center (the local hospital). The many items donated to the auction included this wooden snowman, painted by none other than multi-talented Gary Campbell; and Hannah Preston, 9, one of the “runners” during the auction (taking sold items to their purchasers), adds more color to the scene.
Photos courtesy of Alice Craig
In this photo taken recently at the back of the First Presbyterian Church sanctuary, the paper turkeys on top of the table are shown nearly complete, with non-perishable foodstuffs under the table while perishable items are waiting in cold storage in the church basement. The Fayette County Food Pantry will contribute the bulk of the foods in the 200 “Thanksgiving Baskets” to be distributed on Monday, Nov. 21.
Photos courtesy of Alice Craig
A totally different First Presbyterian community-service project undertaken this busy month of November has traditionally been a free congregational Harvest Dinner followed by a charitable auction. The Hospitality Committee prepares most of the food and decorates Persinger Hall, with the congregation requested merely to supply desserts—and to be generous during the auction. Gary Campbell, noted for both his way with food as well as his personable auctioneer skills, is shown beginning the blessing prior to the dinner, with committee members and other helpers behind him (from left): Polly Dean, Carol Waddle, Nancy Crouse, Amy Booth, Sara Creamer, Joshua Pickelheimer and Esther Austin.
Photos courtesy of Alice Craig
Several years ago, First Presbyterian Church decided to offer a complete hot meal—a “Miracle Meal”—to Meals on Wheels participants on Thanksgiving Day; otherwise, those approximately 100 shut-ins could spend the entire weekend without warm food.
Mission Council’s Jennifer Pieratt proposed that this year the congregation be invited to take part not only in the preparation of the “Miracle Meal” on the actual holiday, Nov. 24, but also in purchasing potentially hard-to-find ingredients that would go into the now-200 “Thanksgiving Baskets” (each topped with a frozen turkey) that would be distributed on the Monday before the holiday, Nov. 21.
Mission Council’s Jill Maddux-Roberts labeled feathers with specific food items, and as people brought to the church their designated foods, they stuck their feathers on Pieratt’s paper turkeys.
