FCSLA In the Community
Join Hands Day - 2006
First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association
Okres Anna Hurban
Cleveland, Ohio
Saturday, May 6, 2006 marked the 7th Join Hands Day project for the Cleveland
District with over 50 participants, both youth and adults. The Youth volunteers
ranged in age from 3 months to 16 years of age.
Volunteers were “charged admission” to participate in this year’s
project. The admission was a donation of canned goods for the Light of Hearts
Seaton Safety Net for Seniors program, which provides food for those in need
in the community. A total of 91 canned goods were donated by the volunteers
in addition to $53 in cash and grocery store gift cards. Sister Regina, SC,
was impressed by the youth who gave her their donations. They told her they
were giving because they wanted to share with those who were in need.
The project consisted of cleaning and beautifying the area at Light of Hearts
Villa by weeding, planting shrubs & flowers, washing the vans used to transport
residents, and washing the Villa's windows. Several volunteers enjoyed playing
Bingo with the Residents of the Villa.
Volunteers also filled balloons that contained a note which read: "If
found, please contact Light of Hearts Villa (LOHV) or FCSLA ". Last year
one balloon was reportedly found near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border in November
2005.
The Committee consisted of the following: Junior members, Patrick & Ricky
Hawk, and Senior members, Dr. Debbie Brindza, Sr. Helen Scansy, S.C., Catherine
Ruzinok, Christine Kiggins and LOHV staff members, Susan Timmons and Janet
Kodrich. This committee was successfully chaired by our National Auditor, Barbara
Sekerak.
Our Junior Members once again enjoyed naming a batch of goldfish to replenish
the Pond at LOHV, while the Cleveland District donated two park benches for
the 68 residents of the Villa, who can now enjoy the beautified outdoors.
The Mayor of Bedford sent representative, Marilyn Zolota, council person for
the city, to convey the Mayor's thanks to the Join Hands Day volunteers for
their time and dedication beautifying the city, and to congratulate them for
a job well done.
Sr. Helen led everyone in a short prayer service in which Fr. Gerard Gonda,
O.S.B. along with several youth members of the FCSLA did readings. We concluded
by singing This Land is Your Land and God Bless America. Everyone then released
their balloons. All the volunteers and residents who participated were invited
indoors where pizza, pop, coffee and cake were served, as they were entertained
by a young magician named, David Mlakar. And our district president, Joyce
Lechman, made certain that every LOHV resident received a carnation as a thank
you for helping making this a very special Join Hands Day. Everyone enjoyed
the activities of another successful Join Hands Day and is looking forward
to Join Hands Day 2007.
Join Hands Day is a national event that unites young people and adults in
an effort to make their neighborhoods better. This past May, volunteer teams
performed a myriad of projects. Take a look what happened when FCSLA members
got involved in their local communities.
Learn more about FCSLA in the community.
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