The theme of the 22nd Faire is “BLESSED†As The Book of Acts 20:35 tells us, “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.†And give the Faire does; 100% of the proceeds generated are donated to the Parish’s Outreach Partners (a full list of whom are below).
Four Pacific Palisades residents are heading up the 2013 Christmas Faire effort: Monica de Haan and Ryan Marie Brooks are serving as auction co-chairs while Courtney Sheldon and Mary Vig are the event co-chairs.
“We plan to honor the traditions of the Faire while adding a few new touches to keep it current,†said deHaan of her second year as co-chair.
“It’s a truly joyous event. Catching up with friends and shopping for that special someone while helping people,†said Sheldon who is also in her position for a second year, “what a great way to start off the holidays.â€
Brooks and Vig who are co-chairing for the first time “are delighted to be a part of an event that helps our outreach partners to carry Christ’s work in to the world.â€
As part of its neighborly efforts, the 2013 Christmas Faire will once again extend formal invitations — and two complimentary drink tickets — to our neighbors along Bienveneda Avenue in the hope that they will rejoice in the holiday season with us.
For more information on the 22nd annual St. Matthew’s Christmas Faire see:
http://www.stmatthews.com/church/christmasfaire.php
The organizations listed below will benefit from the Christmas Faire:
Angel Interfaith Network (Project Angel) – Provide funds for housing, food, transportation and supplies for low-income families with babies born at County+ USC Medical Center
Chrysalis – Fund job training and placement for homeless/low-income individuals
CLARE Foundation – Support teens at risk for substance abuse through Clarity for Youth program
Common Ground – Provide funding for the new youth drop-in lounge that will help give homeless youth access to HIV/Aids related services including education, prevention, testing and counseling
Dorcas House – Fund staffing for this foster home for 50 children in Tijuana
PRISM /Restorative Justice – Support pastoral care for prison inmates at the Twin Towers and youth at Juvenile Hall
Episcopal Urban Intern Program – Provide funds to expand the program to 28 interns, serving social service agencies throughout Los Angeles
GAIA (Global Aid Interfaith Alliance) – Provide funds to employ and train community care givers in impoverished African villages of rural Malawi
Hollygrove – Fund the Family Finding Program for abused and neglected children
Jubilee Consortium – Support the Jubilee Health Justice Project for inner city youth at 10 sites in Los Angeles
NYA (Neighborhood Youth Association) – Provide funding for the Personal Best Program to help at- risk children in West Los Angeles
OPCC (formerly Ocean Park Community Center) – Provide funds for food and shelter for people who are homeless, living with mental illness, suffering from substance addiction or are survivors of domestic violence
Safe Place for Youth (SPY) – Fund staff that support the work of providing support services for homeless youth in Los Angeles
St. Joseph Center – Pay the stipend for the Episcopal Urban Intern who helps locate housing for the homeless
St. Joseph’s Center’s Bread & Roses Café – Fund partial salary for the chef that serves meals to low income and homeless families and individuals, including veterans and seniors
Westside Food Bank – Provide funds for purchase and distribution of essential nutrition for ultra low-income individuals and families (One dollar provides four meals to someone in need)