Mission: Mindful of Jesus’ admonition that “Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me (Matthew 25:40), SMM Lazarus Ministry seeks to help families living in the Lee Road hotels to move into more suitable housing and to ease the already arduous burden of poverty by making available the necessities of life as the first step to a more fruitful life, especially for children.
Back-to-School Supply Drive Update
Many thanks to all that helped make for another successful Lazarus Event - none of this happens without generous parishioners! Parishioner volunteers braved scorching heat on the afternoon of August 4 to distribute all the supplies. donated by Parishioners. Even in an economically challenging year, Parishioners gave more than ever. In addition to 150 backpacks full of school supplies for the children in the hotels, parishioners also donated enough socks & underwear for each child - usually, we offer supplies or socks & underwear. That all the supplies were distributed is evidence that the need for support of families living in hotels is as great as ever - typically, we have items left to offer later to others in need. Our volunteers also staffed a Prayer Table, Face painting, grilling & serving food, and set up & break down the event.
As always, we continue to work hand-in-hand with our partners at the Winter Park Neighborhood Center for Families. Not only did they manage the pre-registrations, but they also donated food for our volunteers to cook, they arranged for an ice cream truck at the event, many kids' activities, and numerous community services represented.
2022 Lazarus Calendar
Below are the events in support of families living in hotels on Lee Road we plan to hold throughout the remainder of 2022. Any updates to this calendar in terms of dates or themes will be posted here as they occur.
Posting this calendar serves not only to help interested Parishioners to plan their support of the Lazarus Ministry but also allows other Ministries to work with the Lazarus Ministry to work with Hotel Residents either by helping at the planned events or offering their own supporting events in between those posted below.
11/22/22 - Thanksgiving (TBD)
12/17/22 - Christmas (nature of help TBD)
Be sure to "bookmark" to visit this page as the year goes on to keep apprised of details as to how to be involved will be posted here as well as in Church bulletins and e-blasts as time for each event draws near.
