You Take The Cake Annual Fundraiser brings in almost $21,000

Church Community Services is deeply indebted to many in this community for their contributions to our recent successful fund raiser, You Take the Cake.  We’re grateful to the several hundred businesses and individuals who donated gift certificates, merchandise and funds.  The many special desserts given by bakers and chefs around the area were fabulous and great taste treats. 

 

The real stars were the guests who participated by enjoying the meal and contributing to make it a successful evening.  Of course we could not have pulled this off without the help of many volunteers from our supporting churches, Honor Society and Key Club members from Goshen High School, former clients, plus staff and board members.

 

Special acknowledgements go to our event sponsors:  Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Hopman Jewelers, Classic Transport, and Trinity Gardens.  Additional thanks go to these individuals who went above and beyond with their time and skills—Debbie Chris, Pat Watson, Barb Fridley, Michael Delfine and Joy & Roy Dabbs.

 

We are blessed to be part of such a generous and caring community.  We especially appreciate this ongoing support as we see a growing number of people coming to us for food, rent, utility and prescription assistance.  May God bless each one in this season of sharing.

 

Dean Preheim-Bartel

Executive Director

Church Community Services

 

Spring Tea Success!

The  2008 Spring “Tea with Ruth and Friends” was held on May 3 at Living Faith Fellowship Church in Elkhart.  This year’s tea raised $3045 for CCS and it’s  Soup Of Success program, over $400 more than the last Spring tea! 

 Jack Donis serves tea with a smile.

One of the unique opportunities available at the Teas are free car rides with Steve Stoner (below) and his beautiful antique car.  Steve attends both the Spring & Christmas teas and is available to answer questions, pose with pictures, and even chauffer you on a little jaunt around the neighborhood.

The 1927 Model A Ford drew attention parked outside of the Living Faith Fellowship Church in Elkhart.

Don & Ruth Rockwell (pictured below) are long term supporters of Church Community Services.  Don, a former CCS Board member, works as a part time client counselor working directly with clients in crisis.  Don also serves as the Financial Officer, managing our books and fiances.  In 2006, Don was named CCS’ “Volunteer of the Year”.  Ruth leads a team of over 100 volunteers in implementing (2) Victorian fundraising teas each year.  In addition to the many “labor-of-love” hours dedicated to tea preparation, Ruth also serves as the Congregational Partner (liason) for River Oaks Community Church.  In 2007, Ruth was awarded the Soup Of Success “Souperwoman Award”  in recognition for going above and beyond.

There are plenty of activities available for the littler tea guests as well including:  children’s crafts, face painting, games, and of course – tea!

Tea goers are delighted by the wide array of amazing delicacies available.  There are even people on hand to explain what each item is along with information of it’s origin and history.  Tremendous treats to delight both young and old!

Along with the admission fee of $5 and a canned good for the CCS pantry, “Tea Baskets” are one of the ways that the tea raises funds for the agency.  All but 4 of the 142 gift baskets made for the event were sold.  The baskets were available in all sizes and themes.  Whether you were looking for a special mother’s day gift, or something for baby, anniversary, birthday, etc., you were sure to find a unique, affordable gift for every need.

Below, members of a local Red Hat Society club browse through the themed baskets available for sale.

Already, the tea volunteers are hard at work on the Christmas tea.  Mark your calendars for December 6, 2008!

Benefits for Church Community Services

Interested in an escorted bike ride throughout Elkhart County? A blessing of your bike and yourself? Music, fellowship, food and door prizes?

Interested in a fashion show and dessert bar?

Interested in supporting families and individuals in need throughout Elkhart County?

Interested in helping to feed the hungry and provide assistance to people in crisis?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then come to the benefits happening this weekend!

On Saturday, May 17, 2008, Creekside Church of the Brethren is hosting their second annual Blessing of the Bikes and Riders and escorted ride through Elkhart County. Registration is from 9:00am – 11:00am, the blessing of bikes and riders is at 11:05am, and the ride departs by 11:30am. Music, fellowship, food, and door prizes are following the ride, and there is a $15 requested donation per rider – and all proceeds are donated to Church Community Services! Creekside Church of the Brethren is located at 60455 CR 113, Elkhart, IN, 46517; for more information, contact blessingofthebikes@creeksideconnected.com or visit bikes.creeksideconnnected.com. This weekend will hopefully be a beautiful one – so come out and support Church Community Services at the Blessing of the Bikes!

~~ UPDATE ~~ 

Creekside’s Blessing of the Bikes brought in $450 for CCS!

Another fundraiser benefiting Church Community Services is happening on Sunday – ‘Dude Looks Like a Lady’. The latest fashions for women will be modeled… on men! This fashion show fundraiser is at 6:00pm on Sunday, May 18, 2008 at Jamestown United Methodist Church (59218 CR 3 South, Elkhart, IN, 46517). Tickets are $20 and there is a dessert bar reception immediately following the show. For ticket information, call 574-293-3905. ‘Dude Looks Like a Lady’ promises to provide an evening of fun with all proceeds going to Church Community Services!

Support Church Community Services this weekend at Blessing of the Bikes and Dude Looks Like a Lady!