Friday, December 7, 2007

Greater Harmony Chorus

Donna Knapp is a former employee of NOH and long-time member of the Greater Harmony Chorus, an award-winning Sweet Adeline International chorus. They have been generous supporters of NOH and this year their giving continues as they present "Harmonize the Holidays," a free concert for family and friends.

Admission is free, and they will be collecting toys and cash donations to benefit the Give-A-Gift program.

The show starts this Saturday, December 8th, at 7:30 PM at Richland Elementary School in Gibsonia.
Come out to sing along and help a family in need this holiday!

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Remembering


John Szymanski (1931-2007), our food bank coordinator for many years, passed away on Sunday, December 2nd after a long, good fight with cancer. Today I attended his Celebration of Life service, which some call a funeral. The former is much more appropriate for this one who lived fully and lived well before us all. It was a touching time surrounded by fondness as we recalled all that he represented, all he had done and all that he will now experience in his new, whole life.

I wish there was time to write all that John has meant to me and others, but these are a few of the words that immediately come to mind about this authentic man: love, integrity, knowledge, compassion, sacrifice, selflessness, service, committment, kindness, humor, gentleness, faith, strength, wisdom, community, empathy and hope.

Maybe you'd like to post a comment about John as an act of modern remembrance. Please join us in this celebration of one with whom we are fortunate to have been associated.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Johnny Angel & the Halos Concert Gift Drive

Holiday music is one of the best parts of this season, so we're bringing just that to you, this weekend, from some of Pittsburgh's best talent.

JOHNNY ANGEL & THE HALOS, Pete Hewlett, Bill Dell & Wee Jams, and Jana Snavely are GENEROUSLY donating their time and talent as part of a concert gift drive to support the Network of Hope's Give A Gift program.

Admission is FREE-we just ask that you bring a NEW, unwrapped gift (no stuffed animals, please) for infants, kids or teens. We particularly need gifts for older kids and teens.

Doors open at 5:15 PM. Enjoy the sounds of the season while helping a family in need.

Hope to see you there!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

ON THE RADIO



NOH's Kate Gordon and Deana Leone will be guests on the John & Stephanie Show (101.5 FM) on Monday, November 26th at 4 PM. We'll be promoting Give-A-Gift and the upcoming Johnny Angel concert. Tune in to hear the latest!

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Angel Food Boot Camp

Kate and I are at the Angel Food Boot Camp this week. After some severe trial & error, & error with our GPS system, we finally arrived and are ready to share about Network of Hope.

Angel Food is a ministry that allows anyone, from any income bracket to purchase groceries each month. Groceries are available in boxes of various items, worth approximately $60 for only $25 per box. Individuals may purchase any number of boxes they desire and the program also accepts food stamps as payment. It is often times a gateway for people with multiple needs.

Here are some notes from the sessions:

Steve Donaldson, from Rural Compassion
...the church needs to move beyond its "walls," physical and otherwise, to help people in fundamental, practical ways
...we need to participate in helping people become self reliant, yet interdependent, but NOT dependent
...we want people to become all that God has designed them to be and experience God's best for their lives.
...church is the spiritually based social architect for our communities.
..."The question, 'How big is my church?' should be replaced with, 'How big of an impact is our church making in our community?'" (Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin).

Great stuff! It's about being in RELATIONSHIP with those around us.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Help for Addiction

The Alliance Against Drugs and KDKA are sponsoring an
Open House Resource Fair titled "What Help Looks Like"
tomorrow,
November 2nd from 8:30 am-1 pm
at
Orchard Hill Church. The event is for adults only.


Bruce Edwards, Site Director for
the
NOH Allison Park location,
will participate in the event.







Marty Griffin & "The Real Deal," from KDKA will broadcast
his show from the event, which will include a live discussion
with a panel of experts in the field of drug abuse and addiction.

Network of Hope currently offers Celebrate Recovery at our
Allison Park location on Wednesdays at 7 PM on the 2nd floor.
You can contact that location by calling 412-487-7220.

Quilting for Hope

A beautiful, hand-made quilt was raffled off at Fall Fest with the proceeds benefitting Network of Hope. Mike Kunkel (left) is the winner!

Thanks to the hard work and generosity of the APC Quilters, Joann Bouda, Heather Collins, Nancy Forsythe, Susan Gray, Beth Haubach, Teja Hough, Nancy Laser, Sally Lippert, Helen Marcellus, Anne Martinez & RuthAnn Sesti, for putting their personal touch into supporting NOH.

The APC Quilters meet on the 2nd & 4th Saturday of each month from 9 am-12 pm on the 2nd floor at Allison Park Church. New members are welcomed. Contact Beth 412-492-8696 or Nancy 724-443-3507.