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Reach Out Mental Health at St. James’
Purpose: Hospitality to people in our society who are often overlooked and neglected
Benefits: Adults (approximately 70) from Cobb County public agencies:
Severe mental illness
Developmental disabilities
Senior Citizens
Program: Monthly lunch and bingo with prizes
Contact: Lynda Gotko, Chair
Reach Out Mental Health is a unique ministry in our community. Once a month, five different Cobb County public agencies that provide mental health and developmental disability services bring their consumers to St. James’ for lunch and to play bingo.
The support of this outreach ministry is funded by ECW’s annual fund-raisers, a percentage of the Outreach budget from the Christmas and Easter offerings, and from donations from individual parishioners. Also, the Men’s Club has given generously.
These funds make possible the monthly lunches, bingo prizes, and a special Spring dinner and a Christmas dinner with gifts. Contributions may be made through the above avenues or directly to St. James’ for the Reach Out Mental Health account.
Reach Out marks its 30th year at St. James’ in 2009. During this time, it has received much recognition: many plaques and certificates, volunteer lunches, a nomination for the J.C. Penny Golden Rule Award, and two nominations for the Cobb County United Way Volunteer Organization of the Year.
On the third Mondays of each month, volunteers set the tables, put out bingo prizes, prepare approximately 140 sandwiches, serve the guests and clean up. We begin about 9:15 and end at 1:00. A volunteer may come for all or part of this time.
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Outreach to Community and World