Service Opportunities
We have many service opportunities for those who can share their time, talent and treasure! Please check this page for updates for new service opportunities; we will post them as needed below. Thank you for all your support and God Bless you!
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High School Volunteers Needed for 2024 Vacation Bible School!
Please read through the VBS Student Volunteer and Parent Contract 2024 (below) before you sign up.
VBS Student Volunteer and Parent Contract 2024:
Service Hours
All students will receive a letter listing your number of hours on VBS Friday when you turn in your t-shirt.
Dress Code
Please note: How you dress gives off a big message about how you are. All VBS Volunteers will be given a Colored Coded T-Shirt at the mandatory training meeting that must be worn during VBS. T-Shirts need to be returned on Friday, July 12, 2024 after the Closing Celebration. (Remember to bring a shirt to change into.) Dress in the way a role model for the children would dress:
• No short shorts, jeans-shorts, or frayed shorts. No form-fitting/yoga pants.
• Undergarments must be covered - no sagging pants.
• Please wear sneakers, shoes, or sandals. For safety purposes, no flip flops or crocs.
Behavior
Anyone who is caught fooling around will be sent home and will not receive credit for any of their hours.
Cell Phones
NO ONE is allowed to use cell phone or text from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm during Vacation Bible School.
Training is Mandatory You must attend the training session on either Saturday, June 1 from 10:00 am – 11:30 am OR Monday, June 3, from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm in the School Gym to receive credit for service hours.
Attendance
You MUST be present 8:30 am – 12:30 pm Monday – Thursday and 8:30 am – 12:45 pm on Friday during VBS week, and also attend one training session. No one will be allowed to leave early. Teachers need to sign in and out every day at the tables in front of the Family Faith Formation office. All other VBS volunteers will sign in and out in the gym.
Photo Release
By volunteering for VBS, St. Gregory the Great Family Faith Formation has my permission to use my or my child’s photograph publicly to promote St. Gregory the Great Family Faith Formation. I understand that the images may be used in our print publications, online publications, presentations, websites, and social media. I have read the above VBS requirements and agree to the terms. I understand that I will be sent home if I do not abide with them.
Volunteer spots are available until June 1, 2024 or until filled.
Youth Volunteers Promise To:
❖ Arrive on time and stay until the time I agreed on
❖ Dress neatly and modestly – Please read Contract before signing
❖ Act appropriately with the students
❖ Be respectful with parents and other adults
❖ Not to use my cell phone or text while I am volunteering
❖ Notify the Family Faith Formation office immediately if I cannot keep any part of my commitment
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SERVICE PROJECTS FOR FFF STUDENTS in Grades 5-10:
• Thinking of you Cards for our Shut-in Parishioners:
All our FFF students are invited to create cards of encouragement for our shut-in parishioners. Cards can be dropped off in the Parish Office vestibule 24/7 in the appropriately labeled box. Our parish staff will mail them out accordingly.
at 818 Ellicott St. Buffalo, NY 14203:
Bring any of the following items to Oishei's Children's Hospital:
Coloring books · crayons · Toys · Story books · Games
You can also make or purchase greeting cards for kids ("Thinking of You", "Get Well" and Birthday cards). If you sign the cards, please only use your first name and last name initial (ie. Johnny A.).
• Bring Cheer to the Seniors in Area Nursing Homes:
Spread kindness by making or purchasing Thinking of you or Birthday greeting cards with personal notes of encouragement for our area nursing homes. If you sign the card, please only use your first name and last name initial. Other items such as hand cream, tissues, books, magazines, used jewelry (in good condition) seasonal decorations for residents to decorate their rooms are also appreciated. Please drop off (or mail) items directly to any of the facilities where some of our parishioners reside:
· Beechwood Nursing Home ,2235 Millersport Rd. Getzville, NY 14068
· Brompton Heights, 275 Brompton Rd. Williamsville, NY 14221
· Brothers of Mercy, 10500 Bergtold Rd. Clarence NY 14031
· Canterbury Woods, 705 Renaissance Dr. Williamsville, NY 14221
· Elderwood Nursing Home, 200 Bassett Rd. Williamsville, NY 14221
· Harris Hill Nursing Home, 2699 Wherle Dr. Williamsville, NY 14221
· St. Francis Home, 1247 Reist St. Williamsville, NY 14221
• Make INDIVIDUAL CARE KITS for the Homeless:
You can make Individual Care Kits that can be distributed to individuals in various homeless shelters in the Buffalo area. Gather supplies and fill one gallon sized plastic zip lock bags with personal supplies and or small snacks. It would be nice to include a homemade card or a prayer card to let them know that you are praying for them. Please only use your first name and last name initial if you sign the card. The Individual Care Kits you make should be brought directly to the agency of your choice; Please see agency addresses below. Next to some of the agencies, we have listed additional items they may need. Anything you include in these Indidivual Care Kits will be very much appreciated.
Suggestions: You can fill the individual bags with items (standard or travel size) such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, bar of soap, comb, shampoo, wash cloth, deodorant, face mask, small packaged snacks or breakfast bars. A homemade card or prayer card would be thoughtful. For men: disposable razors and shaving cream are always very useful.
Where to drop off the Individual Care Kits that you make:
(These are Agencies in the Buffalo Area that help the homeless.)
· Buffalo City Mission, 100 E. Tupper St., Buffalo, NY 14203
· Friends of the Night People, 394 Hudson St., Buffalo, NY 14201
· Gerard Place, 2515 Bailey Ave., Buffalo, NY 14215
(toys, games, diapers & baby items)
· Harvest House, 175 Jefferson Ave. Buffalo NY 14210
(toys, games, diapers & baby items)
· Response to Love, 130 Kosciuszko St. Buffalo, NY 14212
(toys, games, diapers & baby items)
· St. Luke's Mission of Mercy, 324 Walden Ave, Buffalo, NY 14211
(toys, games, diapers & baby items)
• Donate to ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
(white house at St. Gregory Parish near the school)
Donate used clothing. Just place donation in the collection bins near white house any time. You can also collect canned and nonperishable food to help resupply theSVDP Food Pantry. Please call them first at 688-5678, ext. 423 to schedule your donation drop off. Leave a message and they will return your call.
• Be a Good Neighbor by offering help to an elderly neighbor:
Cut their grass
Do yard work (weed flower beds etc.)
Take out their garbage cans to the curb for pick-up and bring back empty cans
Call and ask if they need anything from the store
Walk their dog
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"We must restore hope to young people, help the old,
be open to the future, spread love. Be poor among the poor.
We need to include the excluded and preach peace."