PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN of First Presbyterian Church Birmingham Michigan

OPPORTUNITY GIVING 2010

Presbyterian Women

First Presbyterian Church, Birmingham Michigan

1. Skyline Camp and Retreat Center, Almont, Michigan $ 1,000.

Skyline is requesting funds to replace broken tile and marcite for the pool to be repaired for the summer camp 2011. Campers of all ages and abilities enjoy the pool as an important part of their summer camping experience. Sadly, for many campers whom are differently able (adults and children), or financially challenged, swimming in an outdoor pool, situated in nature, is a rare experience. The joy, sense of accomplishment, and memories experienced by the campers is impossible to quantify, but easy to see with the smiles on their faces.

2. Birmingham Area Senior Coordinating Council (BASCC), Birmingham $ 1,500.

The mission of BASCC is to identify and meet the needs of older adults by soliciting and coordi- nating community resources to provide educational, recreational and social programs; supportive outreach services; and volunteer opportunities. This funding will be used to defray expenses involved in administering their extensive Outreach Services, such as Support Groups, Information and Referral, Meals–on-Wheels, Medicare/Medicaid and Legal Counseling, Home Repair and Yard Services, Loan Closet of Medical Equipment, Housing and Health Care Options.

3. Communities of Faith for Ghana (COF), Attica, Indiana $ 2,000

COF works in direct partnership with churches, village leaders and schools in Ghana. The primary partner is the Presbyterian Church of Ghana. While a mission team was visiting the small village of Apire that had no school, no market, no sanitation and no clean water source, the team decided the future of the village depended upon educating children. Money was sent to purchase building materials for the school which opened in 2009 with three rooms, thirty students. Funding will be used to finish the construction with windows, doors, property walls, and buy basic school supplies, teaching aids, and lockable cabinet. $500 will fund an Aged Program of Christ PC, a full day event for homebound seniors providing transportation, medical check-ups, worship & communion, and more.

4. Mexico Mission Trips 2011, B’ham First Presbyterian Church $ 3,000

The Mission Trips (medical and construction) are with the Yucatan Peninsula Missions to provide the members of FPC the opportunity to labor in love for brothers and sister in the Yucatan, to build community within the mission teams, engage another culture respectfully and compassionately, and live out our faith in Jesus Christ through serving others. The medical trip in March 2011 provides direct healthcare and wellness education, seeing about 300 patients. The April 2011 construction trip will continue working in a village secondary Christian school, and provide construction materials. The funding request is for $200 for each participant to lower the cost of the trip, making it possible for some people, particularly youth, to participate who might not otherwise be able to. The young people will have the benefit of knowing their church family supports their mission efforts.

5. Second Mile Center, 18391 Morang, Detroit $ 1,000

The Second Mile Center was organized 3 ½ years ago by Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of Detroit and maintains a clothing and food pantry, a day camp summer program, a Monday night community program with a meal, Synod Health Fair, a safe haven, mime and drama groups, and more. The funding will be used to help with costs of the after school programs held each week Detroit Schools are in session to provide materials for teaching K-12 graders who come without homework, to increase their reading and math skills. Uniforms and school supplies are needed as well as hiring of tutors and teachers for special classes.

6. Pontiac Shared Partnership $ 1,500

Partners are First Presbyterian Church, Alcott Elementary School and Lincoln Middle School with the goal to share the gift of literacy to enhance reading and math literacy of students and to uplift the teachers. The purpose of this request is to provide a stimulus for study at home, that is, “study sox.” The cushioned “study sox” would be used by the 660 middle high students at home. The sox are to be worn while reading and doing homework, and would provide a warmer, comforting environment for children’s feet as the winter months approach. The goal is to see increased achievement and desire to learn, as was the outcome of a similar effort.

7. Baldwin Center, 212 Baldwin Avenue, Pontiac $ 1,000

Baldwin Center feeds, clothes, educates and empowers the disadvantaged/poor in Pontiac in an environment of safety and dignity providing the means for individual growth and toward economic self-sufficiency and personal wholeness. This funding is to support a growing After School Program which brings enrichment and recreational programming of tutoring, small learning groups, homework assistance, leadership training, organized working library, computer lab, fitness and nutrition programs, organic/urban gardening, guitar and sewing lessons, evening meals, and more. This funding would enable Baldwin Center to continue to be a source of safety, encouragement, respect and vision for Pontiac youth.

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Total: $11,000.

October 27, 2010

LP