OGT: Assembly Day tomorrow!

Hi Everyone,

Things have been a bit hectic around here – sorry for the lack of posts!

Last week was our OGT Shopping Day where we picked up enough stuff to fill 35 Street Packs!

Lo and behold, God surprised us with even more support on Sunday during our last collection day. We now have enough donations to fill 40 Street Packs! Thanks so much for all your support!

We will not only be able to touch 40 street youth, but we have also raised $580 for Youth Unlimited’s Emergency Fund!

So what’s next, you ask?

Join us tomorrow for Assembly Day! Held at Mississauga Chinese Baptist Church in the Gym, from 2-5pm.

It’ll be great fun!

See you then!

OGT update

We’re at about 17 Street Packs! Thanks so much for everyone who’s pledged and/or brought in their donations so far!!!

As stated in the previous post, our goal this year is 60 Street Packs!

Deadline to bring in donations is this Sunday! If you have pledged to give items or a full pack – you can bring in your gifts on Assembly Day (all are welcome!) But please let us know if that’s what you plan to do.

For those who are still deciding how to participate, we encourage monetary gifts just so we can buy things in bulk and have greater savings.

For those who have decided to shop for individual items, we are especially low on the following (new items only please!):

• Sleeping bags – minus 5C is ideal
• Restaurant gift cards – YU recommends $20 value for Tim’s or McD’s – they’re easy to find
• Gloves - size L or XL, dark coloured, durable, water-resistant preferred
• Hair brushes – not combs

Also remember to block off your calendars for Assembly Day on Saturday, December 5th, from 2-5pm! It’ll be in the gym, and will be tons of fun!!!

If anyone can offer to bake some goodies, or bring in snacks to share on Assembly Day, please contact us. Any help would be much appreciated!

And last, but certainly not least, please keep this project in your prayers!

Questions? Comments? Let us know.

movein.to

The MoveIn Conference is this weekend, May 8-9, 2009!

This is a conference geared towards 18-29 year olds who are interested in moving into the broken neighbourhoods of our cities. There are 38 neighbourhoods listed, including locations in Toronto, Mississauga, and Ottawa. The breakdown of the event:

Friday: 7-10pm. Come and HEAR what God is doing. Planning for 2,000 people. Come early (6:30) for refreshments. A BIG night: worship, stories, challenge, free books, multimedia

Saturday: 9am-5:30pm. For those seriously considering “moving in.” Exploring the possibilities. Free. Pizza lunch, city-wide target-neighbourhood tours (bring your car if you have one), mega connections… possibly one of the biggest days of your life.

More info available here: http://movein.to/

See you there!

Thank You

The results of Operation Good Thing (OGT) 2008 were published in the latest issue of Youth Unlimited’s newsletter. Last year – in the program’s 14th year – OGT received its highest record of donations!

And our group contributed 20% of YU’s total Street Packs (38 out of 184)!!! Amazing!!! It’s also great encouragement to see the packs in use too. We’ve seen it on the streets!

Thanks again to everyone’s contributions last year and continued commitment to reach out to our greater community!

- Cecilia

Volunteer next week at Open Door with MCAC

Hey everyone!

Hope you’re all doing well.

A great volunteer opportunity organized by Cliff Tam from MCAC.

Please see message below…

Cecilia

—————————————-

Open Door is having a monthly night where they will bring a bunch of clothes and give it away.  They need assistance in sorting clothes and transporting them.  If you do not know what Open Door is, they are a drop-in centre located in Square One (more info at http://www.shopsqua reone.com/ stores.asp? store=364).

There are two opportunies next week:

Wednesday, 25th (7-9 pm)
- sorting in the store room

Monday, 30th (6:15 pm)
- transport of clothing to the centre

4-5 helpers, not more than 6.

If you are interested on helping out, please let Cliff knowat cliff.tam@gmail. com.

OGT: last call

Thanks so much for everyone’s support so far in this year’s OGT event!

Just want to remind everyone that this Sunday (Nov 30) is the last day that the OGT Table will be set up, for you to drop off donations. If you are planning to donate a package, please let us know ASAP! Thanks!

Also, remember to join us on December 6th for Assembly Day! We’ll be in the gym from 2pm to 5pm.

CTC for OGT

There’s a new way to give to Operation Good Thing (OGT)!

Cards That Care (CTC) are now available for sale! You can purchase cards (they come in 10- and 12-pack sets) and the proceeds from your purchase will be given to your choice of either two charities: OGT or THS.

Cards will be available for sale this Sunday. Come find Theresa or myself, or post a comment to reserve cards.

- Cecilia

Thanks to Theresa for making OGT one of the receipients of CTC proceeds!

operation good thing

New page is up for our Christmas project, Operation Good Thing (OGT)! All news regarding OGT will be updated there, so check back often!

street level 2009

StreetLevel IV: A Legacy of Justice

Presented by The National Roundtable on Poverty and Homelessness

“A national conference designed to network, resource, encourage and euqip those who work among homeless and street-involved youth and adults, or are interested in engaging in relevant social justice issues.”

March 25-28, 2009 @ The Westin Hotel, Downtown Ottawa, Ontario

Speakers include Rev. Pierre Allard, Cheryl Bear, Bruxy Cavey, Tim Huff, Greg Paul, and Rick Tobias.

For more info, including sessions and registration info, visit http://www.streetlevel.ca.

vote to make poverty history

Your vote can make a difference this upcoming election. Check out the Make Poverty History site to see what you can do.

Also, to find the candidates in your riding, visit Elections Canada.