Guest column by Karen Swietlik

Christ the Redeemer Catholic Community held their 7th Annual St. Nicholas Project, a day of outreach on Dec. 7.

Over 700 parishioners volunteered at many local non-profit agencies giving approximately 1700 hours of time.

“Doing Christmas for others before we celebrate Christmas ourselves” is the motivation behind this project.

Parishioners spent the day wrapping gifts, delivering gifts, making bracelets for girls in South Africa, donating items and writing letters to the troops as well as singing carols at nursing homes, working on a Habitat for Humanity house, making mud mats, serving lunch at a soup kitchen and sorting food at several local food pantries.

Over 3000 flyers were distributed to Lake Orion community homes asking for toiletry donations. Volunteers spent the day picking up the generous donations which totaled over 2900 items that were donated to Oxford/Orion FISH and Catholic Community Response Team in Pontiac. Thank you to Kroger and CVS on Baldwin Road for their donation of grocery bags.

The following agencies/programs were on the receiving end of this day of outreach: Bakhita Charities supporting orphaned children in South Africa, Baldwin Soup Kitchen and Youth Center in Pontiac, Cass Community Social Services in Detroit, Catholic Community Response Team in Pontiac, St. Francis Center of Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan in Southfield, Forgotten Harvest in Oak Park, Gleaners Food Bank in Pontiac and Detroit, Gifts for All God’s Children in Rochester Hills, Habitat for Humanity/Oakland County in Pontiac, Hope Warming Center in Pontiac, Lighthouse of Clarkston, Oakland County Children’s Village in Pontiac, Operation Good Cheer in Waterford, Operation Gratitude, writing letters to the U.S. troops overseas, Oxford/Orion FISH, Salvation Army – Red Kettle Bell Ringers, Song and Spirit Institute for Peace, “Snack Pax Program in Berkley and St. Dominic’s Outreach Center in Detroit.

It was a heartwarming day of parishioners reaching out to the local community. If you would like more information on the St. Nicholas Project, contact Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, 248-391-1621.