 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Service Projects
Dominican Republic Service Trip Soup Kitchen PCF 5K Run Ottsville Firehouse
Dominican Republic Service Trip
Elizabeth,
The group was fabulous. One of the things that really stood apart was the way that the team looked out for one another and supported each person. The group also integrated fabulously with the Dominican children and people. The caring spirit that the group showed to everyone they came into contact with was contagious. I loved the nightly sharing and lifting up of the positive things that each member had done during the day. That is what comes to mind most about your team, the gracious love and caring that they showed to the Dominicans and to one another. Oh yeah, and the dance/tumbling party in the church! ;)
Kristin Hammer - Director of Missions, Foundation For Peace
Press Release from 2011
This spring, during their April vacation, 13 students from the Palisades Community will be traveling to the Dominican Republic. All 13 students are members of the Palisades Youth Crew (PYC), the youth division of the Palisades Community Foundation co-directed by Elizabeth Cruickshank and Lynette Reed. The purpose of the trip will be to assist a small impoverished community outside of Santo Domingo in building an elementary school. The trip grew out of senior group member, Conner Reed's idea for an overseas service project. In fact, Connor Reed is co-leading the trip with Elizabeth Cruickshank and will be providing much needed Spanish translation, among other leadership duties, during the trip.
The students will be working in cooperation with the Foundation for Peace, a service organization with more than twenty years of experience in the region. They will also be working alongside residents of the local community in La Javilla de la Cruz. "Together with the local community we will be finishing the school’s roof so that the children will not be standing in polluted rain waters” says youth group leader Elizabeth Cruickshank, "but the real benefit to both our youth and the community in the Dominican, is the opportunity for interaction and personal relationships." The Palisades group, which will also consist of six adult chaperones, will spend seven days in country.
To fund the trip, the students themselves took an active role in raising money and approaching local businesses and organizations for donations. Durham Press generously sponsored a full tuition for a youth to attend the trip. Wehrung's Home Center, Bloom Chiropractic, Heidi's Flowers and Gifts and Fig Tree Market and Catering are among the local businesses which have helped out with significant monetary donations. Other businesses and individuals have offered material goods, which are greatly needed in the Dominican Republic. Chiropractor, Greg Stokes donated baseballs and a glove, knowing, full well, the popularity of baseball in the country. "The community in which we will be working is extremely poor and therefore do not have many of the things we take for granted," said co-trip leader, Connor Reed, “I have always been drawn to other cultures and I am confident this experience will change my perspective to be more thankful for what I have”.
PYC is accepting donations through April 15th, 2011 at each of the area public schools for used baseballs, gloves and bats to take with them. Additionally, the group is collecting supplies, such as markers, crayons, pencils, erasers, paper, and scissors, for the school in the Dominican. For any individuals or businesses interested in financially helping the Palisades Youth Group with future service trips or other group endeavors, inquiries and donations can be directed to Palisades Community Foundation at www.pcfnow.com or mailed to: PO Box 521, Ottsville, PA 18942, indicating that the donation is intended for the youth group. The Palisades Youth Crew would like to thank the Springtown Rod and Gun Club for their continued support in hosting the group’s bi-weekly meetings.
PCF's annual 5K, runs along to the finish each year with a boost from our Youth. Beginning with our folding, stamping, sealing, addressing and sorting of the advance notice and registration flyer to the potential participants, and finishing with our assistance on race day, our members add a little fuel to this race. Helping at the water station, serving at the food table or running a message across the event site, their willingness and flexibility improve the quality of the run for all involved.
The Firehouse Community Service by the Younger group members: Members from the Palisades Youth Crew have supported the Ottsville Firehouse Roast Beef dinner Fundraiser by serving meals, working in the kitchen, and helping with clean-up. The PYC members said they had fun meeting and serving people from the community. The members felt a sense of pride knowing that they helped the Firehouse raise money for a very important community service. The feedback from the Ottsville Firehouse members was very positive. They really enjoyed having well-mannered and positive youngsters help serve the dinners and help with all the clean-up. Many of the patrons were older members of the community and enjoyed spending a few moments chatting with the youth.