St. Christopher's Children

UPDATE...July 18, 2010

 

Something special is about to happen.  For some time we have planned to partner with Tara Hall Home For Boys.  After a preliminary meeting with a board member and the executive director there is a strong possibility that a relationship will be forged with Tara Hall, one that will enable St. Christopher's to go one step further and to find a home for some homeless waifs.  Beyond that, the possibilities are endless.  I will now let your mind conjure up all of the possibilities and will fill you in as discussions progress.

 

We have crossed the threshhold of 700 children since we formed St. Christopher's Children two and a half years ago.  We expect to reach the 1,000 mark by year end having provided decent clothing to children in a family crisis.  Other youngsters now have eye glasses to help them with their school work and many others have braces on their teeth.  This is so necessary so children can perform academically in school, and to be accepted within their peer groups.

 

As school will begin within a few weeks it is important that we shore up our reserves.  We hope to touch some of our angels who will bless us with adequate resources to meet the needs of our charges.  Hopefully all of you will respond in some way to our appeal.

 

The Georgetown County School District presented St. Christopher's Children with their very special  "Hero Award" in recognition ot our service to the school children of the County.  Three of our Board Member Volunteers Glenda Baker Taylor, Lawly Pate Ford and Jerry Harper were present at the award ceremony.  One of these days we may be fortunate enough to have an office where we can display many of the awards we have received including the gift of a magnificent painting by artist Carla  Schuchman appropriately titled "In The Lap Of My Father".  There is a tragic story behind that gift that is being written into a book.  Carla had originally given STCC the painting to use at a fundraising, but the story and the beauty of the painting belongs in a special place, one that wt one day hope to name "St. Christopher's Children's Sanctuary"  A place where children can be loved and cared for and grow to become productive citizens of society.

 

Our program to assist young women, many of school age, with the care of their babies is progressing.  We have supplied baby clothing and over 36,000 diapers through agencies that refer these special requirements to us.

 

St. Christopher's Children continues to be entirely volunteer driven.  We have no paid employees and rely on generous citizens, faith and social service organizations to fund our activities.

 

2009 YEAR END REPORT

TO OUR DONOR/INVESTORS AND SUPPORTERS

 

A remarkable second year of service has come and gone, and our mission to help children has once again exceeded our expectations.  In the past year, we expanded our service area into all 18 schools in Georgetown County.  More than 340 children were assisted with a combination of clothing, eye glasses and dental care that included orthodontic appliances for 12 children.  To date, we have successfully helped more than 580 children.

 

More than 24,000 diapers were supplied to agencies during 2009 for distribution to young mothers in hopes that the support would encourage them to remain in school and to graduate.  The children helped in this instance are not included in our “child count” but would easily increase the count by approximately 125 children.   

 

Increased screening for dental and eye problems throughout the school system during the 2009/2010 school year highlighted many health problems that needed to be addressed.  One of our service partners assumed responsibility for routine eye care and dental care sending those cases beyond its charter of responsibility to St. Christopher’s Children (STCC) for care.  To the extent it can, STCC has helped all children, including some considered “pre-school” and others identified by school nurses to be in a family crisis.

 

A surge in requests for warm clothing during November and December kept our volunteer staff busy shopping and delivering clothing.  Purchase vouchers were promptly issued enabling STCC’s shoppers to purchase clothing and personal items as needed.  The request rate exceeded 96 in December.  The Coats for Kids project was successful as 500+ coats were collected with the cooperation of the Rotary Club and the Pawleys Island Women’s club.  Carolina Dry Cleaning refreshed the garments that were delivered to county schools, Teach My People, and other social service agencies.  The value of the coats or the dry cleaning is not reflected in STCC’s financial statements at this time.    

 

Of the 340 children referred to STCC for assistance in 2009, 116 were female and 224 male, averaging 9.6 years old.  The children helped ranged from newborn babies to 17 years old teenagers.  The racial composition of the group closely follows county demographics.

 

St. Christopher’s Children obtains referrals primarily from public school nurses, guidance counselors and principals - followed closely by the Department of Social Services with foster children, Guardians ad Litem, Amedisys, and the Georgetown Marine Institute.  Other social service organizations such as CASA have been notified of the availability of assistance.

 

Funding for St. Christopher’s was provided by our directors and volunteers, generous individuals, banks, local businesses, service clubs, and faith-based organizations such as ladies’ guilds and outreach programs at local churches.  Additionally, grants were received from The Sisters of Charity Foundation the Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation (subject to matching funds), The Sunshine Lady Foundation and All Saints Church.   Additionally, two successful fundraising events were conducted during the year.   A list of organizations and individuals who have supported STCC is on our web site, www.stchristopherschildren.org

 

The goal for 2010 is to help at least 600 of the approximately 800 abused, abandoned, and economically deprived children scattered throughout the county who require assistance.  With the expanded financial support of the community, we will meet this goal.

 

Respectfully Submitted

Robert P. C. Pelletier, President

The Lord will provide for all of them as he did for five thousand with but a few loaves of bread and a few fish brought by a boy.

Can we count on you?

Our ability to satisfy all of the assistance requests rests on the support of generous individuals in the community including our friends in Facebook, Twitters and expecially those that do so through this web site.

Contributions can also be made through our FACEBOOK link:
   http://apps.facebook.com/causes/231981/41977870?m=6d54c0aa

St. Christopher's Children's is funded by generous social and faith based organizations,  businesses in the community, and especially by generous individuals such as yourself.   

Donations will be acknowledged in writing in compliance with Internal Revenue regulations.     

 All donor information is regarded as confidential.