Tammy McConnell
tmcconnell@resurrectionparishnj.org
973-895-4224 Ext. 109
The Samaritans ministry provides assistance in a variety of ways to those in our parish and extended community who are in need, as well as providing opportunities for parishioners to help meet those needs. If you wish to receive Samaritans-specific communications, please contact Tammy at the email address above.
Our annual events include a springtime Baby Shower for mothers/caregivers and babies in need, a Back-to-School Supplies collection for students served by local agencies, a Turkey and Thanksgiving Food Drive in November and a Christmas Giving Tree collection.
Projected Collection/Sorting Dates for our 2023 Drives are as follows:
Baby Shower - completed in May
Back-to-School Supplies Drive - completed in August
Thanksgiving Turkey & Grocery Shopping Card Drive - completed in November
Christmas Giving Tree - December 9th - 10th
Our 2023 Christmas Giving Tree is taking place now. We are continuing to use an electronic list via the Sign-Up Genius platform for requests. The electronic list can be accessed HERE or via the QR code on the poster in the lower lobby. You will need to enter an email address to select items from the list. All the organizations with whom we worked last year have returned for this year. Several of the organizations continue to request gift cards only. There are still client families and a few organizations who have requested items other than gift cards, as well. All donated items must be dropped off to the lower lobby or the Main Office by 11:00am on Sunday, December 10th. The opening message for this event in Sign-Up Genius contains additional details.
Financial contributions to be put toward items for this Drive are welcome. There is a Samaritans-Giving Tree item available in WeShare. Please consider using RaiseRight to purchase donated gift cards. Feel free to stop by the RaiseRight table around Masses to learn more.
Anyone interested in helping sort and prep donated items on Sunday, December 10th is welcome. Volunteers will be working in the Community Room from 8:30am until we finish (likely around midday). Feel free to come help whenever you can for as long as you’d like. Thanks in advance for your generous support.
On-Going Programs: Cooking and serving hot lunches at Faith Kitchen in Dover several Fridays each month and hot dinners at Homeless Solutions twice a month; also supporting Randolph’s Meals-On-Wheels program with delivery volunteers; and collecting non-perishable items for the food pantry at Hope House and the Homeless Solutions shelter.
Click HERE for a list of non-perishable food items that are always needed by local food banks. Items can be left in the Samaritans basket in the lower lobby; and we will get donated items to a local food pantry.
Click HERE for the item(s) we are collecting currently for the Homeless Solutions shelter. Items can be left in the Samaritans basket in the lower lobby.
Click HERE for the items we are collecting currently for Veterans in need at Lyon's Veterans Hospital. Items can be left in the Samaritans basket in the lower lobby. Deach Rich will get donated items to the hospital.
Samaritans also coordinates our RaiseRight program (formerly known as ShopWithScrip), where you can purchase shopping cards for a wide variety of companies. For every shopping card purchased, Samaritans receives a rebate that is used to help those in need. The percentage for the rebate varies by vendor. The RaiseRight table in the Narthex is available around Masses to purchase cards from inventory, to order cards for pick up the following weekend, or to pick up prior orders. Physical shopping cards usually available from inventory include Shoprite, ACME, WEIS, Stop & Shop, Dunkin, Panera, Starbucks, Amazon and Wawa, among others. Many more vendors are available for order. If there's a particular card you'd like available in inventory, feel free to contact Tammy. In addition to physical gift cards, some vendors offer e-cards, as well as a RELOAD option in some cases. The program includes a couple of different payment options. There is an online portal, as well as a mobile app for those who prefer to do as much as possible electronically. Orders can be shipped directly to you, if you prefer. It is a way to help others while making your regular purchases.
Use this link to learn more: RaiseRight or contact Tammy (see above).
If you are in need of assistance, click HERE for an informational sheet on all of Catholic Charities' different programs helping a wide variety of groups who may be in need in our Diocese.
Volunteers can give as little or as much time as they wish by helping with one of the collection drives or with ongoing activities throughout the year. We invite you to join us in this very worthwhile Ministry!
“In working with the Samaritans, I feel that I receive more than I give. It is always inspiring because not only are you helping others, but you gain so much by working with people who truly match their faith with good works.” - Kim