Where does ABC Sale money go?

Peggy Pratt, Social Ministry Committee Chair

The arrival of the ABC Sale is almost like the circus coming to town. Lots of people, some familiar faces, some not, lots of activity, and always the unexpected. With so much good will and comraderie, it's hard not to feel the excitement as the date draws near. On Saturday, the bell rings, the doors open, and the next six hours are a blur of frenzied moments as our combined treasures are carted out the door by our wonderful shoppers. We await the final bell, the treasurer's totals, and pack up our circus for another year. It is time to head home for a well-earned evening of rest and relaxation. Indeed a job well done! In recent years this event has raised more than $20,000 for charitable groups.

Most of us are much less familiar with how these monies make their way to organizations in the community. A sub-committee of the Social Ministry Committee, comprised of three people from Social Ministry, three people from the sale, and chair Barbara Tremblay, has the privilege and responsibility to take on that task. To do so, this committee studies each request, contacts the groups making application, and meets several times to review and discuss each request. Only then do they prioritize the requests and assign monetary amounts to them. Their recommendations are presented first to the Social Ministry Committee and then to the vestry for approval. The deadline for this year's requests is March 31.

To receive funds from the sale, charitable groups must apply for funds. Applications are available in the parish office and on the parish Web site. How do they know about the sale? Prior to the sale, the committee publicizes in Crossings that they are accepting applications and how to go about applying. Parishioners are encouraged to pass on this information to organizations they support or with which they have involvement. In the past four years, the committee has received 25-30 requests yearly totaling $40,000 - $60,000 each year. The committee has funded from 15 to 20 of the requests it receives either in full or partially.

The guidelines to receive ABC funds have been compiled by the Social Ministry Committee and approved by the vestry. They are as follows:

• Grants shall benefit outreach-focused organizations and activities that are not directly administered by the parish.
• Grants shall be awarded to organizations rather than to individuals.
• Grants shall be given to support special projects or needs rather than to support operational budgets.
• Grants shall go primarily, but not exclusively, toward local needs.

Other questions the committee considers in making its decisions are:

• Will our support make a difference?
• What kind of difference will it make?
• How urgent is this need?
• Who or what segment of society will benefit or be impacted by our support?
• Is the organization capable of carrying out its objectives and goals?
• Does it have a proven track record?
• Should ABC Sale proceeds be used for this request or should the funds come from another committee of the Chapel of the Cross?

Groups funded in 2005 were:
CORA Food Pantry Chatham County: to purchase food for their clients
Freedom House, a Chapel Hill drug and treatment program: to provide scholarship funding for men and women in their residential treatment program
The Augustine Project, founded by the Church of the Holy Family: to train and support volunteers who provide free tutoring to low-income children and teens struggling with literacy skills
Family Violence Prevention Center of Orange County: for their client assistance fund which provides food, gas, housing and utility deposits and other basic needs
Orange County Literacy Council: to expand its capacity to provide literacy services to adult learners through the funding of AmeriCorps
Orange County Rape Crisis Center: to cover printing, copying, and supplies needed in the recruitment, training, and supervision of volunteers
Inter-Faith Council: to support an AmeriCorps position devoted to increasing service opportunities for Latinos at the IFC and in the community
Blue Ribbon Mentor Advocate: to sponsor one child for one year in their enrichment/scholarship program
Project Compassion: to launch two new community-based care giving support teams
Chatham Habitat for Humanity: to build two handicap ramps on homes under construction in the East Cornwallis neighborhood for two families with special needs.

Other groups receiving ABC Sale funds in 2005 were:
Opportunities for Kids and Youth
Carolina White Ribbon Campaign
Chrysalis Foundation for Mental Health
Student Action with Farmworkers
Best Buddies
Thompson Children's Home (now known as Thompson Child & Family Focus)
Women's Counseling Services.

The ABC Sale is part of our parish's social outreach, part of what we are called to do as witnesses to the presence of the living God. Thanks to all who share their many blessings and help make this ABC miracle happen each year.

Send items for inclusion in future "Cross Roads."
The deadline is the first Thursday of the preceeding month.

© 2006 The Chapel of the Cross