Cold Weather Shelter Ministry "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these  least brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40. Teams (see below) Coordinator: Jeannie Johnson Cold Weather Shelter First United Methodist Church of Bunnell  The Sheltering Tree website Web minister: Chau Phan

Picture taken after Appreciation dinner, June 6, 2010: From left to right: Seated: Sue Crosby, Teresa Phan, Milissa Extrom, Anna Aufdenkampe, November Conner Second row: Chau Phan, Bruce Crosby, Josie Garcia, Prosy Johnson, Jackie Morelewicz Back row: Keith Johnson, Jim Morelewicz, Don Gregg, Jean Johnson, Sharon Grussing, Tom Liston

Milissa Extrom, Jeannie Johnson, Anthony Dolce, Rose Calenda,  Ann Dolce of Team 4, serving dinner to guests at Cold weather  shelter kitchen on March 5, 2010. Pictures by Chau Phan.

As you all know, we had a record cold winter this year.  The cold weather shelter (The Sheltering Tree) was open approximately 77 days out of the 90 days this winter.  Over 750 homeless were greeted, provided, prepared and served dinners by Santa Maria Del Mar Volunteers on 25 cold nights.  Each meal was prepared and served with love.  I can't thank the volunteers enough for their hard work and dedication.  It is such a joy to see God's work through the loving eyes of service.  I would also like to thank other parishioners for their donation of Publix gift cards of which your names I do not know but you are greatly appreciated.   You have all made a powerful difference in so many ways and so many lives.  You just never know how the rippling effect can change lives and change the world.  See below the teams and names of the wonderful volunteers from our parish. Please extend to them your appreciation for serving the poor of our community. Jeannie Johnson, coordinator.

• When I volunteer at the Cold Weather Homeless Shelter in Bunnell, I lose myself.
• When I work in harmony in the kitchen of the Homeless Shelter with other church members, providing and preparing meals, I lose myself.
• When I sit and eat with the homeless and forget my petty problems and listen to their struggles of how they have to hide to find a place to sleep because the police are cracking down, I lose myself.
• When I volunteer at the Gift Shop and find just the right St. Christopher medal for a parish member's son that is serving in Iraq, I lose myself.
• When I take my aunt grocery shopping and pray the rosary with my friend's mom who is bed-bound, I lose myself.

Guests line up for a home-cooked meal by Team 4, Santa Maria del Mar, Friday, March 5, 2010.

As we set record low temperatures in early January, the Homeless Shelter in Bunnell was opened every night for nearly two weeks. The shelter was serving approximately 30 people each night, feeding them dinner and breakfast and providing a comfortable nights sleep in a warm, secure building.   Santa Maria del Mar has five teams of 6-7 volunteers each serving at the Homeless Shelter this year.   Recently, a homeless man with a near genius IQ, said to one of the team members; “Seeing the goodness and dedication of the shelter volunteers over the last several days, I am beginning to change. When I am back on my feet, I too will give, not just receive.”   You can assist the Santa Maria del Mar’s shelter teams by donating Publix gift cards used to purchase the food that is served to the homeless.   Please contact Jean Johnson, SMDM Shelter coordinator if you would like to help in this manner. The Sheltering Tree (cold weather shelter) has been added as a charity organization to which SMdM contributes financial assistance. (from the January 24, 2010 Santa Maria del Mar Bulletin)

Feb. 10, 2010: Milissa Extrom attended the Shelter meeting Monday and has so kindly shared her notes so I could pass them on to you. The following are the main points of discussion at last nights meeting.

1. Do we let guests in the kitchen to help? Many of our guests want to show their appreciation by helping out. Although we don`t want to deny them, we decided for liability and food safety reasons not to let guests come in the kitchen. There are still many things that guests can do from the other side of the counter that will be of great help.
2. Food safety was discussed. Maybe we should wear gloves when serving.
3. Carla stressed the importance of ALL volunteers to sign in and out, and DATE the sign in sheet. This is very important so Carla can keep the order of teams in order. Volunteers need to be more diligent in checking off the checklists so everything gets done before volunteers leave.
4. It was decided that not all team members need to stay until 10:00 PM. 2 or 3 need to stay until the overnight team comes in and at least one must be a man.
5. When guests settle in, turn off overhead lights and use the lamps.
6. Guests need more calories than we do to keep warm, so we need to make sure that there is enough food.
7. AND FINALLY FUNDRAISER, MARCH 13TH AT SHEPHERD OF THE COAST SOUP & SONG  6:00 PM. TABLES OF EIGHT: $12.00 PER PERSON

• JustFaith team: Brenda Heath (Captain), Suzanne Lyons, Gladys Lago, Michelle Eaton, Lynne (Margaret) Dicianni
• Team 2: Bruce Crosby (Captain) & Sue Crosby, John & Karen Bulman, Gloria Henrikson, John & Diane Pires, Joyce Shaw
• Team 3: Claudia Gearst (Captain), Anna Aufdenkampe, Elizabeth Conner, Joe Duncan, Josie Garcia, Keith Johnson, Prosy Johnson, Tom Liston, Sharon Walter
• Team 4: Milissa Extrom (Captain) & John Extrom, Rose Calenda, Ann & Anthony Dolce, Larry Doege, Chau & Teresa Phan
• Team 5: Jim and Jackie Morelewicz (Captains); Don Gregg, Eddy Guggino, Joan Hartshorn, Will Hartshorn, Pete Nelson, Rochelle Nelson, Clay Nelson, Kane Nelson, Barbara Royer.