This is the  eighth in a series of articles on Christ's Church outreach initiatives. This issue focuses on the needs of St.  Ann's parish in the Bronx. The parish is the recipient of a $2,400 grant from Christ's Church. Helen Rasmussen is a member of the Christ's Church Outreach committee.

Mission to St.  Ann's

By Helen Rasmussen

Helping a Needy Parish

About ten years ago, Mother Overall, Rector of St.  Ann's Church, spoke at an ECW meeting. She told us about the impoverished members of her parish. I particularly remember hearing about a single-parent family in which one coat was shared, so the family took turns going outside in the winter. Emily Minor encouraged us to reach out to the parish and I contacted Martha Overall about how we might help.

She thought that a 'day in the country' would be just what the children of the parish could use. Many seldom left the Bronx and would enjoy a trip away from home. We decided that a visit to the Rye Nature Center and picnic would be a safe first venture. We chartered a bus and brought the children, their teen and adult chaperones and Mother Martha to visit on a sunny day in June. The picnic with Bill Langham manning the grill was a great success. A naturalist from the nature center led the children through an outside exhibit and took them on hikes in small groups. What surprised us was how some of the children reacted to the walk through the woods. One described it as a 'rain forest', was terrified of ordinary backyard bugs, and clung to members of our group. I had the impression that some children had never before scrambled up onto big rocks. We spotted a rabbit and that was a special treat. The afternoon ended with make-your-own ice cream sundaes and all loaded up back onto the bus to return to the Bronx.

The next day members of the Christ's Church Outreach Committee visited St.  Ann's for the worship service. Saint  Ann's is in the Morisannia section of the South Bronx. It is one of the most historic parishes in the nation. The parish cemetery and building date from the early 19th century and are New York City Landmarks. The children seemed happy to see us, and we enjoyed getting to see their sanctuary and grounds. With what joy they passed the peace! It seemed to be the custom for everyone to shake everyone else's hand or to give a hug. The services attract a sizeable percentage of children, and I remember Mother Martha used the story, 'The Three Little Pigs' to illustrate her sermon. After the service, we met the employees and volunteers who served free lunch for their members or for anyone else who wanted it. People were lined up outside to get in. St.  Ann's also has a food pantry for those who do not have enough to eat.

The next year, I asked Dale Preston, member of the vestry and director of the after-school program, what she thought the children might like 'another day in the country or a Yankees game' She immediately responded in favor of the Yankees. The Outreach Committee decided that this trip would be a joint venture with St.  Ann's families and members of our parish who wanted to buy tickets and join us. Bill Langham ordered the tickets, organized the event and Betsy Ashcraft shopped for delicious food for the tailgate picnic. St.  Ann's is not far from Yankee Stadium. This time the children came with their chaperones on the subway and met us at an underused parking lot for lunch. Lorraine Pirro, her sister, and a friend helped to 'break the ice' with the children. After a delectable feast, we proceeded to the stadium and picked up our free '100th Anniversary Cap Day' Yankee baseball caps. We were far, far away from the players (stretching our outreach dollars) but still managed to get into the action on the game. Parishioner Elizabeth Gambee caught a ball which came our way. For the 7th inning stretch, we treated the St.  Ann's children each to the ice cream selections of their choice. All seemed to be having a good time. I'm not a big baseball fan myself, so I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

What followed? Mother Martha told us that five homeless shelters were in the St.  Ann's vicinity. People could use household items, sheets, and blankets once they obtained apartments. David and I began taking trips on Sundays after church to bring donations from Christ's Church to St.  Ann's. Sometimes, people waiting in line for their Sunday lunches would take the items before we could get them into the church. The blankets were particularly popular because even those in shelters could use them to keep warm. Some had come north without coats and wrapped themselves in the blankets instead.

Dale Preston told us about athletic equipment and games needed for the after-school program. Every day, more than 100 children and their college-age teachers converge on St.  Ann's Church to do homework, obtain supplemental education and eat a hot meal before their families pick them up in the evening. During the summer, the same children meet at Saint  Ann's beginning at 8 a.m. for breakfast and educational enrichment. Betsy Ashcraft collected gently used athletic equipment to replenish that which had become worn out. We used Outreach money to purchase the rest of the items on the list.

What next? In a recent phone call to Mother Martha, I learned that her most pressing concern is for money to keep the church programs going. She needs $375,000 and was in the process of sending her once-yearly request for donations. Saint  Ann's has taken the lead in addressing numerous social and personal problems resulting from poverty and hopelessness in the South Bronx. Mother Martha, who previously worked as an attorney, is adept at helping her parishioners; however, their needs are great. An especially important program of Saint  Ann's is its ministry to children. Their parents are barely managing financially and have little money to donate to the church.

What can you do? Visit the church at 295 St.  Ann's Ave., Bronx, NY 10454 and see for yourself what it has to offer. (We have a carload of donations that you can take along.) You can also read more about St.  Ann's. The lives of the children helped by Saint  Ann's have been described by author, Jonathan Kozol, in two wonderful books entitled Amazing Grace and Ordinary Resurrections. Join the Outreach Committee, and help organize other events. Send money.