Upcoming CEI Events
Who, What, Where, When, How and Why
The Harvest Festival
This Saturday, from 2pm-5pm we will gather in our parking lot (inside if the weather is more winter-like) to celebrate the glorious harvest from our Community Garden. Even more, we will set out the produce for any and all to take as we seek to share our bounty with the entire community.
We will recognize all who contributed to the garden’s productivity, and present (again) the first place award the childrens’ garden received from the Master Gardeners’ of DELCO. There will be lots to eat, take home, activities for young and old, and pie and chili competitions!
Click here for more information.
Thanksgiving Meal Distribution
On Sunday, November 19 we will be distributing 150 Thanksgiving Day meals, including turkeys and all the fixins’. Here is a list of the food items we are gathering, and you can bring them anytime after October 30. Given the large increase in the number of people coming to the Open Pantry, we are all the more in need to items for this special holiday event.
Holiday Gift Card Distribution
Our annual Holiday Bazaar will be on Thursday, December 21 from 10:00am to 6:00pm. At the Bazaar we will distribute gift cards to residents of Chester hoping to add a little extra treat during the holiday season. You can send or deliver your cards to the CEI office anytime between November 6 and December 18.
The cards will be distributed in equal proportion to the size of each family, and recipients must show evidence of Chester residency. Anyone, including children who are a part of a family, requesting a gift card must be present to receive a card.
The most helpful gift cards are from large “box” stores that offer all manner of products. Cards of any value are gratefully received, but, please, break down any contributions over $100 into separate cards.
As in previous years, there will also be a treasure trove of seasonal and household items available for anyone who comes. We will offer seasonal music and munchies, and rejoice together in the holiday spirit.
Additional Seasonal Notes
Out of School Time
The After School Program is getting closer each day to reaching its capacity. There are nine spots left in the on-site program and 10-12 spots left for high school students who receive tutoring virtually. The Program runs each school day from 2:45pm – 6:00pm, and includes a full meal, homework help, online curriculum that is created for each individual student, recreation inside and out, special clubs, work in the award-winning community garden, and field trips!
Here is a registration form for the After School Program.
Volunteer Celebration
On Saturday, December 9 we will gather for our annual celebration of our volunteers and staff. The CEI doors will swing wide with welcome at 5:00pm, and then experience a catered dinner. The ensuing festivities will include volunteer recognition for levels of service, and the presentation of the annual Spirit of Chester Eastside Award.
Coming Soon…The Annual Appeal
In just a couple of weeks, the first one in November, the CEI annual appeal will hit mailboxes and inboxes of all who have supported us in the past. As much as ever before, this year’s appeal will be vital if we are going to finish our year (fiscal and calendar) strongly. We have come so far in our programming and staffing in the last year. Now our challenge is to maintain the trajectory of ever-increasing and expanding services and programs. There is no doubt that with the continued support of the CEI faithful, we will achieve all that we aspire to…and more.
So, There You Have It:
The Who, What, Where, When, and How
What About The Why?
At Chester Eastside we are committed to providing services that offer relief from deprivation that is born of inequity. We are dedicated to providing programs designed to close gaps that arise from the disparities that continue to infect and invade our world. In all that precedes this part of the message, the who, what, where, when, and how are clear. What about why?
Why expend all of the time and energy it takes to gather the resources needed to fulfill our mission? Why spend countless hours planning programs and services so they would be effective and efficient in meeting the needs of our neighbors? And why do we offer our resources, including our very selves, in the service of others?
The CEI community is bound by conviction, commitment, and courage. What binds this community is the conviction that no one need live in want; the commitment to offer ourselves in pursuit of “the beloved community” in which all are cherished; and the courage to step forward and stand in solidarity with ones who are in need.
May all that we offer while wearing our CEI T-shirts deliver comfort, provide relief, plant seeds of hope, and lead us all toward a community rooted in…
Peace,
Andy