Volunteer Weekend

MQOA is having a Family Volunteer Weekend on Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12, 2022.

What is this?
For these two days, we have arranged opportunities for all of us to volunteer - as a group and with our families and friends - with local non-profits who serve the poor, disabled, elderly, and veterans. On Saturday, when we are done volunteering, we will have Mass at 4:30pm at St. James church. A dinner (for volunteers) at 5:30pm at St. James hall, at which a member from each family is invited to share a reflection about the weekend experience.

The current confirmed volunteering opportunities (others are in the works!) are:
Saturday, November 4* (early AM to early PM)
The Salem Pantry (Saturday market at Espacio)

Friday, November 11
Morning
Plummer House
City of Salem - Parks
Lifebridge Thrift Shop
My Brother’s Table

Afternoon
Lifebridge thrift shop
Citizens Inn
City of Salem – Parks
My Brother’s Table

Saturday, November 12
Morning:
Lifebridge thrift shop
MQOA

Afternoon:
Northeast ARC
My Brother’s Table
Lifebridge thrift shop

Why is MQOA doing this? Why should I?
Pope Francis says the church does three things: evangelize, worship, and serve the poor. This event combines all three!

The event is modeled after a "Family Volunteer Camp" run by the University of Notre Dame, who assited us in developing our event. Its local alumni club (Notre Dame Club of Greater Boston) will be volunteering with us. See these links for more information from UND:
https://my.nd.edu/page/family-volunteer-camp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTT3P_qYhuk

Who can come?
A "family" of any size - even just one! - is welcome.  Importantly, invite a friend! Some locations will have a minimum age requirement (typically around 9 or 10 years old).

What if I can't do physical work or am not available?
We also need people to:
1. Pray for the volunteers and the success of the event.
2. Prepare food for the dinner.
3. Support the event financially.

What is the cost?
There is no cost to the volunteers, other than their commitment of time.

What should I do now?
We need you to volunteer! We would like to have 50-100 volunteers, if not more! Go to our preregistration page to tell us about how you want to participate.

If you are interested in helping with coordinating this event, please contact Peter Gordon at [email protected].

Pre-registration link:
(you will be asked to register to this site, providing an email and password)
https://www.givepulse.com/event/325139-PRE-REGISTRATION-Family-Volunteer-Weekend-Fin-de-Semena-de-Voluntariado-para-las-Familias-2022