Fifteen projects are available to choose from:
Lap Robes, Walker and Wheel Chair Bags: Make lap robes and walker and wheel chair bags. These items will be made and delivered to an organization still to be determined. Barbara Skjonsby is leading this project. [This team is closed for sign ups.]
W
illow Waterhole: Right in our neighborhood is our own Greenspace Conservancy - the Willow Waterhole! It is part of the flood control program, designed to hold water during heavy rainfalls and provides 279 acres of usable greenspace! Migrating birds stop here at the Waterhole, and there are monthly events at the Waterhole. They definitely want us to come help here in some way. We are working out the details - could be trail maintenance, could be general cleanup. Karen Sandall Wray is leading this project. For more information about the Willow Waterhole you can visit: http://www.wwgc.org/index.html.Neighborhood Project in Westbury: Louise Chalupa is leading this project again this year and is working with the Westbury Garden Club to determine how Salem can help. This project could include small repairs, cleaning areas, etc.
Braes Interfaith Ministries: Braes Interfaith Ministries (BIM) is a coalition of 12 congregations in our area which provides core services such as assistance with food, clothing and financial matters. Clients receive canned food, fresh meat and vegetables. The vegetables are harvested from the BIM garden! For more information about BIM, you can visit: http://braesinterfaithministries.com/. We would be working BIM’s Pantry and Resale Shop. Bert Gonzalez will be leading the BIM Pantry Team while Jenny Skjonsby leads the Resale Shop Team. [Both teams are closed for sign ups.]
Kolter Elementary School Pond and Gardens Maintenance: At Kolter Elementary School, there is an ecosystem pond and a cultural garden area. It is part of their outdoor learning environment. They have definitely said they will have things for us to do to help them maintain their pond and gardens. Paul Antolik will be leading this project.
The Gathering Place: The Gathering Place is associated with the Menninger Clinic and provides free psycho social rehabilitative services to those with severe and persistent mental illness. The Gathering Place is excited for Salem to participate in some gardening and painting projects. Kim Winkler will be leading this project
Playground Equipment: The ground filler needs to be replaced along with several other repairs. Ed Clark will lead this project.
Window Washing: We will be window washing for several Salem senior families. This service will be provided for one story windows only. Chris Strane is leading this team.
Platou Community Center: This center is located on Chimney Rock and offers all kinds of community services, including after school programs as well as lunch programs. Current projects that we could be working on include yard work as well as some indoor projects. For more details on the community center, you can visit: http://www.houstontx.gov/parks/communitycenters/cc-platou.html. James Cobb leads this team.
Westbury Place and Autumn Leaves: We are looking into what types of projects can be done at these two neighborhood centers. Westbury Place offers seniors housing and healthcare while Autumn Leaves is facility specializing in memory care.
National SmartHealthCare Services: National Smart Healthcare Services, Inc. (NSH_ is a rapidly growing private mental health services company currently supporting members in the area of Greater Houston, Beaumont, Corpus Christ and Austin. NSH provides comprehensive case management and therapy services, as well as intensive outpatient services to individuals suffering from severe and persistent mental illness, and/or substance abuse issues. On Salem Serving Day we will be packaging and delivering toiletries – soap, deodorant, shampoo, combs, etc to NSHs respite and diversion bed facility locted with their intensive outpatient program in North Houston. Randy Ditmore will lead this project.
Montrose Grace Place: Montrose Grace Place is an organization that serves dinner to homeless youth in the Montrose area every Thursday night. It was founded by members of Grace Lutheran Church. Salem is currently involved by providing some meals. This organization is interested in Salem’s help with some house cleaning projects and envelope stuffing for a Fall mailing. Linda Siemers leads this team.
Mosaic Tile Top: Debbie Mikeska will be leading a team to create a mosaic tile top for one of the concrete tables near the play ground. [This team is closed for sign ups.]
Prayer Team: Join Pastor Roschke as he leads this team and pray for those who are serving and outside of our community.