Suffern church puts its faith into action

Weekend marked by giveaway event to help community

 

By JAMES O'ROURKE
SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original Publication: October 15, 2007)

SUFFERN - Joan Cox volunteered her time at Suffern Presbyterian Church's "yard sale giveaway" not only because she wanted to help her community's needy but because she wanted to work towards what she believes is a greater mission.

"Our motto is, 'Don't come to church; be the church,' " she said. "We all love the Suffern community and we all see the changing needs here. We needed to reach out and help people and we got a tremendous response."

Cox, a church elder who has been an active leader and member of the church community since 1968, and nearly 90 other volunteers yesterday participated in numerous events as part of National Faith in Action Day, an event conceived by the global Christian, humanitarian aid organization, World Vision.

"People are looking for ways to make a difference and they don't know how to do it," Deborah Kemp, the church's co-pastor, said of the yard sale. "We've given a very concrete way: 'Give of your things.' "

Other events featured in the day's schedule included children visiting seniors at the Ramapo Manor Nursing Home to sing and present cards, volunteers aiding seniors and disabled citizens at the Esther Gitlo Towers, and volunteers packaging AIDS caregiver kits, which benefit people afflicted with the disease in sub-Saharan Africa.

Though another of the day's projects included helping an elderly church member tear down a dilapidated garage, most were intentionally designed to help those outside the church community.

"Our whole motive behind the day is that God has blessed us so much," Kemp said. "Our desire then, is to give back to others."

The yard sale giveaway was among the most popular of the church's programs during Faith in Action Day and, Kemp said, enabled the church to help between 400 to 500 people in its first few hours.

Many of the items that were given away were clothing, but people donated such varied things as toaster ovens, clock radios, telephones and furniture. Other items given away throughout the course of the day include children's toys, food, baby items and $500 dollar grocery gift cards.

"We asked for the practical things from people, things people really could use," Kemp said. "So many people have needs and we especially asked for sweaters and coats and gloves and hats, and that way, the people in need will have those come winter."

Pedro Sunuk, 50, of Mahwah, N.J., was among the many to benefit from the giveaway. He came to U.S. recently from Guatemala, and said through an interpreter that because of the giveaway, he was able to have a bed, food, and much clothing for his three sons.

"I'm extremely touched by the generosity of the church and feel that God has blessed me and provided something for me and my family," he said. "I have three sons and I appreciate being able to get food and clothing for them."

World Vision, who served as a resource for Suffern Presbyterian Church members as they ran the event, has been organizing Faith in Action events since May.

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