Community Service

In times of need, OCUUC and its members give tangible support to the needs of others. We divide half of the loose plate collected on Sundays to many different non-profits and communities in need. These organizations do great work in Orange County and beyond and we are proud to partner with them.

February Recipient of Church Funds: Project Linus

As Charles Schulz’ Linus character from “PEANUTS” comic strip was comforted by his blanket, Project Linus strives to do the same and more for children who seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. The blankets are supplied by thousands of “blanketeers” (volunteers) in some 400 chapters across the United States and then distributed to children to provide love, a sense of warmth and comfort. More than 4 million blankets have been supplied.

There are 40 chapters in the state of California; with one here in Costa Mesa. Project Linus welcomes home-made blankets are of all styles, including quilts, tied comforters, fleece, crocheted or knitted afghans and receiving blankets in child-friendly colors. Monetary donations help meet the normal expenses of fabric, batting, yarn, and various supplies. For additional information, “UU Blanketeer” Laurie Mutalipassi can help you or contact the Costa Mesa Project Linus Chapter Coordinator Patty Krause (cdmbeachaol dot com) at (949) 701-0074. If you’re crafty and would like to donate completed items, the current (February 2012) needs are smaller size blankets (about 36″ x 36″) for either boys or girls.

Our church has the opportunity to be a part of many lives in many ways. The Community Service Committee looks to you to identify efforts that need our assistance. For help with nominating a worthy cause contact, Naomi Blackwood, Kathleen McFarlin or Maurice Giss.

Recently, the Community Service Committee developed a Volunteer Survey to see where members of OCUUC are volunteering their talents and which kinds of volunteer opportunities might be available to those who would like to become volunteers. Forms are at the church online or mmgisscomline dot com (mmgisscomline dot com) . For assistance in nominating a monthly recipient for funds, see Naomi Blackwood, Kathleen McFarlin or Maurice Giss.

Volunteer Guide

Over the past five years, some 60 deserving non-profit organizations have been identified and designated the recipients of one-half of the Sunday collections. We have been able to benefit the lives of many worthwhile and deserving causes. Recently, it was pointed-out that a number of the members of our congregation do more than just give money. They take a “hands-on” approach and work to help programs in a variety of ways.

From time to time, visitors and members at OCUUC ask about getting involved with community outreach and volunteering to be of service to others. To this end, we would like to be able to provide a listing of possible service opportunities and to be able to refer those interested to members of our congregation who are already acting in “hands-on” efforts helping to meet real community needs. Please let us know what you are doing, where you are volunteering… with young people/old people, health and nutrition, the homeless, education, addiction, the arts, the environment, political action or any activity where others may join you so they might benefit from the great rewards that are derived from being of service.

Your Community Service Committee continues to seek to identify non-profit groups who can use our financial assistance and now we would like to be able to help by providing a guide for volunteerism. Please let us know about programs or projects you are a part of and how others may make contact and volunteer their time and energies. Respond as soon as possible with your name, a little about the program and how contact may be made. We thank you for helping us start to develop a “Volunteer Guide”. Your responses may be given to a member of the Community Service Committee, Naomi Blackwood, Kathleen McFarlin, Maurice Giss, the Church office or to mmgisscomlinecom.

A Volunteer Guide Survey may be downloaded by clicking this link.

Volunteer Guide Survey

A number of the members of our congregation are actively involved serving as volunteers. They take a “hands-on” approach to meet the needs of the broader community. They work with young people/old people, health and nutrition, the homeless, the arts, the environment, education, political action and more. Visitors and members at OCUUC ask about getting involved with community outreach and volunteering to be of service to others. To this end, we would like to be able to provide a listing of existing and possible service opportunities. Please let us know what you are doing or what types of service opportunities you would be interested in becoming involved.

I am a volunteering with: __________________________________

Brief description of organization and your service along with contact information:

I would be interested in volunteering to be of service in the following programmatic areas:

Name:____________________________ E-mail:_____________________ Telephone:____________________

**Please leave completed surveys at the church office; place it in the “Shining Star” box in the Social Hall or; submit to mmgisscomlinecom.

Suggest an Organization

The Community Service Committee looks to you to identify those non-profit causes that can benefit from our involvement. To recommend a potential recipient see Naomi Blackwood, Kathleen McFarlin or Maurice Giss.