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ONGOING
Lancaster Hometown
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The basic needs of the homeless and poor present themselves to us as we strive to walk in Father Mychal's footsteps. Each project is inspired by a specific need - a cold woman on the street, a man with no shoes, a baby three days in the same diaper, or a man with a can of food with no way to open it. We attempt to meet those basic needs while restoring dignity with love. And each time we do, a new project is born! Through the generosity and love of donors from across the country and around the world, Mychal's Message has collected and distributed over 125,000 new items to the homeless and poor - items such as diapers, toothpaste, socks, underwear, hats, gloves, blankets, winter coats, teddy bears, sneakers, pencils, rosaries, bananas, baby formula, pillows, towels, umbrellas, soap and one can opener! A complete list of items distributed can be found here. These items have been distributed in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Florida, Oklahoma and Iraq. Donors have come from across the US and around the world. Through our projects, we have seen - and we believe - that one person can make a difference.
It was a cold day in February 2002 when we called the Friars of the Holy Name Province. Shannon had just completed her first project. We had 1,500 pairs of socks and were searching for a way to distribute them to the homeless and poor. Because of the Friars of the Holy Name Province, we were invited to distribute those socks on the Breadline of St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City and were given the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of our beloved Father Mychal Judge. Because of the Friars of the Holy Name Province, masses have been said, confessions have been heard, men and women have been married, babies have been baptized, last rites have been given, the dead have been buried, the lonely have been befriended, and the homeless have been fed, all in the true spirit of St. Francis himself. In their brown robes and sandals, the Friars of the Holy Name Province have shown us what it means to love and serve others. Through their holy and humble example, they have taught us and inspired us, encouraged and supported us, loved and guided us. During that first distribution of socks in February 2002, a man asked us for underwear. That was the beginning of Blessed Bloomers. Each year since then, on the anniversary of September 11th, your donations have made it possible for Mychal’s Message to distribute over 33,000 new underwear, undershirts and socks to the homeless and poor. We are pleased and honored to dedicate this year’s annual Blessed Bloomers collection to the Friars of the Holy Name Province in thanksgiving for all they have done for us and for all they continue to do for others. Your tax-deductible donation of $9.11 will provide two homeless men or women with a package of Blessed Bloomers. Each package consists of 1 undershirt, 2 underwear, a pair of socks and a prayer card. You may instead choose to send new men’s, women’s, and children’s underwear and socks (greatest need is for men’s).
Donate Bloomers Mychal's Message
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Ongoing Projects
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Every child needs a teddy bear. Objective: With your help, we will give teddy bears to homeless children living in shelters throughout the year. In this project, we will collect new (store-bought or hand-made) teddy bears. One of our prayer cards containing Fr. Mychal's prayer will be attached to each bear, making it a "prayer bear." It is our hope that the words, "Lord take me where you want me to go" printed on each prayer card will help the bears get to where the Lord (and Fr. Mychal) wants them to go.
Donate Bears!
Mychal's Message
Donate Funds Results to Date:
As of
January 2006, over 700 teddy bears have made their way to our mailbox.
They have been distributed to homeless children living in Lancaster,
Harrisburg, Philadelphia, NYC, and most recently to impoverished AIDS
victims and their children at Francis House in Camden, NJ.
Description: Through a conversation with Fr. Michael Duffy of St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia, PA when we were distributing socks, we learned that one of the greatest needs among homeless families is diapers. Imagine a child having to go sometimes 3 days with no diaper change. For some homeless mothers and fathers who can't afford diapers, this is the reality. Objective: With your help, we plan to collect and deliver disposable diapers to shelters and centers serving homeless mothers, fathers, and children, so that all children will have dry, clean diapers. How you can help:
Donate Bloomers Mychal's Message
Donate Funds Results to date: With the help of St. Leo the Great Church's Armata Bianca (a children's rosary group) and members from Steadfast (a contemporary music group), more than 15,000 diapers were collected in the first few months of this project (2002). Among the first to receive the diaper donations were Mom's House in Lancaster, PA and St. Francis of Assisi Church in Long Beach Island, NJ. Additional diapers were delivered to the Interfaith Shelter in Harrisburg, PA (run by Catholic Charities); Project Rainbow in Philadelphia, PA (run by Sisters of the Holy Redeemer); Fox House (run by Sisters of Charity), South Bronx Pregnancy Centers (supported by Father Benedict Groeschel) in New York City, and the Mother Seton Outreach Program in Emmitsburg, MD. As of January 2006, more than 17,500 diapers have been collected and distributed. During 2005, a generous family donated $25 each month for the purchase of diapers for babies in need. On September 17, 2005, 15 cases of diapers were packaged as “Blessed Bloomers for Babies” and given to St. Francis Inn, Kensington, Philadelphia, PA.
Description:
Mother Theresa once said, “Do small things with great love.” In this
project, we will collect “small things” - personal-size toiletries - and
distribute them to the homeless. Objective: “Do small things with great love.” Collect and distribute “small things” in the form of personal-size toiletries to homeless shelters. We are collecting soap, shampoo conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, powder, deodorant, lotion, or any other toiletries. These “Tiny Treasures” will bring “great love” to the homeless. How You Can Help:
Donate Treasures
Donate Funds
Results to Date:
As of August 2007, more than
13,700 personal size toiletries have been collected and distributed. These “tiny
treasures” as we call them are so important to those who are in need of a
toothbrush, a shaver, or a can of deodorant. We have seen how these
simple, inexpensive items have literally changed the lives of the homeless
and poor. Lancaster Hometown Projects
Description: The work we have done in New York City and Philadelphia has made us aware of the homelessness right in our own community. Objective:
In this project, Mychal’s Message will use the money raised from local
fundraisers (lemonade stands, concession stands, etc.) to bring special
meals to our local shelters. How You Can Help: Since this is a local project, we simply ask for your prayers. If you would like to hold a concession stand in your town, please contact us for details. Results to Date:
May 1, 2007 - Crispus Attucks, Lancaster, PA. Residents at the shelter were treated to sausage and meatball sandwiches, candy bars, cookies and muffins. December 25, 2006 - Crispus Attucks, Lancaster, PA. Residents were treated to muffins, donuts, milk and orange juice on Christmas morning, along with gifts and toys for the children as well as gifts for the adults. December 25, 2005, Crispus Attucks, Lancaster, PA. At 7:00 a.m. on Christmas morning, $200 worth of new children’s clothing and $350 worth of wrapped Christmas toys were delivered along with 40 $5 McDonald’s Gift Certificates and candy bars to shelter residents for Christmas. 4 dozen donuts, 1 dozen muffins and orange juice was also delivered for breakfast on Christmas morning. “Clarise,” a mom of 4 children explained how she lost her apartment the day before due to a fire. She had no money and nowhere to go. It was difficult explaining to her 8 and 10 year old sons that they would be in a shelter for Christmas We told her that Santa didn’t forget those children, and God certainly hadn’t forgotten her. The boys received remote control cars and a game and her 2 small daughters received dolls in strollers. Through the generosity of Mikie Madden’s mother (“Mikie’s Gift,” December 2004), Clarise also received a $100 Walmart gift card. “Without Mychal’s Message,“ a resident told us, “those children would have had nothing to open on Christmas morning.“ Two other children at the shelter received gifts as well. December 14, 2005, Crispus Attucks, Lancaster, PA. A Pizza night was held through the generosity of funds raised by the 8th Grade Class of St. Leo the Great, Lancaster, PA. Approximately 35 men, women and children enjoyed pepperoni and cheese pizzas, soda, homemade cookies and candy canes. And blonde-haired, fair skinned 18 month old “Hailley” was all smiles as she enjoyed her cheese pizza and candy cane that night. August 2, 2005, Crispus Attucks, Lancaster, PA. A McDonald’s night was held where approximately 50 men, women and children all enjoyed Big Macs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, McChicken sandwiches, French fries, salads, and even McDonald’s cookies. Everyone was grateful, and one guest told us, “It is so nice to feel full.” A little girl called “Peaches” was celebrating her 2nd birthday that night, and we were especially grateful to be a small part of it.
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Home | Projects | About Fr. Mychal | About Mychal's Message | Donate Contact us: info@mychalsmessage.org Mychal's
Message logo and all graphic design graciously donated by
M. Scott Oatman
Graphic Design and Illustration.
Website development and maintenance donated by
UtterClarity. Mychal's Message, Inc. is registered as a charitable organization with the Department of State's Bureau of Charitable Organizations under the Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes Act, 10 P.S. Section 16.2 et seq., and is authorized to solicit charitable contributions under the conditions and limitations set forth under the Act. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State, Bureau of Charitable Organizations
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to those suffering from AIDS. He wanted them to have something to
clutch when they
had nothing or no one to hold on to.) Weeks later, 
