Lend a ‘hand’ and some ‘hope’ via Catholic Charities program
The Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting at the new Catholic Charities office at 104. E. Blackhawk Ave. Present for the ceremony were (from left) Paul Ginkel, Tom Nelson, Father James Weighner, Phyllis Leith, Geri Russell, Catholic Charities Executive Director Roberto Partarrieu, Sandy Marx, Jamie Stram, Lou Davis and Bob Moses. Missing is Randi Harris of Catholic Charities. (Submitted photo)
By Correne Martin
Now that Catholic Charities has relocated to a more accessible location in downtown Prairie du Chien, the number of potential clients stepping inside the office has grown significantly. After 16 years in the community, many residents are just now realizing the organization exists locally.
Catholic Charities officially moved Aug. 25 to Blackhawk Avenue. The office was previously located inside the Catholic church rectory on Perry Street.
“We’re more visible now. That is the most exciting part about moving to downtown,” said Sandy Marx, financial wellness advocate for Catholic Charities in Prairie du Chien. “If people are curious, we invite them to stop in and see what we’re all about. We still have all the same services.”
Open Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the office can assist people in situations of domestic abuse, disaster, homelessness and representative payee management. Also, under the St. Lawrence Community Services arm of the organization, the newest program, Hands of Hope took on the services offered by the former Faith In Action group nearly one year ago.
Hands of Hope’s goal is to bring together volunteers of all ages, from area congregations, organizations and communities, to assist adults, particularly seniors, with their unmet needs regardless of income, religious beliefs or ethnic background. This community support helps to improve their quality of life.
“We’re getting a lot of new clients and more requests for service (through Hands of Hope), which is putting a lot of pressure on our current volunteers,” explained Marx, who is co-facilitator of Hands of Hope.
“Most of our requests are for transportation, to and from medical appointments in La Crosse, Decorah and sometimes Madison, and also around the area to go grocery shopping and run other errands. But we’re also getting requests for companionship: somebody to play games with or just spend time with to break up their day.”
Other tasks volunteers might provide for those in need are light housekeeping, gardening, raking leaves, snow shoveling, light maintenance, help with paperwork, occasional meal preparation, shopping assistance, accompaniment to social gatherings or even telephone reassurance.
“We don’t know what the Christmas season is going to bring. There will probably be more people who need to go shopping,” Marx said. “Generally, we call our volunteers to fill whatever task we need them to do.
If they can’t we just move down the list and make calls until we get someone who can. Anybody who is willing to give a few moments of their time and volunteer for Hands of Hope would be greatly appreciated.”
Marx noted that volunteers are paid with gas cards for using their vehicles to transport citizens out of town for appointments. Otherwise, their time is what they give. She said volunteers should be outgoing and compassionate. They can be any age but are usually over 18.
“This is not a highly-funded program. We have our wreath sales the weekend before Thanksgiving at the (Hoffman Hall) craft fair, which did well last year, and hopefully, we can exceed that this year,” she added. “We also have the local radio auction in the spring but those are our two major fundraisers.”
Anyone interested in becoming a Hands of Hope volunteer is asked to call 326-1616, (888) 212-HELP (4357), or email info@cclse.org. You may also stop at the newly remodeled office at 104 E. Blackhawk Ave. and ask for Marx or Geri Russell.
