Kay and Cheryl from the local Cornell Cooperative Extension were out on Central Avenue on Saturday morning with Care-A-Van Ministries. They brought along delicious snack treats for all as well as information regarding the services their office has to offer. Kay and Cheryl were a big blessing to many. The kids truly enjoyed the snacks.

Kay and Cheryl had the opportunity to be able to share with many as 35 families with 81 family members visited the Care-A-Van bus for groceries and prayer.

A special thanks to Cornell Coopertive extension for reaching out to the community on this rainy chilly morning.

Pictured are Mike Nelson of Utah,  Sonny Moscato of Buffalo, Dan Walczak of Tonawanda and Michale Quinlan of Buffao, all members of the team

                        Jordan and Linda joining in on the night

On Thursday evenings when the Care-A-Van bus is out in the neighborhoods knocking on doors to invite folks out for dinner and prayer, you never know who might be behind the doors.

Tonight when the ministry was at the Parksite apartments on North Spruce Street , behind  one door was 4 members of the GCC Men's Lacrosse Team. The guys came out to the bus and had some  delicioius famous Care-A-Van chili. We were blessed to meet them and spend time with them. It has been interesting when meeting the students to find out where they come from. Mike Nelson, one of the Lacrosse team members is from Utah!  Several other families came out to enjoy dinner, receive clothing groceries and prayer. It was an awesome night out and we were blessed to be a part of their kickoff for their upcoming season. If you are a Lacrosse fan you can find their schedule at this link :  http://www.genesee.edu/athletics/teams/mlax-201002/dspSchedule

Good luck guys and may the Lord bless you all!

While being at the playoff game of the Elba Lady Lancers Friday night, I was able to capture the final minutes on video. What a game, and the student fans were filled with spirit! Enjoy!

 

It has been years since I have attended a high school girls basketball team. I truly enjoyed traveling to Letchworth this evening to watch the  Elba Lady Lancers in the championship game against Jasper Troopsburg. The Lady Lancers were crowned the Double D Sectional Champions!  The final score was 47-37.  Their next playoff game will be Monday night at Gates/Chile. Tip off is at 6:00 PM.

I could not get over the fans! The gym was packed with supporters of the Lady Lancers. These students truly have school spirit!  You can check out all the pictures at the Facebook Page of Care-A-Van Ministries. The students of Elba are awesome supporters of Care-A-Van. They have held a jeans drive and food drives.

Three of Elba's team were named All Stars- Meg Stucko, Kenize Bezon, and Cassy Engle. The community of Elba sure can be proud of this awesome young talented team! Great game girls!  Coach Nowak was named Coach of the Year too! Good Luck Monday!

Last Saturday, the Salvation Army here in Batavia held a food giveway. Pictured above is Captain Bob of Salvation Army taking a quick break with Paul Ohlson of Care-A-Van Ministries.  There was approximately over 450 families with over 1,500 family members that benefited from the food that was donated by Food Link. Food was also distributed to other local agencies and organizations to have on hand to help people.

These young gentlemen came out to volunteer for the day. Cornell Cooperative Extension  was on hand to offer their services as well as the Fidelis Insurance company who helped people without insurance fill out applicatons to see if they could be eligible for benefits.

It was a great day to see all the different agencies coming together to help others.

Captain Bob and his wife Patty are doing an awesome job of serving at the local office.

This young man Jesse Schrider, found a way to stay warm on this Winter storm warning here in Batavia. He came out and volunteered with Care-A-Van Ministries . Part of the team was out tonight helping a widow bring wood into her home and was kept busy stacking the pile outside.  The other part of team , PJ and Bridget headed over to Columbia Avenue wtih Cooperative Extension on board of the bus with hot soup for all

Meet Abigail, a young girl who was found sharing the love of Valentines day with residents of Washington Towers. Her and her grandma Linda were going door to door and sharing Valentines with the residents on this chilly Saturday morning.

A local team of volunteers arrived back home safely Sunday evening after spending a week-end in NY city taking part in the Annual Don't Walk by Campaign held by Rescue Alliance.  This is a mission to rescue the homeless.

Pictured above is Jon Andre', Pastor Mark Perkins, Elder Ron DeMena, Dave Holnbec k, Clint Schrider, Paul and Bridget Ohlson along with their team leaders Dave and Patty Rower from Street Light Missison of Elizabeth New Jersey.

250 volunteers particpated in training Saturday afternoon at the Trinity Baptist church.

Zach Ashely and his new buddy Ian

On Thursday evening, the GCC Christian Students United group teamed up with Care-A-Van Ministries to welcome the students back for the second semester.

Pictured above is Janet Richardson on right, sharing an invitation to Lataya Vialva to come and join in on the fun with Christian Students United on Tuesday afternoons from 12:30 to 1:30. The group meets and has pizza and fellowship. Currently, the group has about 30 students attending.  Elder Ron of Care-A-Van was on hand to offer prayer to those students that requested it.

Every month, Care-A-Van Ministries knocks on all 95 dorm rooms to give out a treat and let the students know that if they ever need anything, the ministry is only a phone call away. We offer prayer to the students as well as  a listing of local churches Rides to church are offered as well.  Last night, we had alot of students asking for prayer to get over the flu bug and for wisdom in their studies this semester.

Dana Thomas, the Residents Assistant was on hand to guide the students and Care-Van team through the dorms.

 

Beginning today, Monday January 18th, you will be seeing more and more of that big red bus around town. Four local pastors have teamed up with Care-A-Van to travel around the city on Monday and Tuesday mornings.  .

The above sign is the sign that will be outside the bus greeting folks.  There is  no set schedule for where the bus will be on the morning outings. Paul along with the team will just allow the spirit to move them as to where they should go for the day.

Meet Anne Lithiluxa, your local reporter for the television station  YNN ( Your News Now) of Rochester.

Anne is the new local reporter for YNN. Anne is seen above interviewing Paul and Bridget Ohlson, Founders of Care-A-Van Ministries after the morning out in the cold. Anne heard about Care-A-Van Ministries and came out this morning to do a live special on the great things that  Care-A-Van, the Lord and the folks here in Batavia are doing.  She traveled along with the bus over to Central Avenue where 30 famlies received groceries.

Anne's special story on Care-A-Van will be shown live on YNN News this evening, Saturday, January 9th. Time Warner Cable Subcribers can view the story on YNN. The stations will vary depending on your geographical area.  My understanding is that the story will be shown for 24 hours on YNN.

Please give Anne a warm hearty welcome to the city.

A special thanks to  Anne  and YNN for coming out this morning and showing how the people in Batavia go forth to make a difference to help others in need.

The 24 Hour Hotline for YNN is 1-888-278-9889

The Old Care-A-Van

Next came the Rescue van, then the bus

 

Happy New Year to all! It is time to get back in the writing business for the Lord. I had a great Christmas holiday, as I hope all of you did.

 

It is a new year, a new year for new beginnings. 2009 was an awesome year for Care-A-Van Ministries! Do you know that all of you helped feed groceries to 1,648 families with a total of family members of... are you ready……. drum roll please…………………

4,327 people! Now, I don’t know about you but that blows my socks off!

 

You are all so awesome! In this past year, we also were blessed to have the Care-A-Van band formed.  It is hard to believe that in 2010, Care-A-Van will be celebrating its 10^th year anniversary of serving the Lord!

 

This past Saturday, we were at Batavia Gardens. It was just like the olden days, as the bus would not start, so the Rescue van had to be used for grocery distribution.

I was running a bit late and well, I did not quite dress the for occasion thinking we would have the bus... wrong... it was a bit windy and chilly. I think like the temperature was 10 degrees out! It just blows my mind, to think for years that Paul and Bridget and the volunteers stood out in the cold winters with the van! The Lord fed 21 families with 33 family members on that brisk morning.

 

There were many miracles and blessings in 2009. We hope you have enjoyed reading about them through the newsletter. Oh yes, that was another start for the ministry was the blessing of the newsletter and that we are starting to get a little more technically blessed. We have joined face book as well. If you have not become a fan yet please do so at http://www.facebook.com/business/dashboard/#/pages/Care-A-Van-Ministries/127777628998?ref=mf

The Lord has 96 fans so far! We share a lot of photos and stories there as well.

 

We continue to pray and seek the Lord as to what he shall have the ministry do in 2010.  Our mission from day one has been to take the good news of the gospel to the streets. 

 

We are very thankful for all of you, the churches, pastors, families, friends and volunteers that have helped do the Lord’s work in seeking the lost and serving those in need.

  

Batavia is a big city. Now mind you, remember I have shared that I grew up in rural Pennsylvania, amongst the mountains. There are many people here that do not know who the Lord is. There are many that are still struggling to do life on their own and continuing to live in the muck and mire of life.

 

I will leave you with this thought. Have you thought about and prayed about how the Lord may want to use you in this New Year? Why not have 2010 be the year that you step out and come to the streets with Care-A-Van Ministries. There is place here waiting for you, no matter what talent or special gift God has blessed you with. I  have found when we step out in faith, take the focus off of ourselves, God will open doors and blessings for us that one could never imagine!

 

Ok, with being the PR director, I think it will be ok for me to write this thought.

May the Lord bless Paul and Bridget Ohlson during this coming year. May the Lord continue to bless Care-A-Van Ministries in 2010. May the Lord expand and show his 2010 vision to all. 

 

May we all celebrate in the 10^th year anniversary of the ministry. (The official month is May... but hey, I don’t know about you, but I like to get an early start on celebrations! hmm does that include cake each month. I sure hope not! Instead of the Care-A-Van, a few of us call it the Calorie van! There is always good treats and snacks to be found on the bus. But most importantly, our Lord and Savior Jesus is there waiting for each and every soul.

 

God Bless and Keep the Light On!

 

Care-A-Van Ministries will be at State Street this Saturday morning from 10:30 AM until Noon for grocery distribution and prayers.

Care-A-Van  Ministries was blessed to have some wonderful people come out and do Christmas Caroling last night while  we had our last night on the streets for this Christmas season.

These faces may look pretty familiar to some of you.

Thank you to these folks and all of you who partnered with  Care-A-Van  in any way during this Christmas season to help bless others.  Merry Christmas to all!

The group singing on State Street

Pastor Charlie Pero and wife Linda

Mike and Shirley Wagner of the Care-A-Van band joined us

Shirley Gawlik and her beautiful daughter Janelle donated their time to bring Christmas joy

Care-A-Van had gotten a call from Pastor Charlie Piscitello yesterday of a family that could really use some Christmas cheer and blessings from our Lord.  The husband had a stroke about a year ago and they could really use a blessing.

When we arrived, the husband was in the kitchen in his wheelchair. As we were visiting with them, there was a knock on the door. Dave Kendall and his son Kyle were standing there. He said his son wanted to know if he could see the bus. I pulled on my boots and headed out with them.

As little Kyle was touring the bus, he spotted the nativity scene. He said "there is baby Jesus"!  Kyle and his dad enjoyed the homemade treats and hot chocolate. Before leaving, the father told Kyle that he could go ahead and share his gift. Kyle handed me a gift that he wanted to give to another little boy that did not have anything.  With tears swellling in my eyes, I graciously accepted the gift on behalf of God.

How awesome it was to see that this little guy wanted to be a blessing to another little boy.  Pastor Charlie and his wife Judy came onto the bus after Christmas gifts and Christmas dinner were given to the other family. As Pastor Charlie sat there, his voice began to quiver and tears were in his eyes. He said " I just got the best Christmas gift,, we all got to bless others and share the love of Jesus with them."

It was great meeting Dave and Kyle. Thank  you Kyle for helping Care-A-Van and the Lord be a  blessing to others!

Do you remember when you were a teen and you and all your friends would pile up in the car and head out for a joy ride? The Care-A-VAn bus was loaded up with gifts and volunteers for a joy ride both evenings this past week-end.

Folks lined up waiting to get groceries from Care-A-Van

Larry Hicks, Volunteer with Care-A-Van helps a woman pack up her groceries on sled

It was a chilly day on Central Avenue today for our grocery distribution. 33 families with 77 family members received groceries. There were many prayer requests and people that are hurting in many ways.

As we prepare to go forth this holiday season, we invite you to join in on the fun of blessing others. December 19th through December 22nd the bus will be going out each evening beginning at 6:00 PM to take Christmas gifts and a Turkey and all the trimmings for Christmas dinner  to those less fortunate.

We are in need of folks that like to Christmas Carol.  If you have a heart to sing and would like to cruise around with Care-A-Van, on one of those evenings please call 343-0328 to let us know which evening you could particpate. If you get the answering machine, leave your name and number and we will return your call.

Maybe you don't like to sing, but want to lend a helping hand in another way. There is always a need for wrapping paper as we will be holding our annual wrapping party at Assembly of God on Wednesday, December 16th.  Call the above number and we will let you know where to deliver the wrapping paper.

We want to take this time to thank all of your for your encouragement, prayers and suppport to help make a dfifference.

God Bless and as we say at Care-A-Van

Keep the Light On!

 

 

 

Care-A-Van Ministries will be on Central Avenue this Saturday morning for grocery and clothing distribution from 10:30-Noon. If you or anyone you know is in need of food, please stop by. God Bless and Keep the Light On!

These cars were lined up on Walnut Street this evening with their 4 ways on waiting to be able to get into their driveways.  Care-A-Van loaded the bus up with hot chocolate, chili and snow shovels and hit the streets this evening to give a lending hand.

The bus drove around the city looking for folks in need. We stopped and helped shovel people out and helped push cars that were stuck. Warm treats were offered to all.