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By Holly Walter
St. Mary’s of Lancaster New York held it’s annual “Pennies for Pillows” collection in October. Pictured are ladies from the group counting and rolling over $219.00 in coins. Altogether St. Mary’s collected over $1093.00 dollars. The money will be used for people in need of a “Fresh Start” due to fire, domestic violence, separation, foreclosure, and other disasters. The money is used to buy household items like pots and pans, sheets, towels, dishes, health and beauty products, cleaning products, and paper products. The coins were rolled in the Gathering Room of St. Mary’s Elementary School building where the Ladies of Charity have their regular meetings. St. Mary’s Ladies have been conducting the collection for many years and their efforts have helped many people in distress in Buffalo and Western New York.
On November 4th, St. Mary’s Ladies of Charity and Junior Ladies of Charity joined together to roll towels for the homebound bags that are filled for the World Day of the Poor Diocesan project held on November 16th in Lackawanna. Around 80 towels were rolled as well as wash clothes and hand towels. Other sets of towels are donated by other parishes and individuals to fill the over 400 bags needed. Many other items that the homebound need are placed in the bags by volunteers from across the Diocese of Buffalo. Pope Francis has declared Sunday November 19th as World Day of the Poor.
The two groups also prepared 100 Christmas mugs full of candy for the residents of Symphony Manor Assisted Living facility in the Village of Lancaster. The mugs will be given to the residents in early December. The Ladies and Junior Ladies have been working on joint projects for the past few years with much success and enthusiasm.