THELEAVEN.COM | VOL. 36, NO. 1 | JULY 4, 2014
PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD
Built in 1880, this Lawrence home was renovated by St. John the Evangelist parishioners and donated as an emergency assistance center to Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. Standing in front (from left) are Ursuline Sister Marcella Schrant, Father Mike Scully, OFM Cap., Nickie Daneke, Eric Fitzmorris and Fran Pack.
IT TAKES A PARISH
Turning a house into a home as partners in charity By Jill Ragar Esfeld jill@theleaven.com
L
awrence — Early last century, the house across the street from St. John the Evangelist Church here was a Victorian beauty.
But for years now, it had functioned as a fraternity party house for students at the University of Kansas. By the time it went into foreclosure in 2011, the three-story
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structure was a disaster spreading from one room to the next. Many people in town thought St. John the Evangelist Parish was crazy when it purchased the property. But parishioners banded together and worked hard to bring the place back to a semblance of its former beauty. They cleaned up the yard, refinished floors, repaired woodwork, plastered and painted walls — even painted a mural in the foyer. And when they were done, they did something really crazy. They gave it away.
HOW CAN YOU HELP? Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas Emergency Services is located at 1247 Kentucky in Lawrence. It serves all of Douglas County. As it expands services in the new center, volunteers are needed to: • Help answer the phone, screen calls and greet visitors • Help deliver senior commodities boxes • Set up, organize and operate a sizable food pantry
• Be part of the Friendly Visitors program — helping the elderly in Douglas County with a phone call or a visit • Volunteer at the Rummage House, which provides clothing to the needy and also functions as a thrift store that funds programs • Donate nonperishable food, personal care, and cleaning items to the food pantry. (During business hours, items can be dropped off at the center. On weekends, items can be left on the back porch of the parish office at 1229 Vermont.)
>> See “CIRCLE” on page 7
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