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Filling and Fulfilling Work at Churches of Upperville
Filling and Fulfilling Work at Churches of Upperville
By Laura Longley
We’ve all heard the phrase “It takes a village” so often that it’s pretty much lost its meaning. Not so in Upperville, where more than 25 years ago its four churches came together to make their Thanksgiving and Christmas outreach efforts more meaningful.
This year, “Churches of Upperville” will be serving 26 families and a total of 98 people, some multi-generational. The volunteer-run collaboration inspired by the Rev. Phil Lewis of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church is a smoothly running operation that combines school-based enrollment, two fundraising events, four mega-shopping trips, packing and distribution of boxes, and a lot of happy people, volunteers and recipients both.
The four churches are Mt. Pisgah and United Methodist Church, both on Delaplane Grade Road just south of Route 50, and Trinity Episcopal Church and Upperville Baptist Church, both on Route 50 in the center of the village.
In addition to members of their congregations, community volunteers, and other organizations, such as two local garden clubs, the planning and hands-on management is guided by the church leaders, long-time and now retired program directors Patty and Peter Nicholl, their newly named successors, Cyndi and Duane Ellis, owners of Common Grounds in Middleburg, Michele and Mike Husfelt of Upperville Baptist Church, and Trinity’s administrative assistant, Betsy Crenshaw.
The annual process of enrollment begins early each year through upper Fauquier County’s public schools. Applications come primarily from families of students who receive nutrition support through federal Title I funding.
The volunteers’ fundraising campaign begins in August with a crab fest at Slater Run Vineyards, an event that goes a long way to making the fall shopping expeditions possible.
An additional fundraising opportunity is the day before Thanksgiving when the congregations come together for a service at the host church where the basket is passed for contributions. Afterward, Trinity hosts a reception for all the participants. This year the service is set for 7 p.m. on Nov. 27 at Upperville Baptist Church.
Cyndi Ellis described the shopping expeditions and distribution process. “Trinity allows us to use their van, so Betsy Crenshaw drives the van, and then we literally go shopping—twice before Thanksgiving, twice before Christmas,” she said. “So, we’ll buy frozen turkeys and chicken, hundreds of cans of this and that, mac ‘n’ cheese, peanut butter, pies, potatoes, carrots, onions, even candy. The amount of food is amazing—we probably should make a video of it.
“After we shop, we head back to Upperville Baptist Church where we unload everything. That’s where everything is stored, and that’s where the families will come and pick up that Saturday before the holiday.
“The volunteers will arrive at 7:30 a.m. at Upperville Baptist, and we’ll start to prepare the boxes that are going to go to these families. The families start coming about 8:15 a.m., so that should give you an idea of how fast we pack boxes. We have so many people that volunteer to help, it’s great. Where we really need help are strong young folks, because these boxes are heavy.”
To join “Churches of Upperville” contact cyndi.ellis@verizon.net.
