|
Date: Monday,
September 1 |
Fecha: Lunes, 1
de Septiembre |
Want
to get involved? Call Lou Volchansky at 703-339-8784.
Good Shepherd will host its 33rd
annual International
Festival on Labor Day, Monday, September 1, from
1:00-6:00 pm. Open to the entire community, activities
include children’s rides, delicious international food,
beverages and games, including a popular climbing wall
structure. The church also organizes a huge White
Elephant sale which is very popular. There is live
entertainment throughout the afternoon. The greatest
opportunity is to form new friendships and visit with
parishioners and community members.
Tickets must be purchased for
raffle items, activities, rides, food and drink. The
Plant Booth, Rose’s Bakery and the White Elephant
purchases are by cash and carry. Early admission to the
White Elephant sale begins at 12:00 pm and costs $5.
After 12:30 pm, general admission to the White Elephant
is free.
“The International Festival is
a great time for our community to come together at the
end of the summer before the school year starts and
enjoy fellowship with each other,” said Reverend Charles
C. McCoart, Jr., pastor of Good Shepherd Catholic
Church. “It’s also nearly a
100 percent volunteer accomplishment
and that’s what makes
it a success. The proceeds from the festival fund a
variety of local and global charitable organizations.
Started 33 years ago by the
Women’s Council of Good Shepherd, the festival’s mission
is to raise funds for non-profit organizations and
people in need. The festival continues as a major
parish event that promotes the vision and mission of the
parish to love and serve parishioners and the
community. Past organizations receiving
festival funds include Good Shepherd Emergency
Assistance, Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services,
Catholic Charities, United Community Ministries,
Progreso Hispano, Inc., and Shepherd’s Gate, among
others.
There are many volunteer
opportunities available, suitable for any age and
ability. For example, if you…
-
Want to stay inside, and like great
deals: The White Elephant committee needs
people to help sort and price, as well as people to
set-up, be floor monitors, cashiers, and clean-up
afterwards.
-
Like food: Sign up to help prepare
or serve at one of five food booths (Hispanic,
Asian, Italian, German, USA)
-
Want a sweet job: Volunteer to
contribute baked goods to Rose’s Bakery to
volunteer to help sell
-
Like to make children laugh:
Volunteer to help with Children’s Games
-
Want to “go-green”: Help sell
plants at the Plant Booth
-
Want to bend an electrician’s ear:
Volunteer to help on the Electrical Committee
-
Like to tell people where to go:
Help with the Traffic Committee and direct
cars.
-
Feel lucky: Help sell Raffle
tickets
-
Like things neat and orderly: Help
the Grounds Committee keep GSCC clean
-
Believe logistics is the key to
success: Volunteer to help with Food
Coordination
These are just some, not all, of the many activities
which await you when you decide to get involved! We
need you!!
Good Shepherd Catholic Church
is located at 8710 Mount Vernon Highway, Alexandria, VA,
22309. Ample parking is available at Mount Vernon High
School, with shuttle service to Good Shepherd from
12:30-6:30 pm the day of the event. The festival grounds
are handicap accessible and there will be a first aid
tent on the premises. For additional information, call
(703) 780-4055.
