Photo: Charles Lewis/Buffalo News

I am so glad the Buffalo News has focused on a couple of the places in the neighborhood this week that work to make the lives better for people…without them, a lot of people would be forgotten…God bless them for all they do!

From the Buffalo News…

Twenty-four hours after St. Adalbert’s School closed in 1985, the Response to Love Center was born.

And for the last 25 years, three Felician sisters have been serving the “economically deprived, spiritually poor, emotionally battered, the isolated, wounded and broken” from the Kosciuszko Street building on Buffalo’s East Side.

Sister Mary Catherine Raczkowski is in charge of the youth program and the baby ministry, while Sister Mary Rose Szymanski works in the intake department and is one of the first people seen by new clients when they come for help.

But the women are extending their reach to include “the forgotten people who have not come forward,” said Sister Mary Johnice Rzadkiewicz, the center’s longtime director.

This is the “new direction” of the Catholic Church and the Western New York Holiday Partnership, to respond to all in need, Rzadkiewicz said.  Read full story in the Buffalo News—>

Support the Response to Love Center by clicking here—>

(By Mike Gilhooly – RTLC) Thanks to all that made the 2nd Annual Koledy Night a huge success. Featured was traditional Polish and American Christmas sing-a-long led by the St. John Kanty Choir under the direction of Maestro, Larry Maguda and Special appearance by the Trio of Sisters from the Response to Love Center, Sister Johnice, Sister Catherine and Sister Rose. Dance Music by The New Direction Band. All to Benefit The Response to Love Center. Saturday December 18th at Potts’ Banquet Hall Buffalo NY

To see the photos CLICK HERE

For the Video CLICK HERE

http://www.responsetolovecenter.org/

(Photo by Mile Gilhooly – RTLC)

As I make way through the Christmas season, I am always inspired by stories of the people and organizations that go to great lengths to ensure others experience the joy of it all.

From the Response to Love Center website…

On Monday and Tuesday December 13th and 14th working with the WNY Food Bank, the Response to Love Center offered either a turkey or ham and a bag of all the fixings to prepare a complete meal including dessert and for the first time this year fresh milk from the Upstate Milk Cooperative for almost 200 families.

And…

Wednesday and Thursday December 14th and 15th in cooperation with the WNY Toy Partnership people who registered with children up to 12 years old were given the opportunity to “shop” for age and gender appropriate toys for their children. “The parents know what their child or children want and we give them a place to shop for the perfect gift,” said Kathleen Majchrzak, volunteer coordinator and toy distribution lead. “The toys are displayed on tables and the people are able to look at and choose exactly what they want, in addition they can choose a few stocking stuffers, ” she continued. “Many of our people are working poor that simply don’t have enough left after paying the bills and this is a way for them to provide something special that they otherwise might not be able to provide.”

It is all about L O V E!!!

You can read the full story by clicking here—->

Don’t be shy and click their donation page either!

Christmas Day
The Response to Love Center
130 Kosciuszko St
Buffalo, New York 14212
716-894-7030
www.ResponsetoLoveCenter.org

Doors Open at 10:30am.

Join the RTLC for a complete hot meal, coffee, desserts and seconds until 12:00 noon.

All guests will leave with a gift package.

Contact information:
Mike Gilhooly
716-894-7030 ext.137
admin@responsetolovecenter.org

Saturday December 18^th

At Potts’ Banquet Hall 694 South Ogden St. (Big Lot’s Plaza) Buffalo, New York.

Featuring Traditional Polish and American Christmas Sing-a-Long led by the St. John Kanty Choir under the direction of Maestro, Larry Maguda and Special appearance by the Trio of Sisters from the Response to Love Center, Sister Johnice, Sister Katherine and Sister Rose.

Dance Music by The New Direction Band.

Admission: $10.00

Music 7:00pm to 11:00pm – Koledy Sing-a-long at 7:30pm.

Doors open at 5:30pm – Buffet Dinner $6.95 from 6:00pm – 7:00pm.

Special Raffles – Door Prizes – Fun for all!

For table reservations call 894-7030 or Potts at 826-6580

http:/responsetolovecenter.org

[read story here]

(Deidre Williams – Buffalo News – 11/25/2010) Everyone had a specific job Wednesday as the Response to Love Center on Buffalo’s East side prepared for Thanksgiving dinner.

The maintenance team did the heavy lifting and moved the boxes.

Another group set up the decorations and table settings for hundreds of expected guests.

And the carving party — mostly men — sliced up 49 turkeys.

About 80 volunteers from the neighborhood and beyond helped out Wednesday with the sixth annual “Turkey Carving Day,” set aside to prepare the turkey and many of the trimmings the day before Thanksgiving.

“We get the whole community involved. It’s a community event,” said Sister Mary Johnice Rzadkiewicz, the center’s longtime director.

Read full story—>

To many kids, the holiday season means presents, parties and fun with family and friends. However, the reality is that many kids won’t have a Christmas this year. Coming from broken homes with little or no money, these kids are often lucky to receive a hot meal, let alone a brightly-wrapped gift. As in years past the Response to Love Center will have toys for as many children as possible, however we have a real need for toys for older children ages 8-12 years old. We have been blessed with toys for the younger children and we are grateful we can address that need, but it is our wish to provide age appropriate toys for all the children we serve.

You can help by donating a new unwrapped toy for 8-12 year olds.

To Download a flier to post at your organization or Parish Click Here!

Or make a monetary donation of $10 to our Paypal account HERE and allow us to leverage your donation by purchasing in bulk the toys we need. 

For timely distribution we need the donations by the week of December 5th. Your donation is tax deductible and all of your donation goes directly to the children in need.

http://www.responsetolovecenter.org

Knights of Columbus – Fr. Justin Council 2735 Union Road, Cheektowaga, NY
Saturday, November 20th.
Doors open at 6:00 Wheel spins at 7:00 PM

Prizes include a variety of excellent Turkey, Pork,Chicken, Seafood and Choice Grade Beef Products.

The $5.00 per person Admission includes Beer, Pop,Snacks, a Delicious Hot Roast Beef Sandwich and a chance to win FREE DOOR PRIZES!

A portion of our proceeds will be donated toThe Response to Love Center of BuffaloTable Reservations for 8 or more acceptedon a Pre-Paid, First-Come, First Served Basis

TO MAKE RESERVATIONS,
CALL:894-7464 OR 894-0213

http://responsetolovecenter.org