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Support SACSON today — Fundraising Store!
This web store is operated by Mambo Tuna Promotionals LLC to raise funds for the Seminole Action Coalition Serving Our Needy (SACSON). A major portion of the profits from each sale will go to SACSON to assist with their charitable works in the Central Florida region.
http://sacson.mtpus.com
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“Seminole Action Coalition Serving Our Needy, S.A.C.S.O.N., is a faith-supported community organization that educates the public and provides programs and services to those in need in Seminole County.”
SACSON is a Registered 501c3
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 95
Sanford, FL 32772
Phone: 407.790.0998
E-mail: sacson1@yahoo.com
Web: sacson.wordpress.com
What we do:
* SACSON sponsors IDignity in the Sanford area (providing IDs, including driver’s licenses, birth certificates, ID cards and Social Security cards to those who are without)
* SACSON educates the community about the growing challenge of homelessness through our “Dessert and Coffee” forums and Speakers Bureau
* SACSON has taken the lead in implementing a Cold Night Shelter plan for the homeless in Seminole County.
* SACSON sponsors Birthdays & Blessings, a program that provides gifts to homeless and needy children
* SACSON promotes and encourages participation in Wednesday Wash Days (volunteers provide coins and laundry soap so the homeless are able to wash their clothes)
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Like “S.A.C.S.O.N.” on facebook today!
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Next SACSON Membership Meetings- Tuesday, May 28 at 630 pm
The next SACSON meeting will take place at the Salvation Army (700 W 24th St Sanford, FL 32771)
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Sanford City Commission Elections: Hear candidates Patty Mahany, the incumbent commissioner, and her challenger, Rick Russi, address an audience gathered at a candidate forum hosted by SACSON –Seminole Action Coalition Serving Our Needy. One of the candidates will be elected on November 6 to serve a 4-year term representing district 4 of the city’s 5 member governing commission. They address the search for a new chief of police for the city, transparency in city government, property values and property taxes, panhandling and public feeding of the homeless on downtown streets, relationships between the commission and the black community, revitalization of the downtown area, ethics and integrity, vacant buildings in the city, the role of the communities of Goldsboro and Georgetown, the city budget, pension plan for the city’s fire and police staff, and their vision for the city and the role each intend to take on the commission if elected by voters in the city-wide race. (length – 48:09)
http://cmfmedia.org/2012/10/sanford-city-commission-elections/
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Must watch: “60 Minutes” feature on homeless children in Seminole County
Hard times generation: homeless kids
For some children, socializing and learning are being cruelly complicated by homelessness, as Scott Pelley reports from Florida, where school buses now stop at motels for children who’ve lost their homes.
Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7358670n#comments#ixzz1G0XeGfNQ
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Hard Times Generation: Families living in cars
Scott Pelley brings “60 Minutes” cameras back to central Florida to document another form of family homelessness: kids and their parents forced to live in cars.
Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7389750n#ixzz1m4pHobSH
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The $46.28 Fundraising Project
It costs SACSON an average of $46.28 for the necessary paperwork to help restore one person’s identity during an IDignity project.
We’re asking you to contribute at least one ID and reach out to friends, family, members of your church and more to do the same.
Thanks,
SACSON
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Coming Tuesday night May 21
See Sister Helen Prejean Live – FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! St. Vincent de Paul Orlando invites you to see Keynote Speaker, Sister Helen Prejean, live at Holy Family Catholic Church in Orlando on Tuesday, May 21 at 7 pm. Her best-selling book, Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty, was made into a major motion picture. For more information, please visit http://www.svdporlando.org
Minutes of the May 14, 2013 SACSON Meeting
Seminole Action Coalition Serving Our Needy (S.A.C.S.O.N.)
Minutes of the May 14, 2013 Meeting
Attendance: Fr. Rory Harris, Judy Wilhelm, Doreen Owens, Sharon Butler, Patti Parker, Major Tim Roberts, Betty Sonnenberg, Betty DesJardin.
The meeting was opened with prayer by Fr. Harris. Fr. Harris informed the group that his ministry at Holy Cross will end this Sunday. He will be studying for his doctorate beginning with a week in Pittsburgh. He is hoping to stay in the area and have a parish in Florida. This will also be his last meeting with SACSON. We wish him well and thank him for his service to this community.
The minutes were on the blog. Finances remain the same as with the last meeting.
The Dessert and Coffee was successful.
The Cold Night Shelter is a heat index shelter.
The information cards have been corrected, and Patti Parker will send to get 5,000 printed. The police department needs more.
IDignity’s future will depend on funding. Need to raise about $4,000 for another event.
Fundraising – the Paddleboat will be pursued. Such an event would include a night cruise, dinner, dancing, 50-50, and bidding for baskets. Looking to have this event in October.
Patti Parker agreed to take Fr. Harris’ place on the Task Force on Homelessness.
Major Tim Roberts has agreed to be temporary President through August, 2013.
There will be a Peace Conference at Fort Mellon Park on June 7 & 8th.
Love Sanford Project is being organized by Pastor John Murphy and the Dream Center (Paul Benjamin) to get Goldsboro Community and Georgetown together to help get small business started.
Meeting dates for this summer at the Salvation Army:
• May 28
• June11
• July 9
• August 13
Please mark your calendars. We need everyone’s assistance in reorganizing and moving SACSON forward. We have been so successful with the Dessert and Coffee’s, the Information Cards and Sanford IDignity. Please attend the next meeting at the Salvation Army at 6:30 pm. Thank you
Respectfully Submitted, Judy Wilhelm, Secretary
Farewell Reception Invitation
The People and Vestry of Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Sanford, FL invite you and the community to a Special Farewell Reception for our Rector, the Rev. Rory Harris, and Stacie and Glory Harris, as we celebrate the ministries they offered these past seven and one half years to our community.
Fr. Rory Harris is leaving to complete his doctoral degree studies.
Please stop by on Friday, May 17th between 7 to 9 p.m. to extend your best wishes to Fr. Rory, Stacie and Glory Harris.
The Farewell Reception will be held in the Parish Hall of Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 401 South Park Avenue, Sanford
Farewell Reception Invitation
The People and Vestry of Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Sanford, FL invite you and the community to a Special Farewell Reception for our Rector, the Rev. Rory Harris, and Stacie and Glory Harris, as we celebrate the ministries they offered these past seven and one half years to our community.
Fr. Rory Harris is leaving to complete his doctoral degree studies.
Please stop by on Friday, May 17th between 7 to 9 p.m. to extend your best wishes to Fr. Rory, Stacie and Glory Harris.
The Farewell Reception will be held in the Parish Hall of Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 401 South Park Avenue, Sanford
Minutes of the April 23, 2013 SACSON Meeting
SACSON – Seminole Action Coalition Serving Our Needy
Minutes of the Dessert and Coffee Meeting – April 23, 2013
The meeting was open with prayer by Fr. Harris. He welcomed all guests and gave an overview of SACSON and its works within the community. This evening program was entitled: Regional Solutions for Homeless by Harvest Time International. Twenty six individuals participated in this event.
Andre Smolinsky gave an overview of programs at Harvest Time. This organization began in Virginia in 1991 and opened in Sanford in 1999. They have 750 visits daily – 6 days per week. There is also a site in Port Orange that serves 200 persons daily. They had 85,000 volunteer hours in 2012. There is a Medical Care Center serving 150 patients per month; Dental Care Center that needs volunteer dentists; Christmas Bags of Joy, and they collaborate with other agencies in the community. Their newest program entitled, Homeless to Home, has placed 12 families to date, 34 families/individuals are in the interview process and 45 on the waiting list. Help is given for two years with the goal of being self-sufficient.
Pastor John Murphy spoke about the Regional Solution for Homelessness. The goal is to build a centralize city with affordable housing, case management, collaboration with all agencies, training and certifying individuals in warehouse services, and wrap around services. The first phase is the Homeless to Home program which was awarded $1,458,000. He then gave a testimony of how he began his work and his relationship with God. The second phase of his vision includes the Goldsboro area.
The meeting was adjourned with prayer.
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14th at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Sanford.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Wilhelm, Secretary
News from SACSON
April 10, 2013
News from SACSON
The Regional Solution for Homelessness
Pastor John Murphy, president and founder of Harvestime International will report on the progress of The Regional Solution for Homelessness at the Dessert and Coffee Forum hosted by SACSON (Seminole Action Coalition Serving Our Needy) at Holy Cross Episcopal Church on the corner of 4th St and Park Ave in Sanford, Tues. April 23rd at 6:30 pm.
The Regional Solution for Homelessness is committed to creating a sustainable network of dedicated support providers that will meet the homeless of our region at any point of entry and provide a complete solution that includes housing, clothing, food, counseling, health services, education, training, spiritual support, and case management.
Minutes of the 4/9 SACSON Meeting
Seminole Action Coalition Serving Our Needy (S.A.C.S.O.N.)
Minutes of the April 9, 2013 Meeting
The meeting was called to order by Fr. Harris. He welcomed everyone and had an opening prayer. The minutes from the previous meeting were suspended for approval until the next meeting.
Attendance: Betty Desjardin, Judy Wilhelm, Fr. Harris, Doreen Owens, Ms Coleman, Sharon Butler, Carol Brown, Suzanne Hill, Mary Alexander and Betty Sonnenberg
Information about Agencies
The Sharing Center reported a successful fundraiser. The Rescue Outreach Mission was recently awarded a $700,000 grand to fight homelessness and increase services including the bed count.
Financial Report
Our current balance in the checking account if $1,538.02
Committee Reports
No update on the cold night shelter from the Rescue Outreach Mission
The Dessert and Coffee will be held on Tuesday, April 23rd at 6:30 at Holy Cross Episcopal Church featuring Past John Murphy, Harvest Time International, Inc. He will speak on the Regional Solution for Homelessness. Discussion focused on advertising and refreshments. Volunteers will take on these events.
The information Cards are being formatted for printing reported Betty Sonnenberg.
IDignity – no report
Old Business
We will be working on two fundraisers for June and July. A night at the ballpark with the River Rats is being organized by Sharon Butler when all IDignity can come and ‘wear their shirts’. Fr. Harris will be meeting the representatives of the St. John’s River ship the ‘Barbara Lee” for an evening cruise/dinner schedule for this summer.
The Sanford Task Force on Homelessness will meet on April 11th at 3:30. Fr. Harris will attend.
There were no individuals who would come forward to take on Officers for Board of Directors.
New Business
There will be only one meeting a month during June and July. The June meeting will be on June 11th and the July meeting on July 9th. Twice a month meetings will occur in May and then again come August.
The meeting was adjourned with prayer by Fr. Harris.
Respectfully Submitted, Judy Wilhelm, Secretary
Minutes of the March 26, 2013 SACSON Meeting
SACSON minutes for 3/26/13
Father Harris opened the meeting with prayer.
Introductions around the room of the 10 persons present.
Announcements:
‘A Chocolate Affair’ Ap 7th at 2:00pm
Veteran’s Stand Down My 18th 9:00 to 1:00pm at the Seminole Health Dept.
May 4th provider registration deadline
Volunteers needed
Recovery House has beds available w/ counseling while they look for new location.
Minutes of the last meeting posted on the website were accepted without changes.
No treasurer’s report the need for fund raisers was noted.
Father Harris is still trying to confirm John Murphy from Harvestime International for the Dessert and Coffee tentatively scheduled for Ap 23rd.
Ms. T will begin drafting newspaper copy about SACSON for the Herald with the help of Sharon Butler. This info will be presented to the group for editing.
Andrew Powell is opening the cold night shelter at Rescue Outreach for March 26 and 27.
Bettie Sonnenberg reported that the city is formatting the Information Card and making corrections. We can probably get 2 more printings from the funds available. Chef Michael of the Corner Café wishes to make a donation for the cards which he gives out at his business.
Ms T suggested that we move our meeting to other local churches occasionally to encourage more church member participation in SACSON.
Sharon Butler will check into fund raiser offered by the River Rats summer baseball league home games.
Ms T and Father Harris reported that the new rivership named Barbara Lee offers fund raising cruises. The Wednesday and Saturday cruises cost $38.48 with others offered at increasing rates. With a capacity of 350 a fund raiser ticket of $100 has the possibility of raising $15,000 to $20,000 for one event and even more with games and drawings offered on board. They will explore further.
Next meeting on April 9th will be planning for the proposed forum April 23rd on The Regional Solution with John Murphy.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Butler, acting secretary
Minutes of the March 12, 2013 SACSON Meeting
Seminole Action Coalition Serving Our Needy (S.A.C.S.O.N.)
Minutes of March 12, 2013
The meeting was called to order with prayer by Fr. Rory Harris. Minutes were posted on SACSON’s blog with no corrections.
Sharing Information: The Sharing Center is having a fundraiser on April 7th (Wine and Chocolate Fashion Show). The Salvation Army is having a Sunrise Service at 7:00 am on Easter morning.
Finances: Current balance is $1,326.02
Major Tim Roberts moved and Doreen Owens seconded that St. Vincent de Paul may buy back from SACSON the left over bus tickets. It was passed unanimously.
Sanford IDignity Event on 3/7/13
137 individuals were served by 99 volunteers. Judy presented the results of the volunteer and client surveys. Major Tim Roberts was thanked for the use of his facility which was an excellent venue. He also indicated that he will give the use of his van for future events to save on the cost of renting vans. Jessie Figueroa spoke about having a new event’s coordinator for the next event. Leadership is critical; we need more agency representation. Perhaps Harvest Time made wish to be involved in future Sanford IDignity events. Fr. Harris requested information on the names of people who want to be involved or make financial contributions for future events.
The results of the event:
• Florida ID on Line $ 25.00
• DMV-Winter Springs (15 ID) 375.00
• DMV-Deland (8 ID; 1 license) 223.00
• Ray Valdes – Tax Collector (33 ID; 2 licenses) 1,071.00
• Florida Health Depart (48 BC) 816.00
• OSBC Costs (26) 537.50
• Food/Refreshments 585.00
• Queue Cards 50.00
• IDignity shirts 343.00
• Lynx Bus Passes (100) 405.00
• IDignity Franchise Fee 300.00
• IDignity Golden Tickets (2) 60.00
• Transportation (2 Vans) 463.70
• Supplies (Toner, Misc.) 234.02
• Gasoline for Vans 35.00
Total Costs to date: $5,523.22
Finances: We need to begin to raise another $5,000 to have another event. Orlando IDignity might be looking at federal grants and how to provide funds to the franchises. Jessie explained Orlando financial issues and indicated she would assist if we did a large fundraiser. Doreen Owens spoke about seeking funds from Beth Davelos’ program for children needing ID’s.
It was recommended that we VA services at the next IDignity event. Major Tim Roberts suggested that a committee be developed to come up with corporations that we might approach for financial assistance. He also indicated the he would have the room set up prior to the events since he now knows what is needed. Since we did not have the FLOW mobile there was a lot of transporting of clients. There is a commitment that the FLOW mobile will be available in the future for IDignity events. Scott Terry suggested having activities for all volunteers. Ms. Coleman suggested that we could use more chairs and have bus schedules available.
Committee Reports:
• Andrew Powell said that the Rescue Outreach Mission has had 4 nights of Cold Night Shelters to date. Fr. Harris explained SACSON’s history with this program.
• Still trying to have a Forum with John Murphy of Harvest Time on either April 2th or 23rd.
• The information cards are all out. It is now being updated and we will have another printing of 5,000 soon. This is the 3rd printing of the card.
• Task Force on Homelessness – no updates.
• We still need individuals to come forward to hold the positions of Treasurer, Secretary and President.
• A Veteran’s Stand Down will be held on May 18th at the Seminole County Health Department which will provide comprehensive services for homeless and low income veterans. Betty Desjardin and Bettie Sonnenberg will try to attend on behalf of SACSON/
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Marcy 26th at 6:30 pm at Holy Cross Episcopal Church.
Respectfully Submitted,
Judy Wilhelm, Secretary.
