www.dearneighbor.org
1329 S. Bluffview, Wichita, KS 67218
NON-PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
WICHITA, KS
PERMIT #84
Sharon Bastian
Sister Vicki Bergkamp, ACS
Sister Joan Burger, CSJ
Gayla Carney
Danielle Donovan
Audrey Curtis Hane
Cyndi Martin
Dr. Michael Patton
Julie Schillings
Sister Pat Stanley
Kellie E. Hogan
Rich Kerschen
Brad LaForge
Sister Diane Leary, CSJ
Father Pat Malone
Sister Angela Marie Houska,
ASC
Tony Morrow
Hassan Ramzah
Sister Marilyn Stahl, CSJ
Marcia Wood
SISTERS OF
DIRECTORS
ST. JOSEPH
BOARD OF
ISSUE 1, SEPTEMBER 2015
WALK WITH
THOSE IN NEED
Located in southeast Wichita, Hilltop is a densely concentrated neighborhood with a unique and
interesting history. In 1927, two new aircraft companies were formed in Wichita, and by the fall of 1940,
the aircraft plants were ramping up production associated with World War II. Hilltop was built to house
aircraft defense workers who were migrating to Wichita to raise families and build their futures. Today,
Hilltop continues to be the home of growing families, most of them struggling to make ends meet.
12th Annual
CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
MONDAY
OCTOBER 5TH, 2015
WILLOWBEND GOLF CLUB
Cost: $150 per player
$175 after September 18th
Cost includes: cart, lunch, on-course beverages and our
signature steak dinner at Mt. St. Mary’s Convent.
All proceeds benefit
For more information, or to register, email Brenda Wasinger at [email protected]
For fifteen years, Sister Ann Catherine Burger, CSJ, visited the neighbors in Hilltop bringing them food
and listening to their stories. At 94 years of age she has decided to retire, but continues to teach others
to carry-on her ministry. Dear Neighbor Ministries recently hired a full-time outreach coordinator to not
only follow in her footsteps, but to provide case management services.
Prior to working full-time at Dear Neighbor Ministries, Jenny served as an
AmeriCorps member and St. Joseph Worker at Dear Neighbor Ministries. Part
of her service work included riding around the neighborhood with Sister Ann
Catherine visiting families and providing a presence in the Hilltop neighborhood.
One of the projects that Jenny got involved in was the Neighborhood
Beautification Project. Not only did families from the
neighborhood get involved, but volunteers from local churches
also assisted with this project. This project was an inspiration
for Jenny as she watched a bond form between the neighbors
and volunteers.
At the end of the day there is no “US” and “Them”, only
all working together for the same cause. Serving without
distinction is why Jenny continues to love doing outreach work
for the Hilltop neighborhood. Do you agree with Jenny?
FOOD PANTRY
Helping those in need of a meal
The Dear Neighbor Ministries Food Pantry exists to help our
neighbors stretch their paychecks as far as possible, and yet
keep their families healthy during lean times. Even though
66% of those coming to the food pantry are from the Hilltop
Neighborhood, we also serve the surrounding areas as
well. Hunger has no boundaries, and anyone in search of
food will not leave empty handed. During the month of June,
at least 150 households came to our door, experienced our
hospitality and left with bags of food.
We would welcome your donations to our food pantry, or if you
would rather volunteer to restock our shelves…we would enjoy
your company. Monetary donations are always welcome. That allows us to purchase
meat items directly from the Kansas Food Bank at a greatly reduced cost. To donate
online, please go to Dear Neighbor Ministries’ website at: www.dearneighbor.org,
click on “Donate” and simply follow the directions. Any donation is considered a true
blessing! Thank you.
FOOD PANTRY
WISH LIST
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Diapers – All Sizes
Shampoo
Toothbrushes &
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Dish Soap
Paper Towels
Toilet Paper
Cleaning Supplies
Laundry Soap
Please bring your donations to our Dear Neighbor Ministries Office at:
1329 South Bluffview and ask for Brenda.
BECOME A
VOLUNTEER
Share your time and talent
We offer a variety of volunteer
opportunities. They include
working
in
the
Peace
Garden; helping distribute
food; painting, maintenance
and home repair; reception
and office work; data entry;
helping with tax returns or
paying bills; serving as a
mentor; and many others.
For more information on
volunteering,
please
call
316-684-5120
He is a farmer from his youth, an opera major in college, a hummer, a
wild animal lover, poultry aficionado, and serves as the “Guardian of the
Garden.” For the past 10 years, Eldon Tuttle-Wildman has exercised his
“green thumb” in the Dear Neighbor Ministries Community Garden.
The gardeners in the Community Garden have changed over the past
ten years according to Eldon. “What makes this garden so special are
the people. It used to be more of a social atmosphere, since many of
the gardeners were able to garden throughout the day. Now, many of
the gardeners are working full time and garden after work and on the
weekends. We have very diverse and interesting plantings now. You
will see Japanese, Vietnamese, and Indian gardening techniques, as
well as the traditional mid-western vegetable plantings.”
There are 75 planting beds that are rented out in October by Dear
Neighbor Ministries to “would-be” gardeners for the next season. If
you want to try your skill at raising your own produce or flowers, call
Dear Neighbor Ministries at 684-5120 and place your name on the
list for the 2016 growing season.
COMMUNITY &
PEACE GARDEN
This garden has been a blessing for the Hilltop Neighborhood and
Eldon has been a blessing for the Community Garden. Stop by and
see the seasonal decorations that adorn the
common area at the entrance to the garden.
It is all due to Eldon’s collecting and creative
vision. Thank you Eldon for helping make this
Community Garden a relaxing and peaceful
spot, right in the middle of our city!
A NOTE FROM
SISTER ANN CATHERINE
Since the Lord’s Diner came to Hilltop over
a year ago, I have sat in the golf cart just
to be present and available if someone should
like a word or two with me. I have been edified by
all the people who have come of all ages, color, and
size. Some have great vigor and agility while others are less endowed with that gift. Right now
I would like to tell you of a man who has come the last two days. I have not seen him before
although he may have been there. He has a baby in a halter which hangs in front of his chest,
a child in a carriage, and another child about three years of age or so walking and holding
onto the carriage. He asks for six packages of food and then leaves as he has come
– walking. I do not know the man, how far he has walked, or anything about him.
However, he has left an impression with me and that is he must be a good father.
Just as this man has impressed me by his ordinary actions, so may we
each make a good impression on those around us. May God
bless each of you as you go about your ordinary lives
showing forth Christ to others by your faithfulness to
God’s plan in your lives.
Motivated by the God-given dignity of each person, we journey with
people towards stability and self-sufficiency.