April 24, 2025
Just before the holiday weekend, our Ambassadors of Mercy board members and friends from Mariano’s came together to pack a total of 60 Easter meals for our Community Care members.
“The volunteers embraced that opportunity to do something [good] for the Home,” said Rita McGovern, Mercy Home’s director of affiliated constituencies. “It’s really important that we make those resources available for Community Care members.”
The meal kits included a variety of delicious holiday foods, such as turkey, ham, macaroni and cheese, green beans, dinner rolls, fresh fruit, and candy, plus a $25 gift card to buy groceries at Mariano’s. All of the food was generously provided by Mariano’s so that all our members could celebrate the holiday with a special meal.
“We are extremely grateful to Mariano’s for supporting this year’s meal packing kit event,” said Jim Marrese, director of business development and strategic initiatives. “They made the event more special by volunteering to assemble the kits.”
The meal kits came at the perfect time for Terry, a Community Care member.
“With me being out of work right now and figuring out what I’m going to eat on a day-to-day basis, this came right on time,” he said. “There’s enough food in there to last me a week or two. It was definitely something I needed.”
Terry came to Mercy Home in 2006, after living in two foster homes. After reflecting on his time here and in Community Care, he’s overwhelmed with gratitude for all the endless support, guidance, and resources he’s received.
“When I come [to Community Care], they make me feel welcomed, important, and special,” he said. “I am so grateful Mercy was in my path. They caught me at such a pivotal point in my life. This place changed my life; it’s currently changing my life. Mercy Home is amazing. I’ll scream about it until I can’t. [I] love this place.”
Tim Webb, one of the Ambassadors of Mercy, was eager to play a part in making sure our youth and families had a wonderful Easter.
“I have seen firsthand how hard the dedicated employees of Mercy Home work to make things happen for kids and families of Mercy,” he said. “I wanted to pitch in and lend a helping hand. … It was a fantastic experience to collaborate with fellow volunteers and Mercy staff in a coordinated effort.”
Webb also brought his son, Evan, to join the volunteer effort for the first time this year.
“[It] allowed him to learn about helping others,” he said. “On the car ride over, he was really excited at the prospect of being part of something that helps other kids and families. … All in all, we volunteered our time and effort, but we received plenty back in return.”
Collin Armold, a volunteer and a mentor with our Friends First program, was grateful to contribute his time and support to help our Community Care members in need.
“I love being a part of the Mercy Home family,” Armold said. “It’s really nice to be a part of a group that works in the direction together for the greater good.
“[Mercy Home] is a very special place,” he said. “If anybody is considering getting involved, I highly recommend doing so.”
Thank you to all our board members and volunteers for their time and effort packing meals. And a very special thank you to Mariano’s for their wonderful donations!
As our boys and girls enter adulthood, they will make life-changing decisions. Some will enroll in a four-year college while...
April 23, 2025
On a recent Sunday morning, a group of our young people and staff ran through Grant Park and the streets...
April 11, 2025
Adorning walls throughout Mercy Home for Boys & Girls every February are portraits of African American trailblazers, from activists such...
March 27, 2025