Steeple Vigil Begins Friday June 1 until?
Fourteen years ago, Rev. David Bahr the pastor of Archwood United Church of Christ and his congregation started a food drive with an unusual twist during the annual Archwood Avenue Garage Sale. Reverend Dave with the help of Fire Company #20 entered the steeple of his church high above the treetops on Archwood Avenue vowing to remain until the church steps were filled with food items for the needy. The yearly food drive is a tradition in our neighborhood with many people dropping off foodstuffs before venturing down the street in search of bargains.
Over the years the scenario has changed, David is no longer lifted into the steeple by Ladder Truck #20 and he no longer remains in the steeple for the entire time it takes to gather the food. The youth group has enthusiastically taken over some of that duty as well as the hardier members of the congregation. The filling of the steps has changed to numbers of pounds of food with the amount being stretched each year to a bit larger number. If you have ever entered the church located at 2800 Archwood Avenue, you are aware of how massive those steps are.
But some things remain the same, Reverend Bahr will kick off the steeple vigil and the food drive will continue until the two ton goal is met. Many years ago, one of the organizers told me that rice, flour and sugar help the poundage rise quickly as do canned goods. Each person’s donation is weighed and added to the pounds amid applause and cheers.
The Archwood Avenue Garage Sale happens twice a year on the first weekend in June and September. June is the kick-off sale and usually has great participation and lots of good “stuff” for sale. This year a lot of neighbors who do not live on Archwood will also be joining the sale either by teaming with an Archwood Avenue seller or branching out onto their own streets with signs showing the way. So if you are a garage sale aficianado or if you are just looking for something just a bit different to do on a Saturday, please stop by. Don’t forget to add a few pounds to your grocery cart this week so that you can stop of at 2800 Archwood Avenue and support the United Church of Christ with their food drive that benefits Brookside Center.
May 31st, 2007 at 11:03 am
Thank you so much for helping to get the word out about our food drive. The community rallies every year when we ask for their help - and we depend on greater-Clevelander’s generosity to fill our goal. We have collected around 50,000 pounds in the last 14 years, plus over $10,000 in cash (if you don’t want to bring food, you are welcome to bring cash or a check). Brookside Center is currently serving about 700 families each month, with 20,000 individuals helped in 2006. Summer-time can be challenging for families because the schools are not serving free lunches - thus our drive coincides with the beginning of summer. So, thank you for coming out and helping! We need each of you.
June 4th, 2007 at 1:43 am
it’s heartier.
June 4th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Is it? I thought “heartier” referred to a heartier laugh or a very hearty personality as in robust or full; whereas, “hardier” would refer to someone’s tougher physique or stamina to withstand long steep steps.
I asked the wordsmith who lives with me and he said I meant hardier, but at first, I thought I meant heartier but on fuller examination I thought hardier was the proper word.
Thanks for the info.