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Funds will assist families
A concert Sunday is the final fundraiser of the year for an area social service agency.
YOUNGSTOWN — A series of fundraisers and some donations have buoyed the coffer and cupboard at Protestant Family Service, a private social service agency serving the greater Youngstown area.
The agency faced empty shelves and low funds during the summer. But the community has rallied to help PFS, which assists people in need.
After a Vindicator story about the agency’s dwindling assets, Gwen Vennetti of V&M Star delivered a $10,000 check to PFS, a gift from the company and employees. Other monetary donations of $500 and food donations also came in.
PFS had success with its fundraisers, and the finale is coming up this weekend. It’s the Make a Joyful Noise Concert planned for 4 p.m. Sunday at Wickcliffe Presbyterian Church, 45 Idlewood Ave., Austintown.
“The concert raises between $500 and $1,400,” said Jacqueline Burley, executive director of PFS.
The concert, featuring inspirational music, will be preceded by refreshments from 3 to 3:45 p.m. A free-will offering will be taken. Concert coordinators are Jim Locker and Harold and Cheri Blackann.
Harold Blackann said he and his wife have volunteered with PFS for some 10 years, assisting with the concert. “It’s a great opportunity to help,” he said. “The agency is nondenominational and helps so many people.
“The money doesn’t go to a specific church but to a cause,” Harold Blackann said. “People get something out of it ... wonderful music.”
Featured this year will be the Seraphim Chorus, a community choir with some 60 members. Robert Greitzer, chorus business manager and participant, said the chorus is involved “because it’s good cause and the agency does a lot of good.” He said Seraphim Chorus is in its ninth season.
Also performing will be Wick- cliffe Presbyterian Church choir, pianist Debbie Landry, saxophonist Nate Pinkard and soloists Carole Fuzelle, Jim Locker, Ben Mendelle and Clara Wilson.
The varied participation in the concert mirrors the scope of PFS, which Burley said networks with multiple organizations such as Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, Fish Samaritan and Help Hotline to get appropriate assistance for people in need.
“We’re here for the needy, not the greedy,” Burley said. “You do have a few people who go from agency to agency.”
Burley said, for the most part, people visiting the agency are upset and often embarrassed because, as she put it, “their backs are against the wall.” She predicted PFS and other agencies will face more requests for help if the economy continues to worsen. “We’ve had one-time supporters now needing help,” she added.
“We’re seeing more working people ... couples in crisis with one or both losing their jobs and we’re seeing more great-grandparents caring for children,” Burley said.
In 2007, PFS helped 520 households representing 1,218 individuals with emergency food by the end of October and a total of 695 families and 1,662 individuals. The agency saw 363 new clients.
So far this year, by the end of October, PFS had helped 794 households and 1,852 individuals with food and has seen 334 new clients from January through October.
In 2007, PFS helped 363 families with emergency utilities including water, gas, electric, transportation and rental assistance. Through October of this year, PFS has assisted 202 families in these areas.
“We already have surpassed 2007’s year-end total,” Burley said. The 2007 budget was $95,900 and 2008, $95,700. “We help people with the resources we have.”
“One of the main requests is help with transportation,” she said, noting that higher gas prices and cutbacks in bus routes have contributed to the problem.
“We want to be good stewards of our funds and contributions from churches, church groups, organizations, businesses and individuals,” Burley said. To that end, PFS follows established guidelines in the distribution of food, supplies and financial assistance.
linonis@vindy.com