Care-A-Van Ministries

Care-A-Van Ministries is pleased to announce that the City of Batavia has approved a permit to allow Care-A-Van to hold weekly Community Cookouts at Austin Park for the summer season of 2012.

For the past 10 years, Care-A-Van Ministries and their team of volunteeers have been going into the local neighborhoods to provide street church and cookouts. Paul Ohlson, Founder of Care-A-Van Ministries wanted to try something different this year. His vision is to bring the community together on a weekly basis for great food, music, sharing of the gospel and fellowship.

The weekly cookouts will be held on Thursday evenings at 6:00 PM beginning May 17th and will run through September 20th.

The cookouts will include hotdogs, hamburgs, salads, chips and a beverage. The Care-A-Van band will be providing music and local pastors will be giving a short sermon message. 

If any individuals, churches, businesses, or local agencies would like to get involved in the community cookouts, please give Paul a call at 585-343-0328

Care-A-Van Ministries is busy during this holiday seaon with their morning ministry. The bus is all decked out for Christmas. During the holiday times, it seems more people are needing encouragement, hope and prayer.  The bus is out in the city Monday through Thursday from 9 AM to 11 AM.  Paul Ohlson, founder of Care-A-Van Ministries stated that there has been approximately 780 visits this year during the mornings that the bus has been out.  Pictured above with Paul is volunteer Pastors Dave Bombella and Jack McMullen visit ing with a young woman.

Care-A-Van and their team of volunteers will be at Taste of Holidays Friday evening and once again will be serving those delicious brownies. Be sure to stop by and say hello!

Two weeks ago the Elba Cubscouts of Pack 17 and the Elba Boyscouts troop 17spent time hanging door tags on the homes of residents in the village and town of Elba.asking the residents to donate food to help the hungry. The scouts then went back and picked up the donated items.

The scouts under the leadhership of  Cubmaster Chris Chadbourne and Scoutmaster Frank Weibel donated the food to Care-A-Van Ministries of Batavia. Care-A-Van Ministries has weekly grocery distrbiutions for local families, responds to calls that come in for emergency groceries for families in need as well as networks with local churches to provide food for them to assist families in need as well.

Care-A-Van would like to thank the scouts, the leaders and the residents of Elba for partnernig with them to help feed those in need.

http://youtu.be/heJF0mZ9CRc

The children of Holland Avenue and members of the Seventh Day Adventist gathered together to send get well wishes to Sharon Strong. Sharon is the wife of Mitch Strong. She is currently in a hospital in Florida and had emergency surgery and is expected to have more surgery.

Sharon is a member of Seventh Day Adventist church. Her church has adopted Holland Avenue. For the past several years, the  church has been holding regular street church services and actvities and events for the neighborhood.  Sharon can often be found spending times with the families ministering to them and praying for them.

Care-A-Van Ministries of Batavia provides their vehicles to the church to use for their outings to the neighborhood. The kids and their families truly missed Sharon at their most recent outing. Mitch Strong has been sending regular updated emails with Sharon's condition to family and friends. He thanks everyone for their continued prayers.

Cards can be sent to Sharon at :

CrestonHouse 2E
5930 A1A South
St Augustine, FL  32080

Care-A-Van Ministries held their annual Welcome Back cookout for GCC college students Thursday evening. The students enjoyed a free picnic with delicious food, ice cream cones, a great message by Elder George Williams of Highway to Holiness and music by the Care-A-Van Band. Starting in October, Care-a-van will start their monthly rotation out to the college to visit all 95 dorm rooms with treats and prayer offered to all.

The third annual Caring for the City Day was a huge success. This day is co-hosted by Care-A-Van Ministries and dentists Russ Marchese and Marcella Morales-Ross and staff. This year the team was joined by 19 local agencies and churches as well. The main event of the day is the free dental clinic. Sixty patients received free dental services ranging from X-rays and cleanings, to fillings and extractions. The patients ranged in age from young children to the elderly. The clinic is held for those who do not have dental insurance.

Batavia Photo Club was on hand and offered free family portraits to the families. The families could actutally have their picture taken and it was printed on the spot. One couple noted that they had not had a family portrait taken in 13 years.  Free haircuts were given by Michelle Andre and Ellen Stanton. P.C. Publications was giving away free books to all who attended. Fidelis Health Care and Lake Plains were on hand to help those who did not have health insurance apply for benefits.

Emmanuel Baptist Church member Heidi Richmond did free face painting for the children. Community Action staff and volunteers offered a variety of goodies. Salvation Army was on the grounds offering their services and a variety of free bread to all. Other agencies and churches participating were: Agri-Business Child Development; Cornell Co-Op; UMMC; Office for the Aging; Indepdent Living; GCASA Smoke Free Program; St. Paul Lutheran Church; Habitat for Humanity; and there was a prayer table hosted by Pastor Charlie Piscitello and his wife, Judy.

Care-A-Van Ministries wants to thank Russ, Marcela and team and all of the agencies, churches and volunteers who helped make this day possible. You all truly made a difference for those living in your community!  Be sure to check out Care-A-Van's Facebook page for all pictures from this event.

Care-A-Van Ministries will be hosting the 3rd annual "Caring for the City Day" free community dental clinic with Dr. Russell Marchese, Dr. Marcela and their team.

This dental clinic is for those who do not have dental insurance. Cleanings, fillings, and extractions will be offered.

17 other local agencies and churches will also be on site to offer free services, information and assistance to those attending  Caring for the City day.

Batavia  Photo Club will be offering free family portraits to the families. The families will go home with their just taken photo.  Other agencies on hand will be Circle of Love, Community Action, Agri- Business Child Development, Cornell Co-op, Emmanuel Baptist church, Fidelis Care, UMMC, PC Publications, Lake Plains, Office for the Aging, Indpendent Living, Smoke Free Now, Salvation Army, and  Prayer Table by Pastor Charlie Piscitello. We are also hoping to be offering free hair cuts.

There will be face painting and games for the children as well.  The time is from 8:00 A.M until 3:00 PM at 401 East Main street. It is on a first come first served basis. Last year, Dr. Russ, Dr. Marcela and team gave free dental care to 68 patients.  We truly do appreciate everyone's support and prayers for this special community day!

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On Saturday morning, the Northgate MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) went out with Care-A-Van Ministries to Central Avenue. The moms brought along books and goodie bags to give to the children whose families came for groceries. It was a great morning out on the streets for the group.  30 f amilies with 92 family members received groceries from Care-A-Van.

Care-A-Van was at Batavia Gardens for their weekly grocery distribution.  A group of women had gotten together to celebrate one of their friend's  birthday. Instead of bringing gifts for her, they all brought items that could be used to bless other mothers on Mother's Day. They  then created and donated the blessing boxes to Care-A-Van to distribute to moms and  and to children to have a gift to give to their mom on Mother's Day.

Here below is Bridget Ohlson, Co-Founder of Care-A-Van blessing one of the women that came to the truck today.

Care-A-Van Ministries will be sponsoring their 11th Annual Community Easter Dinner. The free delicious dinner will be served Easter Sunday from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at the Assembly of God church located on North Spruce Street. The Assembly of God Church will be providing van service for those who are in need of a ride. Please call 343-0328 by Saturday evening if a ride is needed to the dinner.

If you are looking to be blessing to others and would like to volunteer to help with the dinner, please call 343-0328.

Last year over 90 folks attended.