Service Ministry:

Has as its mission to foster community service activities by providing opportunities for direct service and education concerning human needs of the community to members of Holy Cross Parish. Formed in 1999, there are currently 300 active parishioners serving in a volunteer capacity.

Habitat for Humanity is an internationally known organization, which provides housing assistance to needy families by constructing and giving a home to families who have undergone extensive financial training. Moreover, these families have contributed substantial amounts of sweat equity to the construction of their new home. Our Community Service Ministry volunteers assist in various phases of mentoring and construction of the numerous residences presently underway in Indian River County.

The Sneaker Exchange provides shoes and socks to the most needy school children in our community. Sneaker Exchange projects have Holy Cross Community Service volunteers meet school children at various local footwear outlets to assist them in purchasing new shoes and socks. In many instances, our volunteers see the child receive the first pair of new shoes that they have owned in their lifetime. No financial commitment is involved from our volunteers; the individuals in charge of the Sneaker Exchange have raised all funding necessary for the project.

St. Francis Manor provides efficiency apartments for low-income seniors. Holy Cross Volunteers coordinate social events throughout the year such as an Easter dinner with Easter baskets for each resident, Mother's /Father's Day Tea/Picnic, Christmas Dinner with gifts from the Giving Tree, Valentine's Dance, Octoberfest among others. Volunteers are needed to provide and serve food, entertainment, support and friendship to those elders who may feel forgotten.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters utilizes volunteers in a school based mentoring program. Holy Cross Parishioners work one-on-one with a child in grade Kindergarten through Grade 2, one hour a week at the child's school. Training is provided. Any caring adult is eligible.

Salvation Army needs Holy Cross volunteers to spend one hour a week boxing food items for families in need. Boxes are packed from the "pantry" according to the size of the family. Light lifting is required. Also needed are volunteers for the Thrift shop, as well as holiday helpers in November and December.

Meals on Wheels/Council on Aging needs regular drivers (once a week or more) and substitute drivers ("on call" the day of your choice) to deliver hot meals to the homebound. Volunteers are also needed to do some shopping on a weekly or monthly basis for those unable to leave their homes. In addition, the Retired Service Volunteer Program (RSVP) has many interesting and varied volunteer opportunities for community wide service at our 85 sites in Indian River County.

Youth Project Leaders (Mentors) needed to work with youth in our parish cleaning and repairing homes of local residents who are unable or cannot afford to do the repairs themselves. Project days are three Saturdays a year ( August, December, March) from 8:00 - 1:00.

Winter Blanket Drive usually held in December to benefit the migrant workers living in substandard housing in Fellsmere. New and "like new" blankets and sleeping bags are collected at all masses on the designated weekend.

Homeless Family Center accomodates up to 60 residents and is full to capacity 100% of the time. Holy Cross volunteers provide Thanksgiving Dinner as well as necessities to fill the pantry. Volunteers help man telephones, sort donated clothing and provide with babysitting.