There are many opportunities for hands-on mission at Wildwood Presbyterian Church. We believe in using our minds, hearts, and hands for mission, as well as our dollars and our building. Check out the following options for being part of God's renewing and restoring work in the world.
PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter)
WPC is a PADS site every Tuesday nights, October through April, acting as a shelter for people who are homeless. Guests arrive by bus, sleep on foam pads (hence the name) and receive dinner, breakfast, and a bag lunch, before returning to North Chicago in the morning, where assistance in employment and housing is available through the PADS office.
WPC is one of many churches in Lake County who open the door to men, women, and children who have no place warm to sleep on a cold night. The all volunteer staff works three shifts (6 - 11pm, 11 - 3am, 3 - 7 am). WPC provides volunteers for the first, third, and fifth Tuesday of the month. Our partner churches, the Evangelical Free Church and St. Lawrence Episcopal Church (both of Libertyville) provide volunteers on the second and fourth Tuesdays. WPC provides site leadership and coordination every week, as well as the gym where our guests sleep. To learn more about PADS, check their website http://www.lakecountypads.org/. To volunteer, call the church office (847-223-0073). Training is offered for volunteers at several points during the year.
ExtraCare...for families living with Alzheimer's
ExtraCare is an outreach begun by WPC in 1996 after a church member had a terribly difficult time taking care of her husband who was afflicted with Alzheimer's. The program, which meets in the art room at WPC, currently provides part-time day care on Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Guests participate in a varied program of exercise, music, art, news, games, and more. Studies show that people with dementia who participate in such a program have a significantly slower rate of decline than those who do not. ExtraCare also enables caregivers to take advantage of time away to address personal matters or merely rest and recuperate. A small fee is charged.
For information about the program, or to bring a guest for a free trial, call Director Crystal Barnett, 847-543-0922 or check the ExtraCare website at http://www.extracare.us/.
WPC Food Pantry
The Deacons of Wildwood Presbyterian Church sponsor a food pantry distribution of perishable and imperishable food on the first Saturday morning of every month. Recipients are asked to arrive no sooner that 9:00 a.m. to participate in the lottery system to determine who is served first. Volunteers should come from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. The pantry benefits people in Warren and Avon Townships. While occasionally a church member is served, the pantry is largely for the benefit of the community. Scout and school food drives amplify the congregation's contributions. Financial donations to the pantry make possible the purchase of food at extremely low prices from the Lake County Food Bank. To help with food distribution and related tasks, please contact the church office.
Tiny Treasures Christian Preschool
The Tiny Treasures Christian Preschool is an outreach of the church. Providing an outstanding preschool program from a faith perspective is a marvelous opportunity for church members and non-members alike. Normally, volunteers for the preschool come from the ranks of preschool parents; however, there is always a job to do. Contact director Darlene Isaac (847-223-0186) or ) for details.
For information about registration, philosophy, etc. of Tiny Treasures, visit their website www.wpcpreschool.org .
Habitat for Humanity
In 2005 WPC joined six other Presbyterian Churches in Lake County to build a Habitat for Humanity home for a grateful family. The Presbyterians were on the move again, building another house in 2008. Now we and our fellow Presbyterians in Libertyville, Lake Forest, and Round Lake, are building our third home for the Albea family. WPC's share of the money is $10,000; our share of the labor is whatever we put into it. Skilled and unskilled labor is needed; WPC is currently providing volunteers on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. For placement on the volunteer list, email Dave Murphey at .
Christmas Angel Tree for Busy Bee Child Care Center
Each Christmas WPC adopts the children of the Busy Bee Child Care Center in Waukegan, purchasing Christmas gifts for these children of working parents. Paper Angels with suggested gifts disappear instantly from the Angel Tree, which has to be regularly reloaded. The Deacons throw a Christmas Party for the children, complete with the appearance of Santa and Mrs. Claus to distribute the gifts, and cookies and punch for all.
Back to School Project
Each fall the Board of Deacons supports children who do not have all their back to school supplies (backpacks, glue, crayons, etc.). Watch the newsletter and bulletin for what is needed, and bring your gifts to the welcome center in the fellowship hall. The Deacons also send Easter baskets to the children of One Hope United, and care packages to WPC college students and members of the armed forces; watch for the opportunity to contribute to these collections as well.
Boy Scouts
WPC is proud to sponsor Boy Scout Troop 672 and Cub Scout Pack 672. Information about Scout activities and recruitment are available on their web page http://672scouts.org/. A list of Eagle Scouts from Troop 672 is posted in Fellowship Hall by the entrance to the library.
Other opportunities for hands on mission regularly arise during the course of the year. Watch the church newsletter Shavings and the worship bulletin for notice.