Submitted by Andy Lipasti, Parish Council Chair, Faith United Parish

We’re heading into the cold and dark days of winter, but on a warm and sunny afternoon last July, the Youth Group from Faith United Parish in Fitchburg held a bottled water sale to benefit Joe’s Kids, an organization that helps Vietnamese children inflicted with polio, scoliosis, and other handicaps have a chance at a better life.

Every year, Longsjo Classic Bicycle Race participants travel through the streets of Fitchburg, rolling right past the Faith United Parish. The Longsjo Classic is one of the oldest and largest pro/am cycling competitions in the United States and honors the memory of the skating and cycling Hall of Fame member Arthur Longsjo, the nation’s first dual Olympian and a Fitchburg native.

The race is a popular attraction in Fitchburg and a crowd usually forms along the race route, including Main Street, where the church is located. The church youth group members thought they could use this event as an opportunity for mission and outreach. The youth group, along with assistance from some adults, set up a tent and a couple of tables in the church parking lot bordering on Main St. and sold the bottled water from coolers. The water and ice were donated to the group from the church members.

Around 8-10 children and teenagers from the church’s youth group participated. Christian Education teacher Sherri Cormier noted that the children were very excited, and kept asking “Can I help?” She noted the group is ready to do more next year.

About eight Vietnamese teens, along with Joe Bodanza of Joe’s Kids, came to visit the water sale and watch the Longsjo Classic Bicycle Race. Bodanza is the Director of Child Medical Connection, Inc. in Leominster, and has made many trips to Vietnam to bring children to the United States for medical treatment.

When asked about Faith United Parish’s Youth Group benefit event, Joe stated he was impressed and very flattered to see one group of youngsters helping out another. He added “I’d like to see my kids ride the bikes, some can’t even walk. How important legs are!”

Pastor Stewart Lanier noted that this water sale was a great event for the church. “The kids are having fun, raising money for Joe’s Kids, and chatting with people on the street. Adults are hanging around and visiting. Oh, yes, there is this huge bike race going on. It’s a win, win, win situation.” The Youth Group’s water sale earned $151.00 for Joe’s Kids. There was also a separate charitable collection that raised $32.00 for the Church’s Capital Campaign Clock Tower restoration project.

Faith United Parish is a cooperative ministry of the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church. For more on Faith United Parish visit www.faithunitedparish.com/. Joe’s Kids continues through generous financial and service donations. For more information on Joe’s Kids visit http://www.misterjoe.org/.

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