Episcopal Community Services

Blue skies and sky-high participation marked the annual Harvest Festival at St. Thomas' Church, Whitemarsh. Several busses arrived full of ECS clients ready to enjoy activities on the parish's rolling green campus.
 
The annual event is one of several occasions each year when parish volunteers come together to host ECS families. The Harvest Festival, the Be an Angel holiday party and the summer camp for children all provide an opportunity for parishioners to live out their faith.
 
"Over the past few years, I have tried to really bring it alive for the parish and connect all the dots with our wonderful relationship with ECS," said Amy Roak, organizer of the event. "It involved everyone from our older parishioners to the next generation. Our confirmation curriculum talks a lot about service, but when you really do it, it lights a fire."
  
Roak estimates that the event draws over 100 volunteers. Most show up on the day of the event to serve food, man the craft tables and help out at the parish thrift store where guests are invited to fill their bags with clothes and toys free of charge. Others help out prior to the event with food donations and publicity.
 
"Families at St. Thomas are so fortunate to have the grounds, and these resources are meant to be shared," Roak said.
 
See pictures from the Harvest Festival on the ECS Facebook page (no account needed).