MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID (YOUTH)
Mental Health First Aid USA will take place on Aug. 14, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Diocese of Orange Pastoral Center, Conference Rooms A and B, 13280 Chapman Ave., in Garden Grove.
Mental Health First Aid USA is an evidence-based training that teaches participants how to identify, understand and respond to someone who is experiencing a mental health or substance-abuse challenge.
For more information, contact Rebecca Freeman, Pastoral Care Ministry Coordinator, at [email protected] or call 714-282-6059.
JOIN THE LADIES AUXILIARY
Calling all those interested in becoming a member of the Knights of Peter Claver, Ladies Auxiliary in the Orange County area!
If you are a practicing Catholic and interested in Catholic values of friendship, unity and Christian charity, please contact Lady Deputy Karen Pinson via email at [email protected] or call 213-324-2101.
CYPRESS KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS HELP VETERANS IN NEED
Entire rooms radiated with smiles as five military veterans at the Anaheim Terrace Care Center on Knott Avenue received wheelchairs this month donated by the Knights of Columbus Council 8599 from St. Irenaeus Catholic Church in Cypress.
U.S. Marine Corps veteran James Hiatt of Pico Rivera expressed heartfelt appreciation on behalf of the other veterans who need the wheelchairs for better mobility due to various medical conditions. Hiatt served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War-era as a Private First Class for six years in motor transportation duties at several military bases. Hiatt also proudly told of his football exploits as a defensive back whose gridiron skills at four different California colleges and universities got him tryouts with the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos and the California Sun of the old USFL.
Council Grand Knight Chris Nsor discussed how rewarding it was to meet the veterans, along with Knights Rick Tkach and David Dunn, Grace and Ken Francis and Mary Tkach from the St. Irenaeus Health Ministry, to learn of their need, and that the Council is able to help. Nsor complimented the Care Center staff for the making the event move along smoothly.
The St. Irenaeus K of C Council recently conducted its annual fund-raising drive, receiving donations from parishioners, friends and neighbors of more than $22,000 – enough to purchase 125 wheelchairs for military veterans in Orange County. Nsor said the intent is to have similar events such as this one at the Anaheim Terrace Care Center as opportunities present themselves.
The Knights’ wheelchair program began 10 years ago, and since then, donations have led to the purchase of more than 1,500 wheelchairs for veterans.
—By Irv Cuevas