FACILITIES

Like any office or household, the Newman Center buildings and grounds require regular maintenance and occasional repair.

Routine responsibilities at the Newman Center include cleaning the church, Newman House, and general yard work. Please call Ellen Brinkman at 765-288-6180 if you would like to lend a hand.

If you have a green thumb, you might also consider adopting one of our parking lot "islands". We depend on the talents of our parishioners to keep our parking lot green and beautiful. Opportunities to help fall into these three commitment levels.

Islanders are responsible for planning, planting, and maintenance of a specific area of the St. Francis grounds. This area will be yours in future years and will give you the opportunity to put your own "signature" on the area. Plants will be from your resources as well as divisions, seed startings, etc. from other members. Financial help is available if needed.

Time required: Depends on the size of your area and how you want it to look — probably 30 minutes to an hour of your time each week during the growing season. Work is basically unsupervised. Attend one or two meetings a year.

Assist in the maintenance of some common areas of St. Francis on an as-needed basis, usually weeding in some of the ivy or rock areas. Beachcombers will have first choice of islands as they become available. Most of these activities will take place on one or two Saturday mornings in the spring and fall — unless you want to be assigned a specific area to weed.

Time required: 5-10 hours per year. Attend meetings if you wish.

Provide plantings during the year from your own divisions, seed startings, or purchases, and give information on the plant name and plant requirements. After consultation, you may plant or just leave your offerings behind at the Newman Center for an Islander to plant. This is a great way to participate in the gardens of St. Francis.

Time required: At your convenience.

Bob Bick oversees our gardeners. Please call him at 765-396-3361 to get involved.

If you are handy around the house, you can be handy around the Newman Center too! There are always odd jobs and small electrical and plumbing repairs to be done.

To volunteer your services, please call Ellen Brinkman at 765-288-6180.