Kayak poster . . .

A prestigious Old Town kayak up for raffle

You could be paddling a "Cayuga 130" kayak built by Old Town — famous builder of canoes and kayaks — next spring for just $15!! The kayak sells for $939 but raffle tickets from the Taskforce for the Homeless are only $15 each — or 2 for $25, or 4 for $50. The drawing will be held June 4, 2009 or as soon as the maximum of 500 tickets are sold.

See details: www.oldtowncanoe.com/kayaks/recreation_touring/cayuga_130.html

Information on ticket purchases is available through kayak committee chairman Judy Erickson at 508-747-0022. All proceeds benefit the Plymouth Taskforce for the Homeless, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

"Overnights" season underway

An increase in early-season guests was obvious during the first week (Oct. 26-Nov.1, 2008) of the Overnights of Hospitality; in previous years, the early week guests tended to average about 5 per night -- this year, the first two night totals were low, but reached 12 by the end of the week. Many of the homeless men we've known from previous years tend to show up after the mild nights of October and early November turn into chillier weather.

At the monthly meeting Nov. 6 of the Taskforce board, board members and attendees involved with various feeding programs around town reported large increases in visitors to their meals. Generally, participant numbers doubled since last year, the highest number — reported at the Church of the Pilgrimage — was 40. (One of the men confided to me that "the cooks at the Pilgrimage are great – and they have ice cream for dessert every day.")

Overnights of Hospitality to begin 5th season

Dear Taskforce Friends and Volunteers,
We will soon be starting our 5th season for the Overnights of Hospitality program. We are looking forward to working with those of you who have volunteered in the past to be hosts (chaperones) and/or meal providers.
As the site coordinators begin to set up their schedules, we need to know who is available for volunteering. So, please let us know if you are — or are not — still willing to participate by replying to Connie Melahoures at conmel@aol.com. Also, let us know if you are a host and/or meal volunteer and when you are available.
There will be a training for new volunteers at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5 in Allerton Hall at the Church of the Pilgrimage, Town Square. Experienced volunteers, of course, are also invited to attend. In fact, bring your friends!

Taskforce golf drives to the 'green'!

Southers Marsh Golf Club again provided a manicured course flooded with June 2's sunlight for another successful golf tourney. Everything was bigger and better than 2007: more golfers, more sponsorships, more silent auction items.
The revenue was also bigger! Close to $7,000 was netted to support the Next Step House and its six residents as well as the Overnights of Hospitality, our cold weather shelter program.
Thanks to everyone who participated — we certainly appreciate your support.

Golf tourney: do good by swinging well!

The third annual gala golf tournament to benefit the Plymouth Taskforce for the Homeless will be held Sunday, June 1, 2008 at Southers Marsh Golf Club in Plymouth. The tournament continues the effort to fund the purchase of the leased house now occupied by recently homeless men who need supportive services as well as shelter.

The shotgun start will be at 1 p.m. but golfers should arrive by noon to sign in and maybe loosen up at the driving range or putting green. The $110 entry fee includes a golf cart to travel the 18-hole course, an awards dinner and silent auction. Added to the traditional prizes — closest to the pin, longest drive, hole-in-one — will be specials to be annouced later.
Those unable to play golf may make reservations ($35) to arrive about 6 p.m. for the dinner and silent auction.
For more information about the event or about hole sponsorships, program book ads or silent auction donations, call Doris Johnson at 508-747-3899 – or Connie Melahoures, conmel@aol.com .


The Taskforce for the Homeless organized in October 2004 to provide cold-weather emergency shelter to Plymouth’s homeless citizens. A few months later, the Taskforce started a year-round "Next Step" house for sober men. The Taskforce is currently leasing the five-bedroom house they wish to buy.
Members of the Taskforce — over 200 volunteers representing many congregations in Plymouth — recently completed the fourth winter of the Overnights of Hospitality program. This cold-weather plan provides homeless men with hot meals and warm beds, a week at a time, in facilities of Christ Episcopal Church, Zion Lutheran Church, Beth Jacob Synagogue, First Parish Church UUA, Church of the Pilgrimage UCC, St Mary Cathlic Church and First Baptist Church. Volunteer chaperones, supper chefs and laundry helpers also represent New Testament Church, Second Congregational Church in Manomet, Holy Family Church of Duxbury and Parish of St. Peter.

Volunteer appreciation breakfast: delicious!

At left: Board member David Tassinari mixes pancake batter.
Over 75 Taskforce volunteers and supporters enjoyed scrambled eggs prepared under supervision of board member Jack Ryan at the annual "Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast." The event was held April 12 at Loring Hall of Zion Lutheran Church, one of the congregations that founded the Taskforce for the Homeless four years ago.
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of recognition awards to more than 50 volunteers for special contributions to the Overnights of Hospitality's recently concluded cold-weather relief program.
Board President Connie Melahoures gave a report updating the work being accomplished by the Taskforce, especially the expansion of the "Home and Healthy for Good" program that has found and funded apartments for a half-dozen chronically homeless men who are now receiving support services as well. She also presented statistics documenting the four years of the Overnights program, which now is served by a cadre of nearly 250 volunteers.

Overnights stats