By Laura Mazur
Community Post
Many people in the area give back to others in their local area.

The St. Augustine Catholic Church Mission Commission is one of these. The group recently bought a number of items and donated them to Heritage Manor Nursing Center for residents’ use.
“We always feel like we want to support the community and the elderly are an important part of it,” said Eileen Riethman, president of the Mission Commission.
With regular support given to the center, the group is familiar with the work that staff and volunteers do, as well as the needs of residents. The group recently decided to ask the center for a wish list of things residents could use.
“Many of our volunteers are members of the Mission Commission and I think they saw the need and wanted to respond. One of the volunteers said she thought it was good to give back to members of the community,” said Ann Miller, director of activities and the Renaissance Unit at the center.
Recent donations from the group included a flat screen TV for the Dementia Unit, patio furniture, a blender, a Wii game system and money donations for three residents without money or family and had various clothing needs.
“On behalf of the residents of Heritage Manor, I do appreciate the generosity. When they asked us to come up with some ideas of things the residents could use or enjoy, I had no idea they would fulfill all of the ideas. I believe they truly know the meaning of sharing and giving,” added Miller.
Various groups are generous in regard to the needs of Heritage Manor residents. The Minster Journeymen, for example, donate money for entertainment programs for each spring. In addition, families of residents also donate to the entertainment fund or to the activities department in general in memory of a loved one.
The Mission Commission also supports Heritage Manor by providing fruit prizes for bingo games and cake each month for the center’s monthly birthday party.
“They are very appreciative and it’s something we’re happy to do,” said Riethman.
The Mission Commission gives back to the community by others giving back. Upcoming July 21-23 will be the group’s annual fundraiser, a garage sale, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, in Minster. And for the first time, the group will also be selling a cookbook, “The Best of the Best,” during the sale to add to funds.
A variety of causes in the area are supported by Mission Commission funds and volunteering. They include Agape Ministries; Auglaize County Crisis Center; Auglaize County Visiting Nurses; Catholic Social Services; Crystal Manor; Formation House; Good Shepard Ministries; Shrine of the Holy Relics and the Spiritual Center of Maria Stein; Mudpike Home; The Neurological Center; St. Vincent DePaul and the Sidney Soup Kitchen. The Mission Commission also provides for St. Augustine Catholic Church religious education, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, eighth grade graduation and students at Christmas.
Giving groceries and other needed items to those with hardship in the area and visiting shut-ins at Easter and Christmas, the Mission Commission gives to many in need.
With 76 members strong, the group also provides rosary supplies to the church’s rosary making group to send out through Right to Life, as well as the group holds an angel program to give to families in need at Christmas and pays for postage to send care packages to military personnel.
Riethman said she is thankful for the hard workers the group has, always willing to put in time to help out others.