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Elder Community Service – Service Programs

SERVICE PROGRAMS

PERIODIC PROGRAMS

SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE (VARIOUS DATES)

SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE

Elder Serves is excited to work with Sleep In Heavenly Peace – Cincinnati OH Chapter (www.shpcincy.org) to help build and deliver beds to kids in need.   Several times each month, we will be either building or delivering beds.  The deliveries will be to some of the many kids on SHP Cincy’s wait list.

BED DELIVERIES
Deliveries will take place immediately after school and space is limited to a few students per delivery.

BED BUILDING 
Bed building sessions will take place afterschool and during flex, and we will have room for approximately 12 students for each build session.

REGISTRATION
Email Mr. Forman if you would like to sign up for a bed delivery or bed building session.

PHOTOS
CLICK HERE for photos from SHP Elder Deliveries.

ELDER SERVES CROSS MINISTRY (VARIOUS DATES)

ELDER SERVES CROSS MINISTRY

 

OUR MISSION
The mission of Elder Serves Cross Ministry is to spread our faith in Jesus Christ through the making and distribution of small wooden crosses.  We provide FREE HANDMADE CROSSES to anyone who asks.

WHAT WE DO
Elder students come together to build small wooden crosses in the form of necklaces and simple wood crosses.  These crosses are available to anyone who would like them – free of charge.

HISTORY
Elder’s Cross Ministry was inspired by the work of two men – former Elder teacher Mark Klusman and an Iowa pastor named Mr. Bill Evans.

In 1978, Elder teacher Mr. Mark Klusman gave each student in his Geography class a small wooden cross.  Mr. Forman was a student in Mr. Klusman’s class and was impacted by this small token of our faith. He still has this cross in his possession today.

In 2011, Mr. Bill Evans of Davenport, Iowa, began the 2nd Chance Cross Ministry to give old, unusable wood a “second chance” by turning transform this discarded lumber into small crosses.  Mr. Evans would then send these crosses, at no cost, to whoever requested them.  Over the years, Mr. Forman became friends with Mr. Evans and requested and received several thousand wooden cross necklaces for his students.  In June 2018, Mr. Evans’ ministry ended when he passed away (obituary) after impacting many thousands of lives through his small creation of a cross.

CONTINUING THE MISSION
At Elder High School we continue Mr. Evan’s mission and honor Mr. Klusman’s memory and gift of crosses to his students.  The production of crosses includes acquiring scrap hardwood, planing the wood to proper thickness, cutting and routing the pieces, gluing, drilling, and assembling necklaces.

If you would like some cross necklaces or plain wooden crosses please click the button below.  We will be happy to provide them to you at no charge.

SUPPORT OUR WORK
If you would like to support our ministry, consider making a modest donation. Funds will pay for string, beads, envelopes, and postage.    You can make a donation via credit card by calling Amy Iori at 513.921.3422.  If you’d prefer to send a check, it can be made payable to Elder High School Cross Ministry and mailed to: Todd Forman, Elder HS, 3900 Vincent Avenue, Cincinnati OH 45205.  Thanks!

CROSS ASSEMBLY SESSIONS
Email Mr. Forman (formantt@elderhs.net) if you would like to help.

ELDER SERVES STREET TEAM (VARIOUS DATES)

ELDER SERVES STREET TEAM
LOCATION: Streets around Elder

ABOUT
Help us beautify our neighborhood by cleaning up litter found on the neighboring streets around Elder.  Volunteers will carry a grabber and bucket to try to accumulate the most trash.  Meet outside of Mr. Forman’s office (Room 111) on clean up days.  Volunteers will get 1.5 hours of service for helping out. Here are some PHOTOS.

WESTERN WILDLIFE CORRIDOR (VARIOUS DATES)

WESTERN WILDLIFE CORRIDOR
LEADERS: TBA
LOCATION: Various greenspaces managed by WWC

ABOUT
Since 1992, Western Wildlife Corridor has been focused on protecting natural greenspace in and near the Ohio River valley between Cincinnati  and the Indiana border to the west. We do this for a lot of reasons; to protect and preserve habitat for local flora and fauna, to provide opportunities for people to access nature, and to offset and balance the environmental impacts and effects of development around us.  WWC now protects over 400 acres of natural habitat.  Volunteers are needed to build and maintain trails, remove invasive species, and other fun outdoor wildlife restoration projects.

PHOTOS
CLICK HERE for photos from WWC.

ONE-TIME EVENTS

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL COAT DISTRIBUTION (NOV 7 & 8)

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL COAT DISTRIBUTION
LOCATION: Elder High School – Schaeper Center
DATE: Nov 7 from  2:30 – 3:30 PM | Nov 8 from 8 AM – Noon

ABOUT
Help our neighbors in need get a warm winter coat at SVDP’s Coat Distribution event, conveniently located at Elder HS.  Volunteers are need on the Friday session to help set up the coats, and others are needed on Saturday session to help distribute the coats. Friday after school is event Set Up and Saturday is Coat Distribution.

PEOPLE WORKING COOPERATIVELY PREPARE AFFAIR (NOV 15)

PEOPLE WORKING COOPERATIVELY
LOCATION: 4612 Paddock Road 45229

ABOUT
This year we will be doing multiple projects with People Working Cooperatively.  PWC performs critical home repairs and services so that low-income homeowners can remain in their homes living independently and healthier in a safe, sound environment.

PREPARE AFFAIR
Prepare Affair is a volunteer event that brings together more than 2,000 volunteers to help low-income, elderly and disabled homeowners prepare their homes for winter. One of the largest volunteer events in the tri-state, Prepare Affair crews will perform winter preparation activities that will make a huge difference for elderly homeowners with physical limitations.  Services range from raking leaves and cleaning gutters to other small winter preparation tasks.

PHOTOS
CLICK HERE for Prepare Affair photos.

TURKEY FRY - SPIRITUAL BOOSTERS (NOV 26)

THANK YOU to Doug Jaeger, Tom Aug, Terry McLaughlin, Patrick Tucker, Al Kovacic, and the many dads and sons who participated in the 2024 Turkey Fry!  Because of their generosity, 55 families in Price Hill enjoyed a delicious turkey dinner this Thanksgiving!   Click HERE for photos, and HERE for WCPO-Channel 9’s segment.

WHO ARE THE SPIRITUAL BOOSTERS?
The Boosters are a group of men dedicated to the spiritual development of Elder students.  Founded in 2004, we are men of faith, some Elder graduates and some are not.  We exist to assist the faculty in the spiritual development of the students through evenings of reflection, service projects and retreats.

THE HISTORY OF THE TURKEY FRY
The Turkey Fry began in 2009 feeding 25 families through the Holy Family School and Food Pantry.  It has expanded in recent years to include families from the Romero Academy (former Resurrection School) for a total of 55 meals each year.  Since the beginning, Elder students and their fathers/mentors have prepared over 750 Thanksgiving Dinners for Price Hill families.  Families have enjoyed meals of deep fried turkeys, cranberry sauce, breadsticks, canned vegetables, and pumpkin pies which are delivered by the students and fathers/mentors to their homes.

TURKEY FRY 2025 DETAILS
The Spiritual Boosters are recruiting 16 student-father/mentor pairs to help prepare and deliver the turkey dinners on Wednesday, November 26. There will be multiple shifts throughout the day – SHIFT 1: 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM | SHIFT 2: 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM | SHIFT 3: 2:00 – 5:30 PM.  You will be able to indicate which shifts work for you on the registration form.

In order to participate in the event, students and their fathers/mentors must attend a meeting and prayer service on Tuesday, November 25 at 5:00 PM in the Elder Chapel.  Following the meeting and prayer service, we will need 4 of these student-father/mentor pairs to help in the kitchen to prepare some pumpkin pies for the dinners. Participation in both the meeting/prayer service and the Turkey Fry are required for this event. 

WHO IS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE?
The Turkey Fry opportunity is first opened to Freshmen students and their father/mentor.  If we any openings after November 10, we will open spots up to other father-son/mentor-son pairs that have not previously participated.

HOW DO WE REGISTER?
Contact Todd Forman (formantt@elderhs.org) if interested.

QUESTIONS?
You can direct all Turkey Fry questions to Doug Jaeger (doug.jaeger@geaerospace.com) or Tom Aug (tom@mydevelopmentpartners.com).

Thank you!

The Turkey Fry Team

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL TOY DRIVE & TOY SHOP (DEC 12 & 13)

Elder High School is excited to be hosting its annual Toy Drive and Toy Shop to serve needy families in Price Hill.  Many volunteers are needed to make this event a success – from bringing in toys to helping the week of the event and during the event itself!

HISTORY
The Elder Toy Shop was started in the 1980’s by Mrs. Liz Witte, an Elder mom.  Mrs. Witte believed that all kids should have some toys to open on Christmas day and she decided to do something about it.   For many years while her sons were at Elder, Mrs. Witte would coordinate the collection of food and toys to be distributed to needy families in Over-The-Rhine.  As the years went and her sons graduated, the reins were passed to her son Pete Witte who still supports the event to this day.  As the demographics of our city changed, the Toy Shop changed to serve primarily our Price Hill neighbors in need.  We are pleased to be able to honor Mrs. Witte’s legacy as we prepare for Toy Shop this year.  CLICK HERE for a Price Hill Press article from 2011.

TOY SHOP 2025
We are excited to partner with St. Vincent de Paul once again this year and be a part of their Christmas Together programs.   SVDP has a long history of serving neighbors in need in Cincinnati (and around the world), and they have hosted successful Toy Shops for many years, helping neighbors in need who request assistance during the Holiday season.  Even though we are working with SVDP this year, the neighbors who will be shopping at Elder’s Toy Shop reside in the Price Hill area – so we are truly helping our neighbors in need again this year.  NOTE: All families invited to our shop will have been notified by St. Vincent de Paul.  Unfortunately we are NOT able to accept walkups.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers are needed for the Toy Shop Setup on Friday, Dec 12 and the Toy Shop on Saturday, Dec 13.  Official sign up will take place in November but email Todd Forman (formantt@elderhs.net) if you’d like to reserve a spot.

MOTHER/SON SERVICE DAY (DATE TBA)

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED!

FATHER/SON SERVICE DAY (DATE TBA)

THANKS TO ALL OF OUR STUDENT AND PARENT VOLUNTEERS!

COMMUNITY EVENTS

CHRISTMAS FLYER DISTRIBUTION - RICH MACK '87 (DEC)

CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE FLYER DISTRIBUTION
LEADER: Mr. Rich Mack ’87

ABOUT
Elder grad Mr. Rich Mack ’87 is looking for some volunteers for a great Christmas project. For the past 6 years, Mr. Mack hosts a Toy Drive for the kids who are served by Child Focus, a terrific non-profit organization in Cincinnati.  Mr. Mack passes out fliers with drive information to four different neighborhoods asking for toy donations. The toys are then collected and presented to Child Focus.

He needs 12 hard-working Elder men to help distribute the flyers door-to-door.   Volunteers will meet at 3943 Durango Green Drive where you will be assigned neighborhoods and receive basic instructions.  Adult volunteers will also be present to assist with transportation if needed.

Here are the neighborhoods where the collections are taking place:

  • Durango Green/Aston Oaks combined neighborhoods (off Bridgetown Road)
  • Legendary Run (off Bridgetown Road)
  • Pickway/Buckridge combined neighborhood (off South Road)
  • Quail Run Farm (off Ebenezer Road)

REGISTER
Email Mr. Mack at rpmack1969@gmail.com to let him know you are interested, and which neighborhood interests you most.

PRICE HILL WILL - COMMUNITY CLEAN UP (DATES TBA)

PRICE HILL WILL CLEAN-UP DAY
LEADER: Mr. Roger Auer (former Elder teacher)
LOCATION: Meet at Elder in front of the Schaeper Center

ABOUT
Several times a year, former Elder teacher and Price Hill Will Board Member Mr. Roger Auer needs volunteers to help clean up our neighboring communities in preparation for the Price Hill parade.  Volunteers will meet at Elder in front the Schaeper Center and either walk or be transported to various locations.  Gloves, vests, other safety gear and pickup sticks will be provided.

MISSION TRIPS

LOUISA KY MISSION TRIP (FALL/SPRING)

LOCATION: Fr. Beiting Appalachian Mission Center
RECENT PHOTOS: CLICK HERE
FALL 2025: Sept. 16 – 20
COST: No Charge

Elder students are invited to participate in the very special Appalachian outreach trip (MAP).  This is a mission trip/retreat experience where students will do volunteer work each day through the Mission Center.  Each evening participants live in community where they prepare and share meals together, discuss and reflect on their experiences, and end the evening in shared prayer.

MORE INFORMATION
Visit https://www.fbamc-ky.org/ for more information and contact Mrs. Jen Lanter (lanterjd@elderhs.net) if you have any questions.

PHOTOS
CLICK HERE for photos from previous trips.

INTERESTED?
CLICK HERE for trip application.

MEXICO MISSION TRIP (SUMMER)

SUMMER 2026 TRIP INFO COMING DEC 2025

LOCATION: Solferino/Quintana Roo, Mexico (just outside Cancun)
SUMMER 2026:  JUNE 8 – 15
COST: $1400 (2025 cost)

Elder High School is excited to offer a summer mission trip to Solferino, Quintana Roo, Mexico (just outside Cancun – MAP),  June 10 – 16, 2025. This service trip will allow students to explore a new culture while completing service projects, spending time in prayer and reflection, and spending time with members of the community we serve.

The total out-of-pocket cost for this mission trip is $1400 (2025 cost) per student. The cost is all-inclusive, covering all travel, meals, mission activities, sightseeing, and transportation.

Summer 2025 Itinerary

  • June 10 (Tue) | Travel Day: Leave Cincinnati, arrive in Cancun Mexico, transportation to Solferino, welcome, dinner, night prayers
  • June 11 – 13 (Wed, Thu, Fri) | Service Days: Prayer, breakfast, mission work, lunch, community time, mass, dinner
  • June 14 (Sat) | Mass, followed by sightseeing including Chichen Itza
  • June 15 (Sun) |  Mass, followed by fun beach day
  • June 16 (Mon) | Travel Day – Breakfast, check out, transfer to airport, return to Cincinnati

CHAPERONES
Fr. Andrew Gronote, Religion teacher Mrs. Jennifer Lanter, and Spanish teacher Mrs. Mary Beth Corey will be chaperoning this trip.

PARENT MEETING
Meeting will be held the last week of February (Date TBD) when we will have better details to share regarding the mission and the service we will perform. We will also discuss fundraising during the parent meeting.

PASSPORT
If you are interested please make sure to apply for a passport for your son, passports are needed to book the flights. Passports are currently taking about a month to receive after application.

PHOTOS
CLICK HERE for photos from previous trips.

INTERESTED?
Contact Mrs. Lanter (lanterjd@elderhs.net) to indicate your interest.  To secure a spot, a $300 deposit (refundable) will be due to the main office by February 2026. Make checks payable to Elder High School and indicate it is for the Mexico Mission Trip.