Volunteer opportunities abound at St. George. Feel free to contact any one of our community groups for information regarding their efforts. You may join a group as a member or just volunteer on a favorite project. See below for projects that are always looking for supplies or volunteers: Philoptochos - Contact person, Jeane Savas Please view the Philoptochos Calendar for current events and opportunities. St. George Pontiac After School Program - Contact person, Dena Hodgson This year's program will be directed once again by Ms. J. We will be planning the year's program during the month of November. Our program this year is scheduled to start in January. Many schools are closing in Pontiac, including Crofoot Elementary. Our current principle, Ms. Fitzpatrick has requested that Ms. J. bring our program to Jefferson Elementary. Ms. Fitzpatrick is the principal for K - 3rd grade and would like us to offer a story time reading program for the children. If you are interested in reading one of the books in our series to the children, please contact Dena Hodgson at the link below. Besides volunteering your time, we are looking for donations of supplies, snacks or money. Outside of supplies, our only other expense is Ms. J's time. Ms. J is paid a very modest fee when working with the kids. Her donated time far outways her compensation. The more funds we are able to collect, the more opportunities we can offer and hopefully to more kids. History of our Program This program was also known as the Crofoot Gifted and Talented program at Crofoot Elementary in Pontiac. For the past two years this program has run successfully at Crofoot Elementary, giving a group of 10 - 15 gifted students the ability to be involved in enrichment programs, learn leadership skills and get a glimpse of life outside of their surroundings. Two years ago our program was directed by Bonnie Hampton. The kids were able to take a field trip to the Southfield center to see the play King Tut, put on their own "Coffee House" poetry presentation for the public, learned cooking skills and studied the science of cooking thanks to Georgiann Omond, planted and learned about herbs thanks to Presvytera Sanday, had art lessons and made beautiful mosaic tile pieces thanks to Lisa Wigent, learned about Karate thanks to Theodora Pardales and trained at a basketball camp with Clarkston High School varsity players thanks to Coach Fife at Clarkston High School, explored many different careers, learned about manners and self respect. The year was a huge success and the kids really missed Bonnie when her preschool program was moved out of the Crofoot building. Last year, our program was run by Raquel Welch-Jackson, "Ms. J". Ms. Jackson brought an exceptional sense of professionalism to the group. They studied foreign countries, cooking and ettiquette, arts and crafts and poetry. Their poetry presentation this year was teamed with Crofoot's Family Reading Night which was a huge success. After working with Rep. Tim Melton's office we were able to obtain a new computer lab for the kids. For this year's field trip, the kids visited Oakland Community College's Orchard Ridge Campus and dined at the Reflections Cafe thanks to Athena Bolger and Julie Jurmo. Thank you Athena for a wonderful experience for the kids! The five star treatment and gourmet offerings were the perfect place for the kids to experience new foods and practice their ettiquette. The tour of the school and discussion, hosted by Julie Jurmo was a huge success in igniting an interest in college. Each child took home a school planner, reading materials and momentos. The children were very excited and appreciative of the experience provided by all involved. If you have any questions, contact Dena Hodgson.