The Appalachian Twinning Ministry (ATM) strives to support low income and poverty level families in Southwest Virginia, helping them meet basic needs. Our nutritional focus helps families who struggle to feed their primary school age children. We collaborate and support food banks and the Backpack Programs in Tazewell and Buchanan Counties.
 

A heartfelt THANK YOU to Michaelonians for your continued generosity to our Appalachian brothers and sisters.  You donated $2,500 in cash and gift cards to support the free clinic (RAM) in Grundy and to replenish the food pantries served by Holy Family Parish.  You also donated 150 blankets which were distributed to RAM clients.  

Eleven Michaelonians volunteered their time serving the clients at RAM the weekend of October 6-7.  These volunteers included:  Jim Adler, Joy Elliott, Allyson Elliott, Lori Forbes, Kathleen Joyce, Tom Kane, Mark Law, Nora Newell, Paul and Kathy Smith, and Dona Whitehead.  

Thanks to Brian Schmid and his sons, Zach and Zane, as well as Taff Bloom, who delivered the blankets to the clinic.  

Thanks to RAM/Food Drive table volunteers:  Jeanne Breitbach, Gina Borsh, Joy Elliott, Kathleen Joyce, Nora Newell and Beth Yeakel.

Several members of St. Michael's ATM Committee attended the Holy Family Parish Picnic this past weekend.

ATM Member Tom reports:  

 We had a Brilliant weekend!  We visited the Youth Venture Center in Richlands, Va., who we've worked with through St. Mary's in the past. (See photos in the ATM Photo Album to your right.) They have quite an impressive facility, including a radio broadcast booth, art room, indoor in-line skate park, computer/technology room and more.  We met with the Executive Director, a couple of Board Members, staff and some of the kids who had come in to have a good time Saturday morning.

Holy Family's picnic was billed as "Mass on the Grass" held at a local park at noon followed by a few hours of a lunch with great food & grilling burgers and such; then various picnic activities for young and old(er) alike.

Mass on the Grass became (my phrase) "Praying While it's Raining" as we had heavy rain leading up to and including noon mass. We were fortunate to have a large shelter area with tables and chairs to hold mass even though it was raining.  The rain ended and a good time was had by all.
 

A – St. Joseph’s Mission - Grundy, VA                B – St. Mary’s - Richlands, VA

C – St. Theresa’s - Tazewell, VA                         D – St. Elizabeth’s - Pocahontas, VA