Azalea Charities and Wegmans
support the House of Mercy
“Mercy is a verb.” This phrase sums up the faith-in-action philosophy of Kellie Ross, Executive Director of the Missionaries of Our Lady of Divine Mercy. This organization operates the House of Mercy, described by Ross as “a Catholic faith-based ministry that brings the church to the people” by providing food and clothing to those in hardship in our community and to other areas in need.
In late July, Frank Lasch, Chairman & Founder of Azalea Charities, and Frank Chichka, Azalea Charities’ Board Member, teamed up with Wegmans in Lake Manassas to present the House of Mercy with Wegmans’ gift cards worth $2,100, as well as a check for $2,000. The two Franks joined Kellie, her son, Jake Ross, Diane Cushman, Wegmans Lake Manassas Customer Service Manager and Brien MacKendrick, Store Manager, for a check presentation and a look at Wegmans Lake Manassas, an upscale retail center that opened at the Shoppes at Stonewall Center in Gainesville, VA on November 2nd, 2008.
After the presentation, the Azalea Charities group visited the new 8600 square foot facility on Wellington Road in Gainesville that will be the new home of the House of Mercy beginning in early October, 2010. Walking through rooms roughly outlined in unfinished drywall, a person can see the vision of what this facility will become and imagine what it will mean to people in need in our local area.
In a large central space, one can envision scores of volunteers packing meals to help the hungry in our community. The facility will offer a thrift store, store, spiritual and educational formation classes, food pantry and programs for children. Each room incorporates a theme that reflects a spiritual as well as a functional aspect of the space. For example, an indoor grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes provides a space to contemplate and feel a sense of peace inspired by the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mother Theresa’s kitchen is a place to sit and have a cup of coffee and share life together. A prayer tree allows anyone to place their petitions on a piece of paper on the tree and enjoy the prayer support of others in the community. The House of Mercy is open to everyone. As Ross says, “Even those who don’t qualify for financial assistance will receive something. Sometimes what people are looking for is just someone to talk to. We want people to know that they are loved by God, and He has not forgotten them”.
As Frank Lasch says, “Supporting the House of Mercy puts the resources of Azalea Charities into the hands of those who need it the most,” said Lasch, “In keeping with our mission of supporting local community charities, we are able to extend our support to people in the Gainesville / Haymarket areas.”