Learn about COB and it's Mission

COB MISSION STATEMENT
To reach out to the Southern Lehigh and neighboring communities through a yearly fundraiser for a recipient(s) who is/are in medical need of monetary support. We pledge to keep our overhead to a minimum.

.COB History
Community Outreach Benefit is
Outreach to the Community
Through St. John's UCC, the Community Outreach Benefit project began ten years ago when a group of parishioners set out to raise money for a member of the congregation who was plagued by extraordinary medical expenses. In that first year the benefit raised $8200 for that family.

Since that time we have hosted the COB Benefit Block Party each year and have expanded our search for those in need throughout the community.
The Community Outreach Benefit (COB) is dedicated to a mission of providing financial assistance for members of our community and beyond who are struggling with exceptional medical expenses as a result of serious and sometimes life-threatening medical conditions.

Today we have a large organizational team from many area churches and over 300 active volunteers from throughout the Southern Lehigh and surrounding areas.. We have raised 333,502.00 for local people in need of assistance with devastating medical expenses since our inception.

The benefit is a wonderful entertaining day rooted in old-fashioned community spirit. It's not only an impressive fund-raiser but a step forward in bringing people together for a common goal and enriching values through a true "family entertainment experience". It is wholesome fun that promotes spending quality time together and involving every generation.

The benefit is held annually on the last Sunday in July from 1 PM to 7 PM and admission is always FREE.
(July 31, 2011)
There are games, auctions, raffles, bingo, a calk walk, juried artist displays, our chinese and special live auctian, and our own signature food along with an open grill barbecue. One of the highlights is our hourly professional entertainment appropriate for all audiences.

A shuttle service is available to and from key areas in Coopersburg. (Coopersburg Village Center & The Masonic Lodge, Charles Street in Coopersburg)

Ageless . Boundless . Unselfish
COB is an outgrowth of a fundraising effort which began in 2002 with the generosity and commitment of members of St. John's United Church of Christ in Coopersburg, PA. Church members worked diligently to raise money for a fellow church member who was seriously ill and in dire financial condition due to the cumulative medical expenses that accompanied that illness. Through their efforts, $8200.00 was raised and given to the family. Out of that effort Community Outreach Benefit was born, and has to date raised $330,502.00 for more and more families each year.|

About St. John's Church
St. John’s was founded in 1890 as part of the German Reformed Church in America and today is part of the United Church of Christ. We have a rich heritage that includes some notable firsts: the ordination of the first African-American, Lemuel Haynes in 1785; the ordination of the first woman, Antoinette Brown, in 1853; the first overseas mission program, in 1814. What brought the various strands of the United Church of Christ together in 1957 was the common understanding that God calls us to mission in the world. We are a proud part of that tradition
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Over the years, St. John’s has expressed this commitment of mission to the world in a number of ways. Our church has
helped found and support such institutions as Bethany Children’s Home, Phoebe Ministries, serving the aged, and
Cedar Crest College. When the Lehigh County Conference of Churches expanded beyond Allentown, our church was one of the first to join. Each month, for 25 years, a crew of volunteers from St. John’s has provided a meal at the Allentown

Ecumenical Soup Kitchen. In the 1960’s, St. John’s hosted the “Hang-Up”, for youth in the community. In cooperation with other local churches we have sponsored refugees and raised funds for Church World Service through CROP walks. Since 1988, we have provided space to the Lehigh County Area Aging for a Senior Center, which is open year-round Monday – Friday from 9:30 – 1:30. We host several Girl Scout troops. Our Community Outreach Benefit continues that tradition of service. For or more information about St. John's visitwww.stjohnsucccoop.org

Together We Make A Difference
The COB Block Party happens each year on the last Sunday in July.. From just a handful of volunteers to now a formidable force of hundreds, the Block Party planning and preparation is a continuing effort that begins before the last snow and continues right up to the day of the event.

From our community partners, businesses, entertainers, and individual families,to the outstanding volunteer's effort, it is a "together-we-can" effort that is amazing to watch, and gratifying in its success.
For the past 10 years, our COB Block Party has continued to grow. Each year we are able to assist more community families and provide them with the much needed financial relief they need to lift their spirits and the financial burden of excessive medical expenses.
The commitment, hard work, and willingness to reach out to those in need is the core principal that punctuates this successful and altruistic event.

We look forward to a successful 2011 event, and hope you will join us in our pursuit of touching lives.

We welcome donations of food, tents, and services needed to make our event successful. We also welcome in-kind donations of merchandise to be used in our raffles.

ALL proceeds go to our recipients directly. There are no paid COB team members. We are proud to share that 91.4% of monies raised go to our recipients. You can make a donation right here or by sending your donation to:
COB . 538 Thomas Street . Coopersburg, PA 18036