Saints Simon & Jude Mission Outreach invites you to support this summer’s 2026 collection for Get on the Bus, a program that helps children visit a mother or father who is currently in prison. Through free bus transportation, children and their guardians are able to travel long distances for a day of connection, healing, and hope with their incarcerated parent—often after years apart.

This year, Saints Simon & Jude will help support more than 80 children traveling to Corcoran, California, on July 24. Parishioners are invited to take part by donating new items that will help make the journey meaningful and comforting for the children and families participating.

Donations may be brought to the Mission Outreach table in Mondor Plaza after all Masses on June 27 and 28, or dropped off at the Parish Office by Tuesday, July 7. Items needed include stuffed teddy bears, fleece or microfiber blankets, family games and activities, snacks, stay-connected kits, and monetary donations. Thank you for helping our parish extend compassion, encouragement, and love to children and families separated by incarceration.

Items Needed for Get on the Bus
New items only, please.

Stuffed Teddy Bears
10″ to 12″ teddy bears

Blankets
Fleece or microfiber blankets, no larger than 50″ x 60″

Family Bonding Games & Activities
Connect 4 games, Candy Land games, Quirkle board games, Mindful Talk by School of Mindfulness, hypoallergenic face paints, 8×10 canvas boards, and quick-dry tempera paints

Delicious Snacks
Capri Sun drinks, boxed apple juice, water in plastic bottles, single-serving packages of Goldfish, Cheez-Its, chips, Teddy Grahams, or cookies, fruit rolls, and granola bars with no nuts

Stay-Connected Kits
Forever stamps, books or sheets of 20, plain 8.5″ x 11″ stationery sheets with envelopes, blank simple greeting cards, pens and pencils, and 4×6 paper photo frames

Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated.

You can also order items from the Amazon Wish List and have them delivered to Saints Simon & Jude: CLICK HERE to order form the Amazon Wish List.