Our Missions:  Loving Hearts in Action

• Dress a Girl Around the World Appalachia dresses need to be completed by June 23

• Children’s Home Society of WV items for this year collected by June 23

• Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes—even if we do a smaller number in order to concentrate on more local needs, items need to be collected by October 31

• Salvation Army stocking items collected by November 28

• Making kits for pillow cases and laundry bags and then completing those kits will be an ongoing need.  We can store these items at church as needed.

• Missions Email List                                                                                                                                                                                              Sometimes I send emails about missions to the whole congregation and sometimes to my Mission Ladies list.  Contact Nancy Estler if you want to be added to that list.                                                                                                                                                                            mamaearth1@aol.com

• 365 Days of Christmas                                                                                                                                                                                                       In addition to our many other mission projects, last year we filled 82 shoeboxes and 80  stockings, as well as making a very generous donation of items to the Children’s Home all at Christmas time.  It takes a lot of items to accomplish that.  Approximately 150 books, boxes of crayons, coloring books, dolls, action figures, matchbox cars, and bracelets and 300 pencils and pair of socks and underwear for starters.  I am happy to keep Amazon lists updated for online shopping for these missions.  We also need help if anyone is shopping in person.  If you see a bargain, let us know!  We always need school supplies, books, socks and underwear, stuffed animals, dolls, action figures, matchbox cars and small toys for girls and boys.        I am used to shopping for items for girls.  I could use some help in finding bargains on items that boys want.

• 365 Days Jar                                                                                                                                                                                                                 There is a jar in the office for bargain shopping for our ongoing missions.  Since folks are not able to get out and shop themselves, we are happy to be your personal shoppers.  Whenever I have alerted folks to bargains I have found, they are very generous to contribute funds.   However, you never know when you will come across a great deal.  Recently I turned a $10 donation into 5 women’s hoodies for the Children’s Home!  On another trip I found 12 pair of socks for $2 each and $4 blanket/throws.  We will accept these donations all year long.  If your stimulus check has you feeling generous, contact Nancy E. or Ann S., or stop by the church office and drop something in the jar!

  • Children’s Home of WV Ongoing Mission Project                                                                                                                                           Barely a  month ago we sent pillows and pillow cases to the Children’s Home of WV.  In talking with them we learned that children in need often request a blanket of their own.  When we shared this information, the response was immediate. As I have mentioned before, I hope to make The Children’s Home an ongoing mission.  The affiliated Shelter in Ona houses 15-20 children ages 10-18 at a time.  I was prepared to suggest that we collect needed items year round with the lofty goal of sending 60 each:  pillows with cases, blankets, duffle bags and laundry bags each year, all items a child can take with them when they leave the shelter.  We can make the pillow cases and laundry bags and would ask for donations of pillows, blankets/personal size throws and duffle bags to be donated over the course of the year.  We have already collected 70 blankets, so we are good for now!  Since we had so many blankets come in so quickly, we sent another donation of items on Tuesday: 42 blankets, 19 laundry bags, 4 duffle bags, and 5 hoodies.  As well as assorted items for their neighborhood food pantry and clothing closet.  They are very grateful for our support.  In order to serve their ever changing population, we are hoping to collect  another 30 pillows and pillow cases, 43 duffle bags, and 37 laundry bags for a total of 60 this year.  Our goal is to collect the remaining items by the end of July. I have a dedicated Amazon list: Highlawn Pres Children’s Home for those who like to shop online.  I am also happy to place an order for you if you like.

 

 

Nancy Estler