In lieu of buying flowers to decorate the sanctuary, this year we are asking people to donate to our two Advent Mission Projects. Monetary donations will go to Week of Compassion. As the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Week of Compassion works with partners to alleviate suffering throughout the world.
We will also be collecting items for Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries. The Mission of Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries is to teach the love of Jesus Christ by building a renewed sense of wholeness and dignity and by standing with those who are broken, especially among refugees and those who are disenfranchised and displaced. The Good News of salvation is lived out by addressing spiritual and material needs, including emergency shelter and food, clothing, transportation, legal aid, advocacy and job referral through a cooperative effort with other agencies and religious organizations.
Travel-size for hygiene kits
- combs and brushes (men’s and women’s)
- men’s razors/shave cream
- Kleenex and white men’s handkerchiefs (bulk purchase)
- medium-sized (not variety packs) Band-Aids
- men’s (untinted) and women’s (tinted) lip balm
- backpacks [no string packs, must hold clothing, small cover, food, paperwork,
- water bottle, hygiene kit, and diapers (if needed) for two days of travel]
Clean clothing, new or gently used:
- jackets (zip up hoodies) and coats, S-M-L men’s and women’s (many people are headed ‘up north’)
- children’s jackets, sized 2-14, boys and girls
- t-shirts (short- and long-sleeved) all ages, Men’s S-M-L, Women’s XS-S-M-L
- jeans: boys/men 24-34 waist
- girl’s and women’s leggings, mostly S/M, a few L/XL [to fit over detention release ankle bracelets]
- One-size knit hats, scarves, gloves, adults and children
- new only underwear S-M-L (no XL+), Men, Women, & Children
- mid-calf or tube socks, Men’s S-M (no L+) (bulk purchase at 12 pair for $5.99)
- stretch belts for boys/men, 26-34 waist (bulk purchase, 80 per week)
- shoe strings, black, brown, or white (bulk purchase: 120 pair a week)
Other:
toddler and children picture books, beginning English words, Spanish-English dictionaries, journals, word finds in Spanish (or simple English), maps of US, all-ages coloring books, pre-sharpened pencils, working pens, pre-sharpened 8-color pencils (please, no crayons), small toys with no loose parts- vehicles, stuffed animals, cuddlies for babies (be sure to clean/disinfect before donating)
Dollar store ‘finds’ are great, but so are gently-used and out-grown items.
Local families love the toys, games, clothing, kitchen and household goods (like crock pots and clock radios), small rugs, comforters, towels, clock radios, and decorations you send. We do not have anyone to do repairs to clothes or household goods. Gently used running shoes are a treasure for teens.
