CEC Outreach News: December 4, 2020
Parishioners Respond as the Virtual Angel Tree Drive Continues through Dec. 11th
We’re almost midway through the timeline of this year’s Angel Tree drive, as the Outreach Commission invites you to collect toys and clothing before Christmas to complete gift “packages” for young angels. We are focusing our support on children ages 10 to 12 to meet a need identified by The Salvation Army. Since we are not physically in church together, our Angel Tree has gone online. And so far, nearly half of the items on our angels’ wish lists have been promised. (For those who prefer to go totally virtual, please skip to the “Hands Off” section below.) Instead of taking a tag with a child’s name and suggested gifts as in the past, you can sign up as follows:
- Click here to choose an angel. A child’s complete package includes (3) toys and (2) clothing/shoes gifts (such as one outfit and a coat).
- You may sign up for as many — or as few — angels/gifts as you want. You will receive an email notification regarding each angel and gift you have selected.
- When you are ready to drop off gifts, please place them — unwrapped — inside a plastic bag and tie a tag or label on it that clearly states the name and identifying number of the angel. You may put multiple gifts for the same angel in one bag. Put gifts for a different angel(s) in separate bags.
- The bags can be dropped off in a marked bin at the church just inside the Parish Hall door until 2 p.m. on every weekday through Friday, December 11th. Please call the church office (410) 381-9365 to let them know when you are coming (same day is fine). The last day to drop off gifts is Friday, December 11th.
Staying safe by keeping “Hands Off:” If you would like to participate, but want to do everything (shopping and delivery) online, you may do so directly on The Salvation Army web page. Go to www.angeltreemd.org and click on the red bar that says “Adopt an Angel.” Go to Ellicott City (Howard County) and click on “Adopt an Angel” to choose an angel, order gifts online and have delivery made to the Howard County Angel Tree warehouse. Delivery instructions for Amazon should pop up automatically but you can also access them using this link. Please tell us via emailing outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org so that we can keep track of how many children Christ Church supports this year.
Through either method, we will lift the hearts not only of the angels but of their families. Parents obtain the unwrapped gifts from The Salvation Army to prepare for a Christmas that will be much brighter than they could otherwise afford. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Melanie Yaksich at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
Friends of Sabina To Share 2021 Plans during Online Fundraiser - Dec. 10th
For more than a decade, Christ Church has backed efforts to educate students at Sabina Primary School and to strengthen the surrounding community in a part of rural Uganda that is now known as the Kyotera District. The Outreach Commission earlier this year encouraged parishioners to begin sponsoring Sabina students whose families otherwise cannot afford fees and tuition. Christ Church members stepped forward to sponsor eight children, ranging in age from 8 to 15. Anyone who may be interested in exploring that option yourself is invited to email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
Due to the nation’s pandemic restrictions, only the eldest students have been permitted to return to class, but there are expectations that additional grades will be cleared to return in January. What a surprise that may await them! Construction has begun on a new kitchen complex and learning center, which is the subject of the upcoming online fundraiser to be conducted by the nonprofit, Friends of Sabina (FOS). Go to its website for instructions on viewing this, their inaugural fundraiser, to be held from 8:00 to 8:30 p.m. EST on December 10th.
“By stepping out on faith, we built the foundation of our vision to renew and support the Sabina School,” said the FOS leaders. “Through generous donations and additional funding, we raised the walls and brought hope to the community. Our goal is to complete the complex by the start of the new school year in January, which will impact so many lives through nourishment of the body and mind.”
Springfield Hospital Christmas Gifts
We will once again be collecting Christmas gifts for our friends at Springfield Hospital. This has been a particularly difficult year for them, as they have been unable to have visits due to the pandemic. Though we haven’t been able to make our usual visits, we will be gathering gifts for them to bring a little Christmas Joy. If you would like to contribute, we have placed a large container in the Tower Room to accept your unwrapped donations, before December 14th. If that’s inconvenient, please contact Cathy Gold and we will find a way - heycathy@verizon.net.
For anyone who has suggestions about ways to help the community, would like to get involved, or if you need any assistance, please email Christ Church Outreach at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Your help is greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.