Spreading Joy: 2023 Holiday Toy, Gift, and Gift Card Drive by Methodist Services

Spreading Joy: 2023 Holiday Toy, Gift, and Gift Card Drive by Methodist Services



The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and giving. It's a time when communities come together to make a positive impact on the lives of those who may be facing challenging circumstances. Methodist Services, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families in need, is once again gearing up for its annual Holiday Toy, Gift, and Gift Card Drive in 2023.

Methodist Services: A Beacon of Hope

Methodist Services is on a mission to make a positive impact on the lives of children, adults, and families who are dealing with difficult situations like limited resources, poverty, homelessness, disabilities, and educational inequities. They provide a wide range of life-enriching programs that cover early childhood education, school-age programs, housing services, family support, mental health and counseling services, and nutrition programs. Their holistic approach recognizes that every aspect of a person's life is interconnected.

The Annual Holiday Gift Drive

One of the heartwarming initiatives by Methodist Services is their annual holiday gift drive. In 2023, the organization aims to provide a special gift to each of the 1,200 children and teenagers they serve. Additionally, they plan to gift every participant in their Education, Housing, Counseling, and Care Management programs with a gift card. These gifts are not just material items; they represent a gesture of compassion and a way to bring a little bit of joy and comfort to those who are facing adversity during the holiday season.

How You Can Make a Difference

Methodist Services believes in the power of community, and they invite you to join their mission. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, can make a significant impact. Here's how you can get involved:

Donate Gifts and Gift Cards: Consider donating new and unwrapped gifts suitable for various age groups. From board books for infants to video games for high schoolers, your gifts can make children's holidays special.

Gift Cards: Families treasure gift cards from popular retailers like Target, Kohl’s, Walmart, Best Buy, and Old Navy. These cards provide flexibility and allow recipients to choose items they need or desire.

Baby Care Items: Many of the programs serve young children and families who could benefit from donations of new car seats, bouncy seats, high chairs, boxes of disposable diapers of all sizes, and other baby care items.

Gift Wrapping Supplies: Methodist Services also appreciates receiving wrapping paper, gift bags, and bows. These items make the presentation of gifts even more special.

Let's Come Together

The deadline for donations is the week of December 11th, so it's time to start thinking about how you can contribute to this wonderful cause. Your generosity can bring smiles and happiness to mothers, children, and others during the holiday season. By donating, you can help Methodist Services fulfill their mission of making children's holidays special and supporting families in need.

As we embrace the spirit of giving this holiday season, let's come together as a community and show those facing adversity that we care. Your kindness can make a world of difference in the lives of those who need it most.


Suggested Donations:

Young Children: Infants & Toddlers: Board Books, Toddler Toys, Mr. Potato Head, Peg Puzzles, Push & Ride-on Toys, Bibs, Diapers & Wipes

Pre-School: Ages 3-5 Years: Age-Appropriate Books, Mr./Ms. Potato Head, Age-Appropriate Toys, Safe Blocks, Art Supplies (Paints, Finger Paints, Markers), Playdough, Fun Foam, Kinetic Sand, Craft Supplies (Ribbon, Yarn, Fabric, etc), Trucks, Cars, Active Toys, Dolls (African American, Latino, Other), Wooden Puzzles, Dress Up Clothing & Accessories, Learning Games

Elementary School: Ages 6-10 Years: Action Figures, Legos, 30 to 50 Piece Puzzles, Age-Appropriate Books, Sports Equipment, Team Apparel, Arts & Crafts Supplies, Trucks, Train & Car Sets, Dolls (African American, Latino, etc.)

Middle School: Ages 11-14 Years: Age-appropriate books, Bi-Lingual Books and games, Arts and crafts Supplies, Science Kits, Robotic Sets, Beauty and grooming Items, Sports Equipment, Team Apparel, Jewelry, Video Games, Gaming Systems

High School: Ages 15-18 Years: Age-appropriate books, Gift Cards, Arts and crafts Supplies, Sports Equipment, Beauty and grooming Items, Jewelry, Video Games, Gaming Systems

Young Adult: Ages 18-24 Years: Pillows & Twin Comforters, Twin Bed Sheets & Mattress Protectors, Towel Sets & Washcloths, Shower Curtains & Liners, Dish Cloths, Board Games, Journals, Small Room Trash Cans, Dish Sets, Pots/Pans

Adults in Our Programs: Books, Jewelry, Beauty & Grooming Items, Personal Care Baskets, Hats, Scarves, Watches


Monetary Donation
links

This post was orignally published in the October 2023 of the Lighted Cross. Please use the links below to view the full newsletter.

Download PDF

Other Things You May Be Interested In:

Christmas, Love And Wrath

Published: December 20, 2024

Explore the Old Testament scriptures and learn how God's love is proven through his pursuit of justice for the oppressed. Discover how individuals like Noah, Moses, and Ruth were used by God to bring mercy and blessings to others, and how Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate mediator between mankind and God. Reflect on the importance of being available to show God's love to those in need.

The Surprising Message Of Grace In The Story Of Jonah

Published: November 10, 2024

Beyond the Whale: The Real Story of Jonah We've all heard the story of Jonah and the whale. It's a tale that has captivated imaginations for centuries, often reduced to a simple narrative about a man swallowed by a giant fish. But what if I told you that the whale is not the most incredible part of this story? What if there's a message of grace so profound and unexpected that it challenges our very understanding of God's love? The book of Jonah, though only four chapters long, carries a weight far beyond its size. It's a story set against a backdrop of national tragedy and bitter enmity. Imagine a prophet being sent to the heart of Nazi Germany in 1939 to proclaim God's judgment and call for repentance. That's the emotional equivalent of Jonah's mission to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria – a nation that had destroyed Israel's northern kingdom and taken its people into exile. In this context, Jonah's reluctance to go to Nineveh becomes understandable. Was it fear that drove him to flee in the opposite direction? Or was it something darker – a desire to see his enemies destroyed rather than given a chance at redemption? Whatever his reasons, Jonah boards a ship bound for Tarshish, as far from Nineveh as he could get. “But the Lord provided a large fish to swallow up Jonah; and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” – Jonah 1:17 But here's where the story takes an interesting turn. Even as Jonah flees from God's command, he still identifies himself as a follower of the very God he's disobeying. When a storm threatens to sink the ship, Jonah doesn't hesitate to tell the sailors that his God is responsible. It's a stark reminder of how we often try to compartmentalize our faith, claiming to follow God while actively running from His will. God's Unyielding Grace The sailors, interestingly, show more compassion than the prophet. They try desperately to save the ship without harming Jonah, even after he tells them to throw him overboard. It's a poignant moment that challenges our assumptions about who truly demonstrates godly behavior. When Jonah is finally cast into the sea, God's grace makes its first dramatic appearance. Instead of letting His wayward prophet drown, God sends a great fish to swallow Jonah and carry him to safety. It's a miraculous rescue, but more importantly, it's a powerful illustration of God's unwillingness to give up on us, even when we've given up on Him. After this dramatic intervention, Jonah finally goes to Nineveh. His proclamation of impending judgment is brief – perhaps just ten words – yet its impact is nothing short of revolutionary. The entire city, from the common people to the king himself, repents in sackcloth and ashes. It's one of the most successful prophetic missions in the entire Bible, and it happened through the most reluctant of messengers. “Should I not be concerned about Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left?” – Jonah 4:11 But the story doesn't end with this mass conversion. In a twist that reveals the true heart of the narrative, Jonah becomes angry at God's mercy. He sets up a shelter outside the city, seemingly hoping to still see it destroyed. It's a shocking reaction that forces us to confront our own attitudes towards those we consider beyond redemption. Takeaways from Jonah's Story God’s grace is relentless, reaching out even to those we might deem unworthy. We should examine our own hearts for any reluctance or bias that might hinder God’s work through us. God’s mercy challenges our assumptions and invites us to expand our understanding of His love. Every person, regardless of background or past, is within the reach of God's grace. We are called to be bearers of God’s grace, extending compassion even to those we consider "beyond hope." As we go about our lives, may we be mindful of the Ninevehs around us – the people and places that seem too far gone. And may we, unlike Jonah, rejoice when we see God's grace at work, transforming lives and bringing hope where there was none before. The story of Jonah invites us into a grander narrative of redemption. It calls us to turn away from our own limited understanding and step into the boundless grace of God. In doing so, we might just find ourselves part of a story far more amazing than we could ever imagine – a story of grace that changes everything.
Top