The SUMC congregation, with help from some community members, provided over 100 coats along with some cold weather accessories for the City of Pittsburgh Police distribution in Northview Heights Housing. SUMC and others offered household goods, clothing, and lots of books to the families who brought their children to the coat distribution. It was heartwarming to see the children wearing new warm coats and SUMC Mission Sale “leftovers” going home with the families.
Additionally, gifts were purchased for 20 residents of The Bradley Center, a residential mental health treatment facility for children ages 6 to 21 located in Robinson Township. Besides the wonderful, personalized gifts provided by congregants and friends, each received a plush throw blanket, a game or toy, shoes, and a shirt (if not gifted by the sponsor). No doubt, the children were delighted to have gifts to open for Christmas.
Lastly, SUMC, along with community partners, provided bagged meals on three occasions to the nurses of the Heritage Valley Sewickley COVID and ICU units. SUMC thanks Subway (Leetsdale) for providing discounted subs and free cookies, Safran’s Market for reduced cost sandwiches, Eat’n Park (Sewickley) for the Smiley Christmas Tree Cookies, and the Ultimate Pastry Shop for donating an assortment of cookies. The Outreach Committee also thanks everyone who wrote or signed notes that were included with the 180 meals.
Funding for this project was provided through the Outreach Designated Fund, which had recent generous donations that will leave a nice fund balance going into 2022. In such difficult times, it was a blessing to be able to work alongside others in the Sewickley community.