The “lovables” bin in our Operation Christmas Child room is a little under-populated. We have four dolls: three who could be sisters and an infant in pink footie pajamas. We have some adorable Ty bears, a kangaroo, a bat, a spider, an octopus. a donkey, a piglet, a Tweety Bird, a prayer bear, a tiny penguin who clips onto a backpack, and a few others. We don’t have enough.
This is our 15th consecutive OCC campaign, coordinated by the Fellowship of the Cross youth, and we have sent stuffed shoe boxes into the hands of more than 1,500 children in Ukraine, Africa, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean, as well as nations that cannot be identified for security reasons. We have filled at least 100 boxes for 13 consecutive years, and every box from Sewickley UMC has contained a “lovable,” a stuffed animal or a doll. They are either new or very gently loved, and small enough to tuck into a shoe box. Many have come from the children who gently loved them and were willing to share. We want every child to have something to love, something to hug, something to listen to their secrets, songs, and stories. We learn to care and share through our “lovables,” so we are designating June as “Lovables” month at SUMC.
Please consider joining us as we attempt to fill the lovables bin in our OCC room. Our collection bins are located outside the church office, in the hallway near the coatracks and mailboxes, and also in the narthex. Our OCC collection runs year-round, but it accelerates in summer. Late summer brings school supplies. We also collect toys, balls, jewelry, combs and brushes, sunglasses, toothbrushes, ball caps, socks, T-shirts, puzzles, and books. We cannot accept toys or wearables with a war/gun component, as well as anything breakable, edible, or liquid (including toothpaste, bodywash, and shampoo). We also accept financial contributions. Please see Grace or Bill for more information.