We call them “something to love,” or “something to hug.” Stuffed animals. Dolls. Something to name, protect, and snuggle, small enough to fit in a shoe box, but big enough to hold a child’s dreams, strong enough to carry the love of Jesus from Sewickley UMC to distant corners of the world.
The Fellowship of the Cross youth are hoping to gather a few more stuffed animals and dolls ahead of our Operation Christmas Child packing party between worship services on September 27th. This is our 16th year of leading OCC campaigns at SUMC, and every box has included a stuffed animal. We need help to include stuffed animals in each box this year.
We also need more toothbrushes. We will be collecting contributions through September 20th. Look for our bins in the narthex and the library hallway. Financial contributions are also accepted. Everyone is invited to join us on September 27th for the packing party. We have packed more than 1,600 boxes since 2011, at least 100 boxes in each of the past 14 years. Our boxes have reached Ukraine, Thailand, and multiple nations in Africa, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
As is our tradition, Kara W. and her daughters are wrapping shoe boxes in Christmas paper for the party. Everyone takes an empty box and, while circling the Simpson Room, fills it with love, prayer, school supplies, small toys, wearables like socks, caps, and T-shirts, and, hopefully, a toothbrush and something to love. The Fellowship of the Cross is grateful for the incredible support we receive each year from our church family and our communities. For more information, see Grace Rogansky or Bill Utterback.