Church on the Green Newsletter December 2017 | Page 13

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Mittens & More Giving Tree

During Advent, the “Mittens & More” Giving Tree will be in the sanctuary and will be the drop off point for two gift opportunities:

1. Gifts for moms and children at the Teen Living Center in Springfield. First Church has helped provide gifts for the residents of the center for over 15 years. The tree will be adorned with paper ornaments.

Each ornament will have a description of a gift that can be purchased for teenage mothers and their children in need at the Teen Living Center in Springfield. Most suggestions come directly from the young mothers and children living at the Center, some of whom have never before received their own gifts. Some are requests for generic items such as diapers, pull ups and wipes, always needed at the Center.

Please take an ornament home with you, or two, or three, and return your wrapped gift(s) under the tree by 10:00 am Sunday, December 24, when Nichole Lussier, Director of the Teen Living Center, will join us for worship and to pick up the gifts. The ornament should be attached to the gift, decorated (or not) as you like. Just imagine the excitement and the happiness we will bring to our young friends in Springfield on this coming Christmas Eve/Morning.

Questions can be directed to Bev Sager ([email protected]).

2. Coats, mittens, gloves and hats for families from Puerto Rico who have relocated to the area as a result of Hurricane Maria. Massachusetts Parents United (https://www.maparents.org) has asked us to help collect coats for the many Puerto Rican families under their care who have arrived in Massachusetts without warm coats for the harsh New England winter. Please consider donating a new or gently used coat by bringing it to church and placing it in the large gift wrapped box near the Mitten Tree. Mittens, gloves and hats are also appreciated.

Questions can be directed to Pastor Pam ([email protected]).