MISSION OF THE MONTH: July & August 2011

ADOPT-A-BACKPACK For Kids in Need of School Supplies

For children, there are not many days as exciting as the first day of school. Unfortunately, for kids who do not have school supplies, it can be a very embarrassing day. For the past 9 years the CHUM Gabriel Project has given school supplies to children in need. This year the Duluth School District will host a “Back to School Fair” and distribute the backpacks at that event. We plan to deliver our donated items to CHUM in time for this district wide distribution of back packs in early August. We would like to emphasize this mission for July so we can deliver them in time.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

You can donate a backpack plus the supplies to fill it OR donate money so the supplies can be purchased. Backpacks are distributed to two age groups.

GRADE K-5 BACKPACK

Give a $18.00 donation or donate a backpack filled with:

3 Wide Ruled Spiral Notebooks 1 scissors

6 Pencils 1 box markers

3 Pocket Folders 2 glue sticks (not bottles)

1 Box of Crayons

GRADE 6-12 BACKPACK

Give a $20.00 donation or donate a backpack filled with:

6 Pencils 3 Pens

1 pkg College Ruled Loose Leaf Paper

3-Ring Binder 3 Pocket Folders

3 College Ruled Spiral Notebooks

To ensure fairness to all students, each backpack is packed identically based on this list. It is most helpful to us if you don’t include additional items in your donation. If you are unable to donate a full backpack, the items we are most in need of each year are backpacks, scissors, 3-ring binders and pocket folders.

Checks can be made out directly to Churches United in Ministry or to Glen Avon Presbyterian Church, with note “CHUM Backpack” in the memo line.

SECOND MISSION FOR JULY/AUGUST

The Street Outreach teams can use raincoats or ponchos, sleeping bags, pillows and umbrellas. These teams often have to hand out garbage bags to the homeless in an effort to keep them dry and warm. They were very excited at the possibility of having ponchos to hand out.

The Box for Donations is in the North Narthex near the Mission Bulletin Board.

Your gifts matter!

Even in these difficult economic times, the people of Glen Avon are continuing to give in ways that matter very much to recipients. We may never meet these people and yet we are touching and improving lives as Christ has taught us. In the past months, useful kitchen items, gift cards, toiletries, and a vast array of items have been given to Renaissance Transitional Living, to Bethany Crisis Shelter and to our own Youth Mission Trip. Every little bit helps! Your giving brings joy and relief and hope! Let’s not forget to stop off at Seafarer’s with some baked items, or arrange to spend an hour or so visiting with the seafarers who like to chat with local residents. “give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over…” Luke 6:38

We are also continuing to collect the hygiene kits and baby kits for Haiti.