The Elf Network (TEN)

With Christmas fast approaching, we can all help to make the season a bit merrier for many children in our community and take some stress off the shoulders of their parents. The Elf Network is comprised of many programs to support families in our community at Christmas.  We are truly blessed to be able to help others at this time.

Community Families (food hamper & gifts)

We have chosen 18 families in our local community who could use some extra help this Christmas season.  We will be providing them with a Christmas hamper full of food as well as gift cards (Walmart, Indigo etc) and gifts as appropriate.  Gift cards can be purchased at the VISTA table until Dec 1^st.  Gift in kind charitable receipts will be provided.  The gifts/cards & food hampers will be distributed on Thursday Dec 12^th and Monday Dec 23^rd respectively.

Some of our families

• A single mom with 4 children under 13 who gets no support from their father
• A single mom who has lost some benefits due to the age of her child and now cannot afford food
• 3 single moms each with 2 children
• A grandmother who wants to be able to provide a gift to her grandchildren as well as help with food over the holidays
• A 2 parent family with 2 children who need help to make ends meet

Mission Fish

Funds donated to the Mission Jar from September to December will be directed to purchasing items for one of the The Elf Network programs.

White Gift Service

White Gift Sunday began when a minister’s wife, upset over her two daughter’s arguing over gifts they had received in a Sunday School Gift exchange, came up with the idea. She remembered a story about the wise King Kubla Khan who received gifts from his people that were wrapped in white so that all the gifts looked the same. By doing this, the love and devotion of the giver became more important than the gift. The following year, it was suggested that the Congregation bring gifts, wrapped in white that would be given to people in need in the community.

On Sunday Dec 1^st, we will receive gifts wrapped in white paper (tissue, kraft) to be distributed through the The Elf Network.  Ornaments with gender, child’s age and wish items will be available at the back of the sanctuary.  Please tape the ornament tag to the gift so we can distribute them to the designated child.

Knitting

Calling all knitters & crocheters!   A number of programs in the The Elf Network could use some knit /crocheted items, perhaps a scarf, hat, mittens, even an afghan.  If you would like to contribute, please bring them in by December 9^th for the Outreach Christmas tree for the Christmas family, Single Moms’ children’s shopping experience or the Food for Life families.  Items will also go to Wesley Centre.

Annual Turkey Drive for Food for Life

Help a family in need this holiday season by giving your time at Food for Life’s Annual Turkey Drive: Saturday December 7^th and Sunday December 8^th from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (split shifts) at one of four Fortinos locations in Burlington. They are seeking volunteers to encourage shoppers to donate a turkey to Food for Life and help a hungry family this holiday season. Some of these turkeys are provided to our community families that we help at Christmas as well as to our Food for Life families.  Last year 2000 turkeys were donated.  Please contact Marsha Ahrens if you would like to volunteer.