Christmas can be a joy-filled time of year, and a time we can practice generosity and meet needs in our communities. Please help us make this season a little brighter for some young people!
This Christmas season, we want to help support organizations that serve kids and young adults in our communities. We hope to collect:
- 25 coats
- 35 boxes of diapers
- $25,000
Please bring in coat or diaper donations by Sun, Dec 21. Drop off during a Sunday service, or Mon-Thurs at Door B between 9am-3pm.
Organizations we’re supporting:
CAST
Our youth team partnered with Citizens Against Sex Trafficking (CAST) to teach Echo students about the terrible reality of sex trafficking throughout Minnesota. CAST. strives to create a world with fewer victims by giving individuals the knowledge and tools they need to protect themselves. Donations from our fundraiser will help expand CAST’s educational programming so that more young people will learn how to stay safe.
Close to My Heart
CTMH is the non-profit early childhood center in our building that provides an encouraging environment for kids at an affordable cost for families. Right now they’re struggling to pay for substitute teachers when their regular staff members are sick or take time off – the hourly rate has skyrocketed because of a shortage of workers. Through our fundraiser, we hope to help offset the cost of substitute teachers so the kids can continue to get high-quality care.
Every Meal
This partner organization is on a mission to fight childhood hunger by discreetly placing bags of food in elementary-aged kids’ backpacks so that families have more to eat on weekends. Missional groups from Woodland Hills are currently serving with Every Meal in two East Metro schools in our neighborhood. We hope to support their mission this holiday season and help them fight hunger in Minnesota schools.
First Care Pregnancy Center
Just down on White Bear Avenue, a new organization has joined our local community. First Care is a life-affirming organization that helps young women navigate unplanned pregnancies at no cost. They moved into their building this summer and because of some humidity problems, they needed to throw away hundreds of diapers. We hope to replace diapers and fund the purchase of more baby supplies for their clients.
Pick up a diaper card in the Gathering Area and bring back a box of much-needed diapers!
Voice in the Wilderness Organization
This on-site partner serves Congolese refugees in Minnesota. Many have fled extreme violence and unrest, and once they arrive here they often have needs that can’t be met by social service agencies. One of the biggest surprises is how cold our winters get, and they don’t have enough warm clothes for their families.
Pick up a coat card in the Gathering Area and purchase a coat for a refugee child!
Please bring in coat or diaper donations by Sun, Dec 21. Drop off during a Sunday service, or Mon-Thurs at Door B between 9am-3pm.
