Christmas Basket Outreach

 

It was Emmanuel’s 18th year for the Christmas Basket Program in 2020, and it was a huge outpouring of generosity!  The elementary and middle schools in the Coos Bay and North Bend area were contacted in November, resulting in a total of eight schools PLUS the Little Pirates Preschool at Emmanuel.   They submitted names of families and children that were in need of assistance to make a memorable Christmas.  The schools responded with 31 families and 87 children. 

 

Thanks to the Emmanuel church family and others in the communities we were able to provide each family with a $25 gift certificate and laundry baskets filled to the brim with the household staples, gifts, stocking and books. Books are provided by Nancylee Stewart and the Emmanuel Book Fair as well as parishioner donations.  A special acknowledgement of "Books by the Bay" for their support this year.  In addition, each child receives a special gift valued at least $25.00.  

 

The forms the families fill out provide us with names, ages, color preferences and a wish for a certain toy or book, so we are able to match gifts to each child.  In addition to the gift(s), each child receives their very own blanket, and there is a stocking with candy for each child.  Families come by the Church to pick up their baskets the week before Christmas.  It is a joyful experience for both the giver (volunteer) and parents to receive the baskets.  

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An extra special blessing this year was a grant received by the Coos Food Cupboard that provided each of the families with a holiday food package which included a choice of a turkey or ham and all the fixings.

 

There are so many in the Emmanuel family that help in so many ways – in the planning, the giving, the shopping, the wrapping and distribution.    We are grateful for all the assistance that everyone provided – thank you all – it is a joy to be part of this community.