CEC Outreach News: December 11, 2020

Thanks to Parishioners as the Virtual Angel Tree Drive Concludes

In an outpouring of generosity, Christ Church parishioners responded to brighten Christmas for Howard County children during this year’s Angel Tree drive. The Outreach Commission once again focused our support on children ages 10 to 12 to meet a need identified by The Salvation Army. Twelve “angels” will be receiving a complete package that includes three toys, a coat, a pair of shoes, and an outfit of clothing. Of course, since these are pre-teens, their wish lists were age-appropriate with items ranging from an easel and art supplies to a skateboard. If you are among those who signed up, please accept the heartfelt gratitude of the families who would not have otherwise had such a bright Christmas to anticipate.

Please bring in your gifts by the deadline, which is 2 p.m. this Friday, December 11th.

Here’s the procedure:

● If you need to review the signup list to label your gifts after shopping, click here. When you are ready to drop off the gifts, please place them — unwrapped — inside a plastic bag and tie a tag or label on it that clearly states the name and identifying number of the angel.

● You may put multiple gifts for the same angel in one bag. Put gifts for a different angel(s) in separate bags. The bags can be dropped off in a marked bin at the church just inside the Parish Hall door until 2 p.m. through Friday. Please call the church office (410) 381-9365 to let them know when you are coming.

Due to pandemic precautions, our Angel Tree signup was handled virtually and another option allowed some parishioners to order online and have gifts shipped directly to The Salvation Army. That means Christ Church was able to help additional children, and we thank those who participated in the “hands-off” option. Through either method, we are lifting the hearts not only of the angels but of their parents, who obtain the unwrapped gifts from The Salvation Army. If you have any questions or need assistance, please call Melanie Yaksich at (410) 908-3520 or email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.

A Limited Selection of Stocking Stuffers Available to Benefit DreamBuilders

Traditionally the Outreach Commission has sold fair-trade coffee, tea, and chocolates to benefit DreamBuilders prior to Christmas. Despite the pandemic upending our traditions and keeping us apart, we can make a limited inventory available. If you want to purchase any of the following items, one of us will make a curbside dropoff between now and Dec. 20th and give you instructions to mail a check in payment directly to DreamBuilders, which has been building desks for underserved students this fall.

Here are the choices in our remaining inventory of chocolate: 14 dark chocolate bars, size 1.2 ounce; 3 for $5 or $1.75 each, 4 milk chocolate bars, size 1.2 ounce, 3 for $5 or $1.75 each; 3 bags of Java Drops (chocolate-covered coffee beans), size 16 ounce, $12 each.

In our remaining inventory of coffee, we have several bags of each of the following, in order of the heartiest to lightest flavor blend: Italian Expresso, (whole bean only), 16 ounces, $11; Moka Sumatra (ground only), 16 ounces, $11; Uprising Breakfast Blend (ground only), 16 ounces, $11; Hazelnut Dream (ground only), 16 ounces, $11; Peru French Roast Decaf (ground only), 16 ounces, $11. There’s no tea nor hot cocoa available, unfortunately. To order, please email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.

Springfield Hospital Christmas Gifts - Deadline is December 14th

We will once again be collecting Christmas gifts for our friends at Springfield Hospital. This has been a particularly difficult year for them, as they have been unable to have visits due to the pandemic. Though we haven’t been able to make our usual visits, we will be gathering gifts for them to bring a little Christmas Joy. If you would like to contribute, we have placed a large container in the Tower Room to accept your unwrapped donations, before December 14th. If that’s inconvenient, please contact Cathy Gold and we will find a way. heycathy@verizon.net or (410) 440-4178.

For anyone who has suggestions about ways to help the community, would like to get involved, or if you need any assistance, please email Christ Church Outreach at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Your help is greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.