For the Children

When a group of us gathered at the church in the fall of 2018 to talk about what we believed children in our community needed and how Christ would want us to serve them, our focus was always “for the children.” The services and items we share at Blessings for Children and even our name evolved from that mission statement. It is affirmed each time someone drops off a donation at the #10 house saying it’s something they think the children could use or enjoy, or graciously gives a financial gift to purchase the items we share, or when our volunteers walk through the door eager to serve. All of this is “for the children.” A few weeks ago, I was in line at Walmart with a cart full of items that were clearly “for the children” - school supplies, clothing, diapers. An elderly gentleman in a mobility scooter in the line next to me asked me why I had so many items. I explained about our Shalimar UMC’s mission ministry, and he dug around in his pocket and pulled out a crumpled bill and reached out to me with a true twinkle in his eyes and said, “For the children!”

If you would like to join us in helping our area’s children in need at Blessings for Children, here are some ways to consider:  
 

• Please pray for the ministry and all who participate. Be on the lookout for families you can refer to us for assistance.
  
  
• Consider donating items we distribute to the children: diapers (size 4, 5, and 6 in particular), pull-ups, wipes, school supplies, children sized t-shirts, socks and underwear, children’s toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, lice treatment kits, and toilet paper. A complete list of items we distribute can be found at shalimar-umc.org/blessings-for-children. You can donate items by stopping by the #10 2nd Street house behind the church any Wednesdays from 11:30am - 3:30pm.
  
  
• Children’s bibles, bible stories, and activity books are always a joy to receive and distribute. Spanish language Bibles are always needed!

• A financial gift designated to Blessings for Children through the church allows us to replenish the needed items we distribute weekly.          

               
New volunteers are always welcome, with no regular commitment required.

For additional information
Mary Jane Robertson
Email: mjr53@cox.net
Visit: shalimar-umc.org/blessings-for-children
Phone or text: (850) 499-6173
Open every Wednesday 12 - 3:30 pm