Christmas Card Money

                                    It has been the custom for many years for those attending church to not send Christmas cards to each other, but to use the money they would have spent on cards and postage and give it to missions.  This year the mission money was $230.00.   $50.00 was sent to each of the following:

1. Bidwell Riverside in Des Moines, a UMW owned outreach facility where people can get used clothing, and food.  There is a day care service and counseling, and a number of other services.
2. Four Oakes F.E. Restricted Fund.  This fund is a multi purpose account that allows staff to access funds at any given time based on the needs of children and their families.  For example:  Needs not paid under regular funding such as medication for a child in foster care that is not covered, but doctor prescribed, specialized training, emergency clothing at the time of placement.  
3. Dan and Lana Drake from Hopkinton.  Dan fell from a roof, had a head and back injury and was in the hospital for many days with his medical bills continuing because of his injuries.
4. Women @ The Well in Mitchellville, Iowa – the women’s state prison.  They now have an established United Methodist Church inside the prison and a minister.  They need supplies for the church

The last $30.00 was sent to the Anamosa State Men’s Prison.  This money will be put in the Bible and Hymnal fund.  They have a Methodist appointed Chaplain, Rev. Richard Jenkins.  .  In conversation with him, he shared his hope of replacing all of the old Hymnals and Bibles that have seen many years of good use.    

Following are some of the Thank you letters from those that received our Christmas Card Money.  Others will be shared next month.

Bidwell Riverside Center:

The holidays are over, and we have begun yet another year of service to those in need at Bidwell Riverside Center.  We traditionally focus on the New Year as a clean slate, and opportunity for new beginnings.  In reality, that is not really true for us as individuals, and it certainly is not true for Bidwell.  We will be doing pretty much what we always do each day: Childcare, emergency food, used clothing, advocacy for the poor, and education to help people move out of poverty.

            The questions we face are:  How can we keep up with the huge increase in the number of people coming to us for help?  Can we continue to find ways to continue and streamline our services?  Can we develop other programs to help people cope with their struggles? Will there be enough funding to sustain our Work?

            Your generous gift in the amount of $50.00 is critical to our ability not only to continue our work, but to move forward and improve.  Thank you so much for your confidence in what we do, and your support for our work.  Your continued support is vital!  Blessings, Robert S. Crandall, Executive Director

Four Oaks:

Thank you very much for your year end gift of $50.00 to Four Oaks.  One picture we would like to have had is a group photo of the many people who have helped us over the years.  You have been wonderful partners!

            Two years ago a man in his early thirties called me and inquired about the approximate number of people who donated to Four Oakes.  When I told him (it’s a number in the thousands) he said, “Wow…so I probably can’t walk down the street, go to the grocery store or the mall without seeing someone who helped me when I was a child.”  It turns out he was a Four Oaks kid twenty years ago…at a time in his life when, “I didn’t think that ANYBODY outside of Four Oaks cared for me...anybody at all”.   Lots of people did, and as a result he is living a happy and successful life.

            Thanks for your help.  For our part we promise to continue honoring your generosity by turning it into as much love and healing as we know how.  All the best to you in the coming year.  Sincerely, Gary Connors-Boe  Vic President for Development.  

Dan Drake Family

            How do we express in words, what your prayers and generosity has meant to our family.  It has been very humbling to ask so many for your prayers and we are so extremely grateful to all of you for continually keeping Dan and family in your prayers.  The very generous offerings, that have been sent our way have met us with great blessings.  We thank each and everyone of you. God’s work is always amazing.

With God’s love,

                        Dan, Lana, Benjamin, Danielle, and Aveeon Drake.