October 2, 2003

Dear Friends and Volunteers:

III John: 5:8  "Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren and especially when they are strangers; Therefore, we ought to support such men, that we may be fellow workers with the truth."

I pray this letter find's you in good health & Spirit and growing in your relationship with Jesus Christ.  We are excited at the Christian Caring Center, because it is Basket time again.  We are changing things up a little this year.  We will be using the Township Recreation Building in Country Lakes Section of Browns Mills again for Thanksgiving & Christmas.  We want to get more sponsors involved and more groups of volunteers, and above all reach out to everyone in need.  We know that your group is doing good things in the sight of God and we are blessed to be fellow workers of the truth with you.  We would like to seek your participation in these Holiday Basket Outreaches.  Last year we were able to distribute to 446 Households, each basket consisted of Turkey or ham dinner with all the fixings & gifts at Christmas.  We got to share the gospel and prayer with each family individually.  All, who participated in any way, were truly blessed.  We would like to do these type baskets again this year and if donations allow-to even increase our outreach.  Here are some ideas of how you could participate.
   
1) STUFF THE BAG: We will provide you with a plastic bag with a sample menu of non-perishables.  The individual takes the bag home for a few weeks and can purchase the items each time they go to the grocery store.  They bring it back and you get to see many, many families provided for and then we come and pick it up.

2) SPONSOR A FOOD OR GIFT DRIVE: Collect cranberry sauce, canned veggies, fruit, soups, juice, yams, gravy, boxed stuffing, mashed potatoes, brownies and a gift certificate for a Ham or turkey.  We distribute to over 400 households each year.  Your group can also collect gifts, Sunday school bible lessons, bibles, etc.  We distribute to over 1500 children each year.  I have attached a list of hard to get gifts for around $10 each.

3) VOLUNTEER: You may serve during our basket preparation days, you or your group and volunteer during distribution days. Our dates are as follows: Sat. Nov 22: 10am-3pm///Sun, Nov.23: 2pm-5pm//Mon. Nov24; 10am-3pm // Sat. Dec20; 10am-3pm.//Sun.Dec 21; 2pm-5pm//Mon.Dec. 22;10am-3pm and Tues.Dec.23; 10am-3pm.

 
4) FINANCIAL DONATIONS: You may donate $25.00 per basket to purchase the Ham and food necessary to fill in from donations and purchase the items for the Resurrection Baskets.  The estimated value is approximately $40-$50 per household.

5) SCHEDULE A PRESENTATION: We will come and speak to your group, church, Sun. School Class or office.  We even have a video.  Call us Mon.- Sat., 10am-3pm, at (609) 893-0700 or (609) 859-3846.

6) ASK YOUR EVANGELISM TEAM OR GROUP TO COME VOLUNTEER: Most churches have an evangelism coordinator or team, youth group, men's & women's group and they are looking for ways to share the gospel.  This is a dream come true with very little commitment.  Just show up, or contact your Sunday school Superintendent to clean out their supply cabinet and donate the unused materials to our project.   Another great project for Sunday School classes is for the children to collect & assemble items and make their own Christmas gifts for another child.  

We thank you for your prayerful consideration of our requests on behalf of all of our clients and their children.  We know there are a lot of good agencies doing good for their neighbors and we thank you for choosing the Christian Caring Center to be fellow worker for the Truth!
 

Abiding in Him,

Madelyn C. Mears-Sheldon
Exc. Director

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