Community Outreach, Faith in Action. . . . At NCUMC, we have a different outreach project each month, as well as ongoing.
This month we are shopping for Christmas presents for local children in needy families from Head Start and So. Oceanside Elementary School. Each child receives two gifts, one toy and one clothing.
InJanuary we will be collecting books for the Women's Detention Facility in Vista. We will concentrate on books witha a positive plot or uplifting or educational message.
In the past year we have worked on a number of different outreach projects:
Mississippi Rebuild Team
On August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast with winds of up to 160 mph. When the storm dissipated on August 31, it left 1,422 people dead and $75 billion worth of damage. Though the destruction on the Gulf Coast is no longer front page news the work of rebuilding continues more than three years later. This May four people from North Coast UMC will go to Mississippi to help rebuild homes and sustain hope. They will be joining 25 other United Methodists from various churches in the San Diego District. The cost is $850 per person. Many of the team members will need financial assistance to make the trip. The team also needs to raise money for building supplies.
Project Linus was born in 1995, when a nurse read an article about a little girl undergoing cancer treatment and made her a blanket. Project Linus gives handmade blankets to children and youth, ages 0 to 18, facing trauma such as being removed from their homes, facing major illness, surgery, chemo, etc. To date over 2,600,00 blankets have been distributed. Blankets are distributed locally to agencies that deal with traumatized children, such as social service agencies, shelters and police. Blankets, afghans, quilts and comforters must be homemade of new materials, washable, from a smoke free environment and can be knitted, crocheted, hand tied with no restriction as to fabric. They accept blankets of any size, but prefer blankets to be at least 34 inches long. For more information about Project Linus blankets, patterns, etc., go to the website projectlinus.org. Lorraine Wyss is the coordinator and will deliver the blankets to our drop off site, but anyone can drop them off at “Sowing Sisters”, 2787 State St. in Carlsbad. (closed Mondays). Although Project Linus is our focus for February, you can make blankets any time during the year and turn them in to the church with a note indicating they are for Project Linus. We'll make sure they are put in good hands.
Books for Women's Detention Facility
Brother Benno's: Collecting socks and coats to go to Brother Bennos which serves the homeless and working poor of Oceanside.
Toy Drive: We provided 57 toys for young military parents at Camp Pendleton to give to their children for Christmas!
Wounded Warriors
Hurricane Ike relief
Going Home Toy bags for Grace Children's Hospital in Haiti
Back to School Backpacks for local children in need (our annual August project)
Interfaith Community Services:
The FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH. We collect ONLY ONE FOOD ITEM EACH MONTH. These items are the staples that they need but seldom get. Hopefully we can collect enough to help last them the month.
Here is the list of items we will collect each month:
JANUARY – PEANUT BUTTER – please buy the smaller jars, 48oz or smaller.
FEBRUARY – CHEERIOS – these are good for all especially families with toddlers.
MARCH – BOXED MAC AND CHEESE – this is an item they try to put in every bag.
APRIL – CANNED FRUIT
MAY – CANNED VEGETABLES – peas, corn, beans of any kind
JUNE – RICE – if you choose to buy the ‘warehouse’ size & package in 3 cup zip lock bags.
JULY – CANNED MEAT AND TUNA
AUGUST – BOXED PACKAGE MEALS – pasta, hamburger and tuna helper, etc.
SEPTEMBER – DRY PASTA
OCTOBER – DRY MILK
Aside from the food item we collect each month, they also need travel size shampoo, conditioner, shampoo, deodorant, regular size toothpaste, toothbrushes, laundry soap and any size diapers.
Continuing Projects:
There is a box in the narthex for your new or gently used clothing for Brother benno’s. We are also collecting food items every week in the baskets by the altar for Interfaith Community Services Food Pantry. Also new, washable, handmade blankets of any size for children through “Projects Linus.” And on the second Monday of every month, volunteers go to Brother Benno’s to serve breakfast.
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"The greatest person alive in the world at this moment is some unknown individual in some obscure place who at this hour has gone in love to be with another person in need." Albert Schweitzer
