Churches, Groups Share Holiday

Gifts with LSF Youth & Elderly
 

Updated 6 February 2008 - TW

This past Christmas, Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) and particularly those served by LSF were blessed with sharing in abundance.
 

ANGELS FOR YOUTH IN THE PANHANDLE

For many years, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Pensacola has made sure that the youth clients of Currie House, Safe Haven and LSF's non-residential services have had a wonderful Christmas by putting an angel tree in the church.  Members each take an angel and buys gifts for the youth described on the angel. 

"The organization of their angel tree is a reminder of most of our own Christmases," says Beth Deck, LSF Director of the Northwest Region.  "St. Paul’s guarantees that on Christmas morning every client is going to receive one complete outfit, undergarments, a jacket, a small personal item (wallet, purse, headphone, etc.) and also one item from their own Christmas wish list. These items range from a favorite CD, cologne/perfume to a Nintendo game."

Corry Naval Training Station in Pensacola also sponsored an angel tree for LSF located in their chapel as one Christmas project among many to assist community organizations.

"This angel tree allows us to be able to include the siblings of the clients we serve in our non-residential program who, without this particular angel tree, may not have had any other gifts," said Beth.  "It speaks for itself that so many of the military stationed in our area, like our clients, are away from their families and homes for the holidays, and are willing to help a child in need."

Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church in Lillian, Alabama also supported LSF residential and non-residential clients this past Christmas with an angel tree.  Although across the state line, the church is a part of the Pensacola metropolitan area, and members were eager to reach out to assist youth served by LSF.

In addition to churches and organizations, one family of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Pensacola "has donated $1,000 to us for the past two years for us to use where we feel it is most needed during the holidays," reported Beth.  "There have been many smiling faces on Christmas Day because this family has made it a priority to share their blessings with those in need."
 

GIFTS FOR YOUTH IN FT. MYERS

Youth at LSF's Oasis Shelter in Ft. Myers attended a "Christmas Jubilee" at the local World Outreach Christian Church.  The youth each got to submit a wish list of three possible gifts between $50-100, and church members would purchase one item from the list to purchase for them.

"The youth picked gifts such as new sneakers, digital cameras, iPods, jewelry, stereos, and so on," said reported Lori Baronner, Resident Services Manager at Oasis. "Many of these youths are from low income families who aren't able to afford such gifts."

On Dec. 15, the Oasis youth attended the church service and received their gifts.  "When each youth was called up front to receive their gift, all the others clapped and cheered for their peers," said Ms. Baronner.  "It was a very special day."

Gateway Trinity Lutheran Church in Ft. Myers also had a Christmas party for Oasis youth on Dec. 19, joining the church's youth group for dinner, service, outside activities, decorating cupcakes and cookies, and gifts.  The church gave each Oasis youth and staff member presents, and they donated to the shelter a Karaoke machine, a PlayStation 2 video game, sports equipment, as well as other items.

"With both of these church parties, we were able to build relationships and partner together in serving our youth," said Ms. Baronner.

Oasis Shelter also received a donation of $200 for youth (which was divided into Walmart gift cards), gifts from another local church, gifts from the Bishop Verot Key Club, and a check for $1500 for the shelter.

"We've been truly blessed this year, and we are so very thankful!" said Ms. Baronner. "The youth have been busy writing thank you cards!  It was a truly wonderful and special Christmas season."


GIFTS FOR THE ELDERLY IN TAMPA

In Tampa in early December, the Guardianship Office "began to look like Santa Claus had dropped off all his gifts in one place," reports Rubis Castro, LSF Regional Director for Tampa Bay. 

The LSF Guardianship Program assists court-appointed elderly people who have physical or mental disabilities and have no means or family to provide for their care.

"Dozens of presents all cheerfully wrapped arrived from the loving people of the Lutheran Women Missionary League of Trinity Lutheran Church, Orlando and from the staff of the Florida-Georgia District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod," said Rubis. Cindy Hammerstrom of the Florida-Georgia District coordinated the gift project.

"Not only did they supply the neediest of our clients, but all of our clients were served," Rubis reported.  "The bonus for our staff was in the early arrival of the gifts, which enabled Guardianship staff to have the time to get all the gifts into the hands of the clients."

One other bonus was noticeable too among the staff.  "Everyone truly was in the Christmas spirit," said Rubis.

Many thanks to those churches, organizations and individuals who so generously shared their time and efforts and gifts to make Christmas a little brighter for those served by LSF.  

"Christmas can be a very difficult time for the clients we serve," said Beth Deck, "many of whom are in shelter or without family during this special time of year.  Every individual who provided gifts has definitely touched a life and put a smile on another person’s face, if only for a moment!"

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