submitted by: Olivia Hale
The primary Sabbath School class members of East Ridge Church of Chattanooga, Tenn., filled 100 gift bags with socks, bug spray, shampoo, hand sanitizer, toenail clippers, and copies of Steps to Christ, which were later dropped off at the Homeless Healthcare Center of Chattanooga, Tenn., on September 14. Though primary kids packed the parcels and co-led the project, the outreach involved the entire church, and even guests.
The primary Sabbath School class and personal care ministries team reached out to the Care Center and discovered the actual needs of homeless clients. They announced those needs during church, and assigned each Sabbath School class an item. Even visiting Southern Adventist University students donated items.
Dorothea Sarli, a member at East Ridge Church, said, “This outreach was unique in that it involved many people who were personally involved in collecting (buying and bringing) items rather than just giving money.” Other participants elaborated that it increased their awareness of specific needs in the homeless community, which they would have never known.
Babs Gresko, a case manager at Homeless Healthcare Center of Chattanooga, said, “Our clients do not have presents given to them, which is exactly what these are! Thank you so very much for all your hard work, time, and money.”
Georgia-Cumberland | December 2019
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