“The power of love and dedication is phenomenal,” said Ian McLean, minister at St. Andrew’s United in Enderby.
Each year the children and youth from the small church choose a project to work on as a way of thinking of the people who have very little with the approach of Christmas. This year they became aware that First United Church in Vancouver feeds an average of 500 homeless people a day, and the average meal costs $360, depending on the menu. The young people decided that they would try to raise $360 for one of those meals, and the work began.
Over several weeks in the late fall they worked hard preparing Christmas tree ornaments, baking, hot chocolate mix, soup mix and crafts, which they sold at the Christmas bazaar as well as after church on Sundays.
Also featured was a Jessie Tree which held little denim mittens handed out at church and hung on the tree filled with change, scarves (which the children made from fleece), donated mitts, hats and socks. The local Twice but Nice store heard about the project and took one of the youth on a tour to pick out warm coats, jackets and clothing to add to the tree.
The project was completed with the kids selling pizza which was purchased at a reduced price, thanks to our local Sutherland’s Bakery. It was also decided by them that some of the hats and mittens would go the local MV Beattie school, where some children come to school without warm clothing.
We are very proud to present these gifts to First United and MV Beattie with our thanks for all of the support and the blessings of St. Andrew’s, Enderby.
