Across the U.S. and beyond, the Somebody Cares network is spreading the joy of the season throughout their communities!
In St. Augustine, Florida, 16 churches and organizations came together in November to collect and donate 640 coats, along with bins full of underwear, socks, and hoodies for homeless and unaccompanied youth enrolled in the county’s school district. Distribution began on December 6, with any extras to be held at local schools for distribution to children in need throughout the winter. “We want to thank all those who donated coats and winter clothing items this year,” said Somebody Cares St. Augustine Director John Clifton. “Thanks to you, our students in need will be warm this winter.”
In Haverhill, Mass., our SC New England chapter collaborated with Toys for Tots to provide toys and gifts to their community. “While Toys for Tots provides gifts for ages 12 and below,” explains SCNE, “Somebody Cares relies upon the generosity of individuals, organizations, and companies to help provide Christmas gifts for the teens. Thank you for making Christmas merry and bright for over 200 children!”
Our chapter in Baltimore is partnering with Toys For Tots, as well, to assist over 1500 families! “We are also helping coordinate four holiday events that will serve hundreds of families with food; a Free Lunch Friday Christmas store and food distribution; and the annual Code Blue Holiday Christmas party for the homeless,” says SCB Director Matt Stevens.
In College Station, Texas, SOS Ministries—our affiliate for SC Brazos Valley—took 49 teens, kids, and families Christmas shopping. “It was such a blessing for us to see so many of them buy gifts for their family members and to see how God provided!” they said.
And in Tampa Bay, our SC chapter is serving 63 families through Angel Tree. “Angel Tree is a program to help parents in prison connect with their children at Christmas,” explains SCTB’s Kathy Bernard. “We get volunteers to buy and wrap the gifts and ask other groups and many churches to deliver the gifts with bags of food. That last touch is a sweet one where we are able to see the smiles, build relationships, and pray with the families.” The food bags also include a Book of Hope for the children, and SCTB is giving each family a DVD of The Favorite movie.
Other Christmas outreaches include:
- Over 1200 shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse filled by Catacumba 5/Somebody Cares Puerto Rico to bless hundreds of children by showing them the true meaning of Christmas;
- A Community Dinner hosted by Church in the City/Somebody Cares Denver for hundreds of families in the community. They all received a delicious holiday meal, groceries, and toys for the young ones;
- The annual SC Houston Toy Store, where parents can shop for their children. Some of the gifts are also set aside for delivery to specially selected families by the Harris County Sheriff’s Department;
- The annual Feast of Plenty community Thanksgiving meal and gifts at Christmas for families whose children are part of the BloodNFire/SC San Antonio community;
- Gift distribution especially for grandparents raising grandchildren at Harvest for Lost Souls, one of our church partners with SC Southeast Texas;
- Free Christmas trees, groceries, and presents for families in need from SC Aberdeen, Scotland.
At Christmas and all year long, our chapters, centers, and partners are letting their communities know Somebody Cares! Together, we are rescuing lives.
Thank you for caring!