A special thank you to everyone that helped organize, serve and give towards The Gift of Giving this year at Federated Church in Wauconda. Thanks to you, these families are not only enjoying a wonderful Christmas right now, they were also able to give to others!
Love in the Name of Christ (INC) SW, invites you to a unique opportunity to celebrate the Greatest Gift ever given, the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. We plan to celebrate Him and the Gift of Giving by providing a special Christmas experience for 15 specially selected families, who have been working with us to help themselves and their families move beyond some very difficult circumstances. In keeping with the mission of Love INC, this event is not about handouts, but about community and about relationships. We know that true transformation happens only with God, and He uses His Church in community to change lives. Join us for all the fun!
We will meet at Federated Church of Wauconda, this year’s host church. Volunteers will be paired up with parents and they will all board the “Love Bus” for a whirlwind shopping trip to Wal-Mart where the parents will pick out gifts for their kids.
Meanwhile, all the kids are back at the church, making crafts and finding treasures in the “Christmas Store” to wrap as gifts for their parents’. When the parents return, they will secretly wrap gifts and hide them in their cars.
Finally the families will come back together to create “Love Buckets” filled with much needed items that will bless other families who will be served by the churches and Love INC in the future. There will be a free meal immediately following the event for families and any volunteers who wish to continue the party.
It takes many people and resources to make this joyous Christmas Celebration happen! When the Whole Body of Christ comes together, all things are possible!
Volunteer
Many volunteers are needed: Shoppers, Children Helpers, Bakers, Greeters and much, much more! You can see more details about the event and the list of volunteer roles if you click on the Christmas Volunteer Registration link here-> http://loveincsouthwest.formstack.com/forms/untitled_form2_copy_copy
Contribute to the Celebration in three ways
1) Purchase $25 Wal-Mart gift cards. Either collect them at your church or contact Jeanne McGowan, at Love INC directly to drop them off.
2) Click this link to make a donation online: http://loveincsouthwest.org/give/financial- contribution/
3) Mail a check made to: Love INC SW, PO BOX 231, Wauconda, IL 60084
If you have any questions, please call Jeanne McGowan, Clearinghouse Coordinator 847-469-8835 X115
Linda-a Love INC client writes:
“ I want to thank Love INC for the help they gave me in my time of dire need. One way they assisted me was through the furniture provided. I received a recliner, my first ever, and a bed. It is the first time I have had more than a mattress on the floor in almost ten years. It feels so good to be able to get out of bed without needing to roll off onto the floor and then pull myself up. The mattress is so firm that I sleep so much better. I cannot express how grateful I am that you gave of your time and energy in helping a complete stranger. It made a difference.”
The items that Linda received are things that some of us take for granted. I remember a time in my life when my dad went on strike and we had to sell everything because we were in need of money. We all slept on the floor in the living room and I remember how hard this was on my mom because they couldn’t provide beds for us. Many of our clients are in similar situations with no light at the end of the tunnel. Due to all of the volunteers who serve through Love INC SW, dire situations can turn hopeful.
God uses Love INC as a light for many. He brings his children alongside those who need him. So far in this story, God has used an intake volunteer, staff and a delivery team to bring comfort and a smile to Linda’s face.
All of us have something to offer another person. No matter how small you think your offer is, God can use it in ways that you cannot even imagine.
In August Federated Church hosted an event for Love INC families. Clients, volunteers and staff attended a Schaumburg Boomers Baseball game. Four client families joined us, including a blind mom named Maria. Dan Baron (one of our volunteers) has a heart for those with disabilities and I watched him come to life in Maria’s presence.
At the game, Dan sat Maria’s family, right up front, so that she could hear the ball cracking against the bat. He sat by her, explaining the game in detail, so she wouldn’t miss a thing. Then after the game he was able to take her out onto the field so she could walk the bases. When they were coming toward home plate, I watched as Dan guided Maria down to the ground so that she could feel the gravel and dirt between her fingers. This touched my heart and made me think about the other clients that are served through Love INC.
Many of our clients can see physically, but are blind Spiritually. While serving those who are in need we are actually taking them by the hand and guiding them, so that they can experience the love of Christ through our actions. We are helping people experience life in a way that is specific to them. Whether we are giving them rides or simply spending time with them, we are actually “going down to the ground” with them, letting them know they aren’t alone.
God created all of us with unique passions. One person has a heart for those with disabilities and another for the homeless, and so on. We just need to be open and available for God to take us down to the ground.
