The Inside Program/Christmas giving Idea.

Guys, this is a letter from a friend of mine who loves to help people. While you are putting together your Christmas buy list could you think about picking up a little extra to help her our. Call in Community Involvement, Call it church , Call it whatever you want, but please join us and get involved.

The Inside Program (TIP):  It is a program of Sheltercare largely based in Springfield that gets people off the streets, into apartments and learning new living and coping skills in the face of mental illness and other challenges.  Three years ago they launched the program with 9 residents.

A bunch of people got together and filled “wish lists” at Christmas.  The following year River Oaks Community Church took the lead again and Emerald Baptist Church joined in fulfilling the ‘wish lists’ for 14 people.  This is the third (and last) year handling the requests (program staff will take over next year with the help of an intern).

This year there are 23 residents.  The requests are largely for clothing, kitchen tools, art supplies, books or movies.

Guys, can you see if you have a spare coat, a spare Large sweatshirt, fairly new socks, gloves, and hats.  Gals, can you check your closets and ask friends for women’s coats, Large warm shirts or sweatshirts, fairly new socks, gloves and hats. Some people need umbrellas.  A couple of gentlemen have asked for rain gear for commuting to work on a bike.  There is a request for a guitar.

You can contact Catherine Amber about donations: catsurfing@yahoo.com or 689-0416.