Article submitted by Alan & Trish Sowers, Field Coordinators in Honduras
About the Gifts for Gracias Project:
This will be our sixth year to distribute Christmas gifts in and around the city of Gracias, in the department of Lempira. This department is officially recognized by the Honduran government as the poorest area of Honduras. The recipients of the Christmas gifts will again be the pastors of the area churches and their families, and also children in our nutrition centers, special needs program, in the local hospital, and in 14 orphanages.
We hope that this will be an opportunity for you to reach out to your brothers and sisters in Christ. We anticipate distributing around 2,200 children’s boxes this year and about 300 family boxes.
Allen has a goal this year to include a soccer ball in every family gift. Soccer balls are by far the most appreciated item we give, and many pastors use soccer in their youth ministries.
Here is what you need to know, to create a gift:
Children’s gifts may be created in shoeboxes or large plastic zipper bags. Family boxes, which include items specifically for the adults, or for the use of the entire family, usually require a larger box. A great idea is to package family gifts in a duffle bag or backpack, or in a plastic storage container – the pastors love this!
All gifts should fit into one of the following categories, and should be labeled in this way:
- Baby girl or Baby boy
- Preschool girl or Preschool boy
- 5 – 7 yr old girl or 5 – 7 yr old boy
- 8 – 12 yr old girl or 8 – 12 yr old boy
- Teen girl or Teen boy
- Family Box
Suggested items for the children’s gift boxes:
- tooth brushes, toothpaste, and other toiletries
- crayons, markers, stickers, colored pencils and coloring books
- pads of paper, pencils, pens, school supplies, backpack
- combs, brushes, hair bows
- soap, baby shampoo, baby bottles, rattles
- balls, small toys, socks
- *soccer balls, *inexpensive watches, *baseball caps
*dolls, *stuffed animals, *sunglasses
Suggested items for the family gift boxes:
- soap, shampoo (please make sure it is tightly closed), toiletries
- candles, small decorative items, sewing kit
- hair things, handkerchiefs, purse
- dish towels, small kitchen items, plastic storage containers
- small flashlight, small clock (non-electrical)
- band-aids, tubes of antibiotic, aspirin, antacid, baby powder
- lotion, aftershave, perfume
- pens, notepads, stationary, tape, small office supplies
- shoe polish (brown or black), dark socks, inexpensive wallet
- *blanket, *towels, washclothes
- *belts (smaller adult sizes), *baseball hats, *backpacks
(* Indicates especially appreciated items)
Please DO NOT include food items of any kind. We have huge problems with pests and heat destroying the candy – and more importantly, other items in the same box are ruined. We will add candy to the boxes ourselves just before distribution. You may send bags of candy, separately, to help us with this expense, if you desire.
SHIPPING INFORMATION:
The mailing deadline for this project is October 15th, 2010.
Gifts may be sent to:
Gifts for Gracias
c/o Dennis Miller
4337 Skymist Terrace
Olney, MD 20832
or
Gifts for Gracias
c/o Norma Irvin
7921 Broadmoor Pines Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34243
For more info contact Trish at trish@sowers4pastors.com
Please consider helping us with the cost of international shipping and customs fees, through a donation to Gifts for Gracias. (Check the box next to Gifts for Gracias under the Special Project section).
Thank you so much for your kindness to the pastors in Honduras and their families!