Christmas Bag Project 2014

Sidewalk Sunday School Christmas Project 2014

Thanks to numerous churches in 2013 we were able to provide filled gift bags, gift cards, stuffed animals and a few baby items to many children.

However., last year’s need for filled gift bags was greater than the number promised unfortunately.

With your help in 2014 we can meet or exceed those needs.

Individuals, as well as church or church groups, are encouraged to help with this project sponsored by the Desert Southwest Conference.

Guidelines for filling will be reviewed in the next several slides. Even if you have read the guidelines in previous years, please take time to review them again as some of the information has changed. Near the end of the slide show you will find pictures from the 2013 distribution.

The guidelines for purchasing and filling bags have been formed over the years to make the process easier. Your help in following them is appreciated. A list of these guidelines is also available in document form and it is suggested that all those who plan to fill read them carefully.

Thank you!

The suggested gift list for the bags remains the same as previous years. However, these are just suggestions. Almost anything that children would like is appreciated as long as the items fit in the appropriate size bag. Of course there are a few items that are not appropriate. Those items will be addressed later in this slide show.

SUGGESTED GIFT ITEMS FOR 3 TO 12 YEAR OLDS

PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL THE ITEMS ARE AGE APPROPRIATE

crayons & coloring books anything art related markers simple craft kits small toys comic books, story books sports cards – boys sports memorabilia balls small hand held games games puzzles dolls – girls Beanie babies activity books story books match box cars – boys Nerf toys Christmas pens/pencils Christmas socks jacks, marbles jump ropes hair items Christian items (cross, jewelry, books) small stuffed animals jewelry

Anything fun that a child would like!!

• Appropriate bag sizes are: no smaller than 8 by 10 no larger than 10 by 13.

• Purchase paper or cloth bags in the

appropriate size that come decorated for Christmas or plain red or green ones. Decorated bags for birthdays or other holidays are not appropriate.

• The width of bags will vary according to manufacture and are likely to be anywhere from 3 to 5 inches wide. This is okay.

Note - If we receive bags larger than the appropriate size we will divide the contents into other bags. It just wouldn’t be right to give one child an oversized bag while the others receive the requested sizes.

• Please use the following three age categories when filling and tagging the bags.

3 – 4 years olds 5 – 8 years olds 9 – 12 years olds • Bags may be for either a girl or a boy

but must be marked for which gender and age the bag is intended.

• Note: No filled bags are needed for teens* or babies.

*(We have several churches that donate the gift cards for the teens.)

• Fill the bags with NEW, UNBROKEN TOYS or other new items. Please make sure there are no missing parts.

• Unless accompanied by larger, better quality items, little trinket type toys are not appropriate.

• Important -- Do NOT include items such as knives, razors or anything that could be used as or resembles a weapon.

• Tie gift cards to the bag that indicate the age of the child the gift is intended for and the gender.

• Please do not use staples, tape or pins. Pins and staples could hurt the child. Taped tags often come off.

• A flash light or watch needs batteries, coloring books need crayons, a water color book needs a brush, etc. Please include the companion item.

Often the children do not have the money to buy the items they need to be able to use those gifts.

• Candy in the bags is okay, as long as

the candy isn’t left over from another holiday such as Halloween, Easter, etc. Chocolate and peanut candy should NOT be included due to possible allergies.

• Please, no small candy pieces for the

3 to 4 year olds (or toys with small parts).

• Monetary gift cards should NOT be placed in the bags along with gifts.

Children don’t understand when other children receive a gift card in their bag but they don’t.

• Gifts in the bags should be un-wrapped. Tissue paper on top of the gifts is okay.

• Do not attach items to the outside of

the bag. This makes transporting them difficult.

• Make sure that the gifts in the bag are appropriate for the age and gender marked on the tag.

• Fill the bags well. For some of these children the bag is the only Christmas gift they may get.

If you can’t fill a whole bag, share the joy – ask someone to go in with you in filling it.

Needless to say, all of the bags can not be identical but it is important that they be well-filled and appropriate.

Thanks to volunteers the bags are checked, sorted and counted to ready them for distribution. We’d love to have help from some other churches this

year. Won’t YOU consider helping?

A few medium size stuffed animals are also needed for the toddlers.

These examples have a 12 inch ruler in the picture to give an idea of the size needed.

Your understanding and help is appreciated.

These guidelines are not meant to discourage anyone from filling bags. They are meant to prevent additional work for the volunteers and to keep the children from being disappointed.

If you have any questions regarding the filling of bags please don’t hesitate to email the Christmas Project Coordinator, Bev Secrist at: bevsecrist@cox.net or phone 480-345-9420

If your church would like to help this year or provide bags please contact Bev Secrist at 480-345-9420 or email: bevsecrist@cox.net You may still participate on your own even if your church isn’t. Please contact Bev at the above number or email. Reminder - a list of the guidelines is available in document form and it is suggested that all who plan to fill read them carefully. Contact Bev (see above) for a copy. A DVD of this slide show is also available.

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NOVEMBER 2014

Please consider this commitment carefully. Please provide what you promise. This information needs to be in no later than November 1st.

Commitments before this date are most welcome and encouraged!

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DECEMBER 2014

Churches in the Central East and Central West Districts are to deliver their gifts to the United Methodist Conference Center, 1500 E. Meadowbrook Ave., Phoenix, 84014 on December 1.

Please deliver

between 9:30 AM

and 3:00 PM.

Space is limited at the Conference Center in Phoenix – thus there is no place to store items ahead of time. Please take this into consideration when you make a commitment and delivery arrangements. December 1 between 9:30 AM and 3:00 PM is the ONLY time and date bags may be delivered Your understanding is appreciated.

Churches in the North and South Districts will have a location in their districts that will receive their gifts. Location, date, and contact person to be announced. Contact Bev Secrist at 480-345-9420 or bevsecrist@cox.net for more information. We are in need of more churches from these two districts to participate in filling bags.

Delivering filled bags to the ….

Methodist Conference Center in Phoenix

Checking the bags

Filling additional bags to make up the deficit.

All checked and ready for pick up.

Site directors and volunteers loading filled bags into vehicles to take to the Sidewalk sites.

Sidewalk Trucks

Opening one of the trucks to create a stage.

A thank- you note from some of the children.

Happy smiles are also the thanks we receive when the

bags are distributed

Photo used by permission.

Thank you from all the children and the Sidewalk Sunday School volunteers.

THE END!