Making Christmas Merry

We picked up ornaments from around the Jesse Tree. We brought back gifts. We know that the items would go to low income families in Sarpy County, but exactly how does that work?

All the items were brought to the Bellevue Christian Center. The items were categorized onto tables.Then, parents had a turn to come into the center and choose items for their children.

 As each of these people shopped, there was a volunteer nearby with a box.

These volunteers would explain how many items they could get from each category and carried the items around for them.

Once the presents were chosen, more volunteers were on hand to wrap the presents.

 While families waited, there was coffee, hot chocolate ...

 ... cookies and soup.

 So while they waited for the wrapping,

 families had a place to relax and eat.

Thank you to everyone who brought 

gifts or were a part of making

 Christmas Merry for families this year.

(Only volunteers were phototgraphed.)

Gift Giving

The tags on the Jesse Tree in the narthex ...

 ... were transformed into gifts as families brought 

items for those in need in Sarpy County.

 These were gathered ...

 ... sorted ...

 ... boxed ...

... and readied to get to those who need them.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen!

Gift Giving Sunday

This morning parishioners dropped off

 bags of items as they arrived for Mass.

They were then sorted into groups.

 

 

The gifts were then bagged and prepared for transport to the Sarpy County Christmas Center. There parents and children of need, with the help of a volunteer, choose two toys and a new item of clothing for each of their children.

Thank you for your help!

Our Giving Tree

In the Commons of the church, you will find our “Giving Tree”. We join with other churches and organizations in our community to provide NEW clothing and toys to hundreds of children at the Sarpy County Christmas Center.

The parents of these children will be able to attend the Center and, with the help of a volunteer, choose two toys and a new item of clothing for each of their children. Last year, the Christmas Center was able to help 836 children and 154 teens from 355 families. The ornaments on the “Giving Tree” identify toys, clothing and gift certificates (gift certificates are for the teens). These items can range in price from $5 - $35. You may take as many ornaments as you wish or simply shop for your own gifts in these price ranges.

Unwrapped gifts are then returned to the church this weekend. We will also collect some food items, personal care items and donations for the Tri-City Food Pantry that serves these families. Supermarket gift certificates will also be collected. Remember that gift certificates can be purchased through the C.A.R.E. volunteers after all Masses.

If you do not want to purchase gifts this year, we also have the opportunity to donate to the following two funds: Sarpy County Adult Crisis Fund, which is used to meet the needs of local seniors for rent, utilities, medications, etc., and Sarpy County Children’s Fund, which is used to purchase additional toys needed for the Christmas Center.

Our parish has been supporting this project for many years. Our neighbors who receive your gifts are so very grateful. You touch the lives of so many children and their families.

Helping Habitat

Churches in Sarpy County are joining together to build a Habitat House on Childs Road. St. Columbkille Parish was asked to raise is asked to provide the windows & doors for the “church build” house. The cost is $3,250.00. After Masses last weekend donations were collected.

You generously donated

$4,294

And perhaps even better 26 people signed up to help with the church build. Anyone still interested in helping can contact Sr. Jean Marie Faltus.

God bless everyone who helped!

In the Spirit of St. Nicholas...

After every Mass last weekend there were piles

like this of items bought from parishioner who

picked out an ornament on the Giving Tree.

This is the 20th year our parish has worked with the Sarpy County Christmas Center to help those in need. Our parish's assistance is so significant and we are listed on their letterhead.

We sorted and compiled the donations given in the parish. If you haven't had a chance to drop your items off yet, they can be received here through Thursday.

These items will be combined with items from other community organizations. At a one-day event, parents of the families who qualify through Family Services can come to pick out a toy and an item of clothing for their children to open on Christmas morning.

On this day where the Church remembers

St. Nicholas, we want to thank everyone

 who donated or helped in any way!

Gift Giving

Last weekend a variety of items were brought

 to the church as part of Gift Giving Sunday.

 During Masses those items were brought to the Social Level and sorted.

 

These are all being transported to the Sarpy County Christmas Center. The parents of families in need will, with the help of a volunteer, choose two toys and a new item of clothing for each of their children. Last year the Christmas Center was able to help 838 children and 153 teens from 333 families.

Thank you for your generosity!