Happenings in Social Justice

The Social Justice Committee has been busy this year with the following activites

• collected and distributed blankets and fans to the needy,

• collected used furniture and given to the needy,

• collected used bicycles and taken them to Ellsworth correctional facility so they can repair them and then we receive some back to give to the needy,

• collected wheelchairs and walkers and taken them to Ellsworth correctional facility to have them refurbished and they distribute these overseas to the needy,

• collected blank cassette tapes and golden books for the Ellsworth correctional facility for their program where inmates that are fathers with small children can record themselves reading a golden book and then send it home for their young children to follow and listen to daddy read them a book,

• raised money for our White River Arizona sister parish,

• had the Ellsworth prison team come down and meet with the PSR children,

Thank you for your hard work.

SOCIAL JUSTICE — STEWARDSHIP AT WORK
It is that time of year again for our Social Justice Committee’s 11th Annual Christmas Drive. Each year we have
joined with the Chaplaincy Department at the Ellsworth Correctional Facility in an attempt to make the Christmas
holiday a little brighter for inmates incarcerated at the facility by providing Christmas packages. We are soliciting
donations of items from the list below or monetary donations which can be used to purchase items for these packages.
Christmas is a very lonely time in prison and the packages provided are really appreciated by the inmates, as nothing
can be sent to them at Christmas time. Since funds for this project cannot be obtained from state resources, we must
rely on your generosity. This is our chance to show those men that we do believe in them and encourage them to turn
their lives around. As we learned in Matthew 26: 34-44, " The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did
for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." I would encourage you read these verses.
Where assistance is needed is as follows:
Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Shampoo, Small candy bars, Chips (individual size), Cheese/peanut butter
crackers (small packages), Cookies, Cupcakes (i.e. Little Debbies that are individually wrapped), Bars of
soap (regular size), Bags of individually wrapped hard candy, Men's deodorant.
Please donate whatever you feel appropriate. If you prefer to donate monetarily instead of actual items, checks
should be made payable to "Inmates Benefit Fund-Christmas" and may be dropped off at the church office or
may be given to Tom Garland 672-5897. With the monetary donations, the Chaplains will purchase some of the
needed items. We will be providing a drop box near the church entrance in which you may drop off your
Christmas items or you may call Tom Garland, 672-5897 for pick up. Our deadline is Sunday, December 16.