Snow will soon be in the air and the joy of the Christmas
will be upon us… let’s spread the gladness of the season by joining in the
Share the Joy Christmas Drive held by the Twelve Baskets Ministry. With toy/gift availability uncertain due to
well-publicized supply chain issues and COVID-19 cautiousness by the receiving
agencies, this Drive will remain virtual in 2021. There are tangible options available for gift
giving to three worthy agencies we have long assisted at Christmas. You can help by choosing one of them listed
below ON or BEFORE Sunday, December 5th.
Option 1: Risen Christ School's "Adopt-A-Family"
Risen Christ
lost a sponsoring benefactor this year for their Adopt-a-Family Christmas
event. So instead of providing uniforms as we have in the past, we agreed to
assist them with their most at risk school families. They seek gift cards to Aldi or Walmart in denominations of $25 or $50 each. All donations will be used for basic needs
such as food, clothing, household items, bedding, etc. A gift of $50 would support one person and $200
would support a family of four- sponsor one person or more – it’s completely up
to you! How to give? Either:
- To contribute any amount to
a fund for gift cards - CLICK HERE.
- Purchase Aldi or Walmart cards and drop
them off at the Pax Christi office or the Lock Box on the wall near the
Reception Desk at Door #3.
Option 2: Children of Gichitwaa Kateri Church
Pax Christi has provided Christmas presents for the Faith
Formation students Christmas party at Kateri for more than a decade. After discussion with Kateri staff, gift cards are the best option because
of supply chain issues this year. If you
would like to contribute to a fund to purchase Target/Walmart Gift cards
for the kids - CLICK HERE.
NOTE: By
creating one fund, it ensures we can divide the donations equally amongst the
children.
Option 3: St. Stephen's Men's Shelter/House of Charity (recently merged)
The needs of the homeless they serve are for “the basics”
and give comfort in difficult living situations. Their Staff stated they “can never have too
many of these items in December”. They
have an Amazon Charity List online - CLICK HERE to view this list. Items
you purchase will be sent directly to the charity.
It’s also fine to shop for similar items at
another retailer like Target or Costco that can ship DIRECTLY to: St. Stephen’s main office 2309 Nicollet
Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404. St.
Stephen’s requests you note on the Gift Receipt (from Amazon, Target
or Costco) you are from Pax Christi.
Finally, if you don’t want to deal with all the technology
simply send, or bring, a check to the office at Pax Christi by November 30th (so we have time to shop) with a note in the memo line stating, “Share the Joy”,
and we will put your funds to use where giving was lightest. As always, thank you for your generosity and Merry Christmas.