Use this guide to explore all the ways you can give of yourself during the holiday season. You and your family may sign up for as many projects as you’d like, and each “Project Angel” will contact you after Nov. 1 with additional details. All sign-ups and payments are completed online at westlake-umc.org/CIO.Financial donations will be doubled by the “Mission Match” program. Registration and contributions deadline is November 1.

The mission of Street Youth Ministry (SYM) is to know, love, and serve street-dependent youth. What better way to share the Christmas message of God’s love than by supporting this compassionate nonprofit in their outreach efforts? You can write or draw notes of encouragement, donate funds, or help assemble “Outreach Bags” (soap, toothpaste, and other essentials) for young people who have no place to call home this holiday season. Financial gifts allow us to buy items in bulk to fill 200 bags. All are invited to join on Sunday, Nov. 9 at the church to assemble the bags with notes inside. From your hands to their hearts! Project Angel: Erin Cowden

Donate funds to purchase warm, waterproof items to share with our homeless brothers and sisters this winter. Another way to spread holiday cheer is by serving through our Mobile Loaves & Fishes (MLF) food ministry. During the holiday season, when many regular volunteers are away, we invite you to “take a test drive” on one of our teams. The “make ready” shift is perfect for families with children or grandchildren age 6 and older. To join a “delivery” shift on the truck, volunteers must be 18 or older (12–17 with a guardian). Project Angels: Tom Cornelius & Gabe Gammache

Last year, the Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) provided nearly 54 million meals for our neighbors facing hunger—a 29% increase over the prior year. More than 80% of recipients reported having to choose between buying food and medicine. You can help fight hunger by joining a WUMC team for a 2.5-hour shift to prepare for extra holiday demand. We’ll carpool to the CTFB facility on Metropolis Drive on Tuesday, Nov. 11 for the 6:00–8:30 pm shift to inspect, sort, clean, box, and prepare nutritious food for distribution across 21 counties. Volunteers age 8 and older are welcome with an adult. Project Angel: Judi Burke

Many families served by Any Baby Can (ABC) struggle to meet basic needs, and the added stress of a child at risk can make the holidays overwhelming. You can brighten their Christmas by adding individuals from these families to your gift list. Select, purchase, and wrap new gifts from a suggested needs/wish list for each person, or donate funds and a Project Angel will shop and wrap on your behalf. Please bring wrapped and labeled gifts to WUMC by Wednesday, Dec. 3. Project Angels: Dugie Graham & Shevawn Eisman

Foster families must navigate the complex systems and unique challenges that come with caring for children from hard places. With food assistance programs like EBT and WIC harder to access, we can help fill the gap. Local nonprofit Foster Village (FV) works to break down barriers many foster, kinship, and re-unified families face when saying yes to children in need of a loving home. You can ease this transition by providing kid-friendly groceries yourself or donating funds for us to purchase items. Each meal kit will include shelf-stable food and an HEB gift card in a reusable shopping bag. Elves of all ages are invited to help assemble the kits at the church from 4:30–5:30 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 18. Project Angel: Anna Balthazar

It Starts With Soccer (ISWS) is committed to providing children in rural Africa the opportunity to receive a good education not only in the classroom but also through real-world job skills training. ISWS supports rural communities with educational supplies and sustainable school farms, including greenhouses, community gardens, orchards, solar-powered water wells, and livestock. The orchards provide food for students and the community, while also creating shade that helps other crops thrive in an increasingly dry climate. Soccer clinics at rural schools connect the beloved sport to lessons on teamwork and the value of education. The nonprofit was founded by Doug Brown, son of Bill and Becky Games. Pastors Nicka and Talent, who operate the ministry in Zimbabwe, visit WUMC during their trips to the U.S. every few years. Project Angel: Becky Games

Belt out your favorite Christmas carols with members of the WUMC choir at a local senior living community on Saturday, Dec. 6. We’ll provide everything you need for a festive sing-along—song sheets, a basket of percussion instruments, and some playful Christmas hats. Bring your friends and family (all ages are welcome, and residents especially enjoy seeing young children!) to make a joyful noise. The more the merrier as we delight our older neighbors! Christmas sweaters optional. Project Angel: Jill Rutherford

What better way to say “You are loved!” to college students than with a warm, hearty meal? Each week, about 40 students gather at Texas Wesley, the United Methodist campus ministry, to share dinner before staying for worship and community activities. Leftovers are passed along to the West Campus Collective, which supports students facing food insecurity. You are invited to donate funds to provide the meal or join the team on campus to transport and set up dinner on Dec. 4. Project Angel: Mary Lou Batlan

Shop (or donate and we’ll shop for you) for toys, books, games, or puzzles for children in need identified by the Travis County Sheriff’s Department. Gifts may be for boys or girls, ages newborn to 14. You can also purchase directly from the Brown Santa Amazon wishlist, which will be shared with everyone who signs up. Drop NEW, UNWRAPPED items in the Brown Santa collection box at WUMC. For even more fun, join WUMC as a family or group of friends to help wrap and sort gifts at the Brown Santa warehouse—a perfect activity for elves of all ages! Project Angels: Katie Ruback & Kay Trostle

Share what Christmas is like in their new country by creating holiday baskets for refugees and asylum seekers served by Casa Marianella. Each laundry basket will be lined with a festive tablecloth and filled with baked goods, non-perishable foods, fresh fruit, Christmas decorations, and a gift card. Please deliver baked goods to the narthex between Wednesday, Dec. 10 and Sunday, Dec. 14. All are welcome to help assemble the baskets after worship on Dec. 14, and extra hands able to lift heavier items are especially appreciated. Project Angel: Ann Finch

Holiday Bingo is a cherished tradition at the Mobile Loaves & Fishes Community First! Village (CFV). This year, WUMC is partnering with Temple Beth Shalom to provide and serve the evening meal on Sunday, Dec. 7. WUMC volunteers will also assist with Bingo games and share fellowship with residents. Financial contributions are needed to help provide prizes for the Bingo winners. Mary Lou and Bob Batlan

Change the trajectory of a young person’s life and strengthen our community! Help us provide gifts for youth participating in the Transformative Youth Justice program, a court-led diversion initiative operated by Travis County Justice Court #6. These young people are being given a second chance. Many lack family support, face hunger and housing insecurity, and may otherwise receive no holiday gifts this year. Let’s show them they are not forgotten, that they matter, and that they are still beloved children of God with a loving community standing beside them. Join us to assemble 100 gift bags on Sunday, Dec. 7 at the church. All ages are welcome! Project Angel: Ann Finch

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