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.

Street Youth Ministry (SYM) knows, loves and serves street-dependent youth. What better way to spread the Christmas message of God’s love than by supporting this compassionate nonprofit in its outreach? Participate in a clothing drive, write notes of encouragement, or donate funds to supply items for “Outreach Bags”. These bags, filled with deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, etc., are given to young people under age 26 who have no place to call home this holiday season. All are welcome to join in on Sunday, November 8th, at the church to sort the clothes and assemble the Outreach Bags with notes inside. From your hands to their hearts! Project Angel: Erin Cowden

Holiday Bingo is a beloved tradition at the Mobile Loaves & Fishes’ Community First! Village (CFV). WUMC is partnering with Temple Beth Shalom to serve a Thanksgiving meal and enjoy an evening of fellowship on Saturday, Nov. 14th. Financial donations are needed for Bingo game prizes. Project Angels: Mary Lou and Bob 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. Your gifts can 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 off the NEW, UNWRAPPED item(s) at WUMC in the Brown Santa collection box. Have more fun as a family or group of friends by wrapping and sorting gifts at the Brown Santa warehouse. Perfect for fun-loving elves of all ages! Project Angels: Katie Ruback & Kay Trostle

Helping Hand Home (HHH) lovingly serves children who have experienced complex trauma. They bring hope and healing to families through a continuum of trauma informed, therapeutic care including residential, foster, adoption and support services. A licensed foster care agency, Helping Hand Home makes emergency placements of foster children into homes on nearly a daily basis. WUMC is supplying children in HHH’s foster care and the residential programs on 38th Street with cozy holiday pajamas to wrap them in hugs, snuggles, and Christmas love. Donate holiday pajamas from size infant to adult large and everything in between. Project Angels: Anna and Matt Balthazar

For families struggling to meet basic needs, the holidays can bring even more stress, especially when a child is facing serious challenges. You can help lighten that load and brighten Christmas for families served by Any Baby Can (ABC). Select, purchase and wrap new gifts from a suggested needs/wish list for each child or family member, or donate funds and a Project Angel will shop and wrap for you. Bring WRAPPED and LABELED gifts to WUMC by Wednesday, December 2. Project Angels: Shevawn Eisman & Annette VanDeWerken

It Starts With Soccer (ISWS) is committed to the goal of providing children in rural Africa the opportunity to get a good education not only in the classroom, but also in real-world situations through job skills training. ISWS addresses both by providing 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 the students and community and provide shade so other crops in the outdoor gardens can thrive in their increasingly drier climate. ISWS uses soccer clinics at rural schools to relate the beloved sport to the importance of teamwork and getting a good education. The nonprofit was founded by Doug Brown, son of Bill and Becky Games. Pastors Nyika and Talent, who operate the ministry in Zimbabwe, visit WUMC on their trips to the U.S. every few years. Project Angel: Becky Games

This Christmas, help bring JOY, HOPE, and LOVE to over 100 young people ages 17-20 participating in Travis County’s Transformative Youth Justice (TYJ) program. These young people are being given a second chance by the justice system, yet many face hunger, housing insecurity, and little or no family support. Your donations may provide the only Christmas gifts they receive this year. Let’s remind them that they are seen, they matter, they are beloved children of God, and that their community cares! On Sunday, Nov. 29th in the church gym, we will assemble 100 Christmas bundles filled with practical gifts and encouragement. Be inspired and see the difference your love can make by distributing the gifts to the young people at their monthly gathering on Dec. 3rd at the Long Center downtown. All ages welcome! Project Angel: Ann Finch

Belt out your favorite Christmas carols with members of the WUMC choir at a local Senior Living Community on Saturday, Dec. 5th. We’ll have everything you need for a festive sing-along:  song sheets, a basket of percussion instruments and some crazy Christmas hats. Just bring-along your friends and family (all ages; residents especially love seeing young children!) to make a joyful noise. The more the merrier as we delight our older friends! Attire is Christmas sweater optional. Project Angel: Jill Rutherford

Engage your Christmas spirit and help provide baskets of Christmas blessings for refugees and asylum seekers who are former residents of Casa Marianella (CM). Each basket will be dressed for the holidays with a festive tablecloth and filled with homemade (or purchased) baked goods, special food treats, fresh fruit, Christmas decorations (new or gently used) and a gift card. It’s a basket overflowing with Christmas cheer to welcome new neighbors. Baked goods are due in the church narthex between Wednesday, Dec. 16th and Sunday, Dec. 20th. All are welcome to help with basket assembly on Dec. 20th. Elves who can lift heavier items are especially needed. Project Angel: Ann Finch

Several members of our community will not be able to attend Christmas activities and services due to physical limitations. However, you can take Christmas cheer to them with a short visit and delivery of one of the beautiful poinsettias that will decorate our sanctuary during the holiday season. The plants can be picked up any time after the last Christmas Eve service for delivery between Dec. 25 and Dec. 28. Names and addresses of our unwillingly absent friends will be provided. Mary Lou and Bob Batlan

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