| For
the past seven years, members of
Arlington Heights United
Methodist Church have had the
opportunity to choose alternative
giving of gifts at Christmas
time. Our annual G.I.F.T.
Shop has become a popular
event.
Held
in our Atrium in early November,
several area non-profit agencies are invited
to set up their "booth"
where members may make
donation gifts
in honor of someone for whom they
would be buying a gift.
These gift donations may be
"named", for example, a
week of meals from Meals on
Wheels, or a Teddy Bear from
Alliance for Children, or a winter
coat from Lena Pope Home, or a
ceiling fan from Habitat for
Humanity, or a flock of chicks
from Heifer Project International. Agencies provide
gift cards to be presented to the
friend or family member stating
that this gift donation has been given in
their name.
Everyone
is a winner! The giver is
able to avoid much of the mall mob
by shopping during G.I.F.T. Shop,
the receiver has something truly
meaningful and lasting, and the agency benefits
from the donations received. Representatives from each of the
participating agencies are
recognized during our 10:50
worship service.
In 2005, a film crew from United
Methodist Communications
produced a video of our G.I.F.T.
Shop event. You may view
this video by clicking this
link:
www.umtv.org/archives/gifts_that_go_beyond.htm
For info regarding G.I.F.T.
Shop, please contact
Dawn Poston |
