Please join us in providing holiday cheer for children supported by our Mentor Program, Kids Central, Inc., Shepherd’s Lighthouse, and the Refuge at Jumper Creek by selecting a tag from one of the Christmas trees in the East or West Narthex. A sign-up sheet is provided to ensure that we can keep track of the tags and gifts.

You can participate in this giving opportunity by:

• Purchasing the items listed on the gift tag, or sending a check made out to New Covenant United Methodist Church with Christmas Wish Tree on the subject line. Please return all gifts by Friday, October 31.

Below is a brief description of the work of each ministry/organization:

• Kids Central, Inc. – Kids Central’s Prevention Program provides support services to children and families in Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties to promote well-being, safety, and health. These families are also referred to other community organizations and resources to strengthen the family unit and build strong neighborhoods.

• Shepherd’s Lighthouse – Shepherd’s Lighthouse provides temporary, transitional housing for homeless, single teenage mothers and their children.

• The Refuge at Jumper Creek – The Refuge at Jumper Creek provides transitional housing and helps homeless families improve the quality of their lives through support and educational development.

• Wildwood Middle High School Mentor Program – A partnership between New Covenant and students at Wildwood Middle High School that provides mentoring for 40 students, and focuses on the physical, spiritual, academic/career, and behavioral well-being of each student.