CHILDREN DONATE BLANKETS FOR LATIN AMERICAN KIDS
JULY 12, 2006
LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. – Nights are chilly in the mountains of Latin America. Children from low-income families may shiver and wonder if anyone cares. Soon, thanks to an outreach project from kids at Lee’s Summit Community Church (1440 S.W. Jefferson), they’ll wrap themselves in warm blankets and know with certainty that others do care.
Operation Kid to Kid is an international outreach project that Lee’s Summit Community Church is doing during vacation Bible school, July 17-21. The project’s theme, “Blanket the World with Jesus’ Love,” is expressed by sending blankets to children in Latin America.
The colorful, two-layer fleece blankets are printed with “Jesus Loves Me” in Spanish and English. Before they are distributed by the project’s originator, International Bible Society, children from Lee’s Summit will tie fringe on each blanket and wrap it around an illustrated Bible book. The finished blankets will be taken by adult volunteers to a central location for shipment.
Patty McWilliams, director of vacation Bible school, and her team set the goal of completing 140 blankets. They offered sponsorship to the membership of Lee’s Summit Community Church at $10 per blanket.
“We had planned to promote blanket sponsorship through the summer, but in one weekend we received funds for 230 blankets,” she says. “When I heard that, I was speechless but not surprised. Lee’s Summit Community Church has always been very caring and generous in helping others.”
Because the church has begun a Hispanic ministry, about a dozen blankets will be kept on hand to share with Latino children in the community, a gesture the International Bible Society encourages.
“This is our first year for an international service project,” Patty says. “This project caught our attention because it’s child-friendly and something the kids can work on in pairs or small groups.”
David Holmes, director of Children’s Ministries, says international outreach will be a continuing theme for kids at Lee’s Summit Community Church.
“It’s important for children to see beyond themselves and the walls of their church,” he says. “Jesus said to love our neighbors and we’re committed to doing that. Kids can amaze you with their empathy and enthusiasm to help others.”
An annual service project for vacation Bible school is collecting new school supplies for Lee’s Summit Social Services to distribute. This project teaches kids sensitivity, thankfulness and generosity. About 400 children are expected to participate this year.
Vacation Bible school is July 17-21, from 9 a.m. to noon each day. Registrations, which are free, can be made through the church office at 816.524.6786 or at the door.
Contact |
Please contact Roy Harryman, director of communications, for more information at 816.524.6786 x104.