The Holidays are right around the corner and at the Mission we will be helping out where and when we can and always appreciate your donations of time and money.
This year, we have many wonderful ways for you to reach out to those in need and the Christmas season is also a great time to intentionally reach the lost and the broken with your light and love.
Many of these events are being co-sponsored by a grant from the Salvation Army. Our local chapter doesn't have a regular office, but we are members, so when you see us ringing the bells this year, please help us out and know that all money raised through bell ringing stays directly in Grant County to help those in need right here at home. (the grant for these events, comes from the National organization and not our bell ringing efforts).
A Few Of Our Public Events This Season Are:
On Oct. 24 we started taking names for around 20 Thanksgiving Baskets for needy families.
These baskets will be put together at 9 am on Monday, Nov 19 and handed out at 1:30 pm that same day. They include turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, rolls, stuffing, green beans and a dessert. We try and gather enough for a large family gathering and we get together with other area organizations and churches that also hand out baskets and compare names, so there are no duplicates and we can serve more families. We always prefer that a family stays at home together for Thanksgiving rather than come in to the soup kitchen for dinner.
We will begin prepping for Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday, Nov 23 at 1:30 pm, and cooking continues at 7 am on Thanksgiving Day with the actual dinner being served between 11 am and 1 pm with a cleanup afterwards.
This is always a big event and the folks that actually have to come in are always very appreciative. We need help with cooking a full turkey dinner with all of the trimmings, serving, cleaning up, home made desserts, live music and more if anyone is interested.
On Friday, Nov 25 we will be handing out turkey sandwiches in the parking lot and the soup kitchen will be closed to give paid staff a break.
That Saturday, which is Nov 26, we will meet at the Mission to put the finishing touches on our lighted Christmas Parade float and the parade will start at 7 pm if anyone is interested in riding or lending their expertise.
Monday, December 5, we will begin taking names for 20 more families who need turkey baskets for Christmas.
Thursday, December 8, we hold an annual Christmas Party for the Sixth Street School kids who take a field trip to the Mission so they can become more familiar with our services. While here, they will see Santa Claus, receive gifts, do some arts and crafts and have a few refreshments. This is always a fun, but hectic time and any help is always appreciated.
On Tuesday, December 6, 13 and 20 between 10 am and 6 pm, we will be ringing bells at WalMart for the Salvation Army. This helps our local extension committee with funds to use throughout the year and we use these funds for many needs that we cannot meet directly at the Mission. This is always a fun time, with music, singing and even dancing by some of our more enthusiastic ringers. The ladies from our women's shelter and our WNMU Social interns will be taking Dec 6, but if you would like to help on Dec 13 or 20, please give us a call.
On Monday, December 19 at 9 am we will put together our Christmas baskets which will be handed out that same day at 1:30 pm. We will also be wrapping Christmas presents that same day which will be handed out to the adults and kids who come in for Dinner on Christmas Day.
Our annual Christmas Dinner is on Sunday, December 25. We will begin prepping for Christmas Dinner on Saturday, Dec 24 at 1:30 pm, and cooking continues at 7 am on Christmas Day with the actual dinner being served between 11 am and 1 pm with a cleanup afterwards.
And once again, we will need help with cooking a full turkey dinner with all of the trimmings, serving, cleaning up, home made desserts, live music and more if anyone is interested.
And rounding out the year, turkey sandwiches will also be handed out on Monday, Dec 26 in the Mission parking lot and the Mission will be partially closed until Monday, January 2 to regroup, rest, and clean (stay tuned closer to that week for our after-Christmas schedule).
Please give us a call or drop by if you would like to help in any way or if you would like to personally sponsor an entire family with their holiday needs throughout this season.
And if you would like to help us financially, you can drop your cash or checks off at the Mission Monday through Friday between 8:30 am and 1:30 pm, mail them to Silver City Gospel Mission PO Box 5198 Silver City. NM 8862 or donate online via credit or debit card on our website at http://www.silvercitygospelmission.org
God bless, and may you and your loved ones have a very Happy thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas!
Randy Salars
Executive Director