A big thank you to everyone who helped us with our Holiday Gift Bag project this
year. We couldn’t have done it without your generosity and our many helpers.
Bag filling began early this year as we teamed up with the Twisted Sisters knitting,
crocheting and sewing group to fill over 50 bags for the Hope Mission Recovery
Homes. The Twisted Sisters provided beautiful stockings, stocking stuffers galore
and knit scarf and hat sets. UCF donated $25 Walmart gift cards and greeting
cards as well as bag stuffing power.

On December 3 before the worship service our children and families filled bags
(many of which were knit or crocheted by the Twisted Sisters) for Beach House
which provides services for adults with severe and persistent mental illness. Each
bag contained a hand-made item from the Twisted Sisters, a $25 Walmart gift
card and oral hygiene items or socks.
And finally, after the December 3 service, with lots of help from everyone, we
filled over 40 bags for the clients and staff of Empower, the organization close to
UCF on Church Street providing services for adults with developmental
disabilities. These bags were delivered and passed out at the Christmas Caroling
party we held at Empower on December 12. Everyone there was so appreciative.
We were also able to provide some Walmart gift cards and hand-made items to
the Carteret Long Term Recovery Alliance which helps families recover from
disasters.
With everyone helping, we have made the holidays a better time for over 110 individuals and families.