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Missions |
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International Opportunities Matagalpa, Nicaragua In January or 2009, Western Hills will partner with First UMC of Big Spring, Texas and take team to the coffee plantations of Matagalpa, Nicaragua. The combined efforts of our team will cover construction, medical needs, and education. Our team slots are already filled, however, we are accepting donations for Spanish Bibles, markers, crayons, pencils and other items. Donation: Money and supplies Commitment: January 14-21, 2009 Contact: Andi Wallace, 845-8187, mseditor2@aol.com Special Skills/Needs: None Minimum Age: 15
Operación Hogar, Mexico The El Paso District of Operación Hogar takes a team annually to build houses in Juárez through Operación Hogar. Western Hills provides volunteers for this weeklong trip, which will build multiple houses. Reservations must be made by Sunday, Oct. 14. Donation: Time, labor, and money Commitment: Oct. 28 – Friday, Nov. 2 Contact: Rev. Bill Case, 584-2133, associate524@sbcglobal.net Special Skills/Needs: None Minimum Age: 15
Heifer Project During the year, the children of Western Hills ask for donations to help fund the purchase of animals to distribute to third-world countries. Donation: Money to purchase animals Commitment: Fall Contact: Jennifer Petty, 584-2133 Special Skills/Needs: None Minimum Age: N/A
Local Opportunities Lydia Patterson Institute This fully-functioning middle and high school educates young people from around the world, mainly focusing on children from Juárez, Mexico. Over 90% of the students graduate and go on to higher educational opportunities. Western Hills supports this school financially to fund scholarships. Donation: Money for scholarships Commitment: N/A Contact: Rev. Bill Case, 584-2133, associate524@sbcglobal.net Special Skills/Needs: N/A Minimum Age: N/A |
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Food Pantry On the first Sunday of each month, food donations are collected and distributed to various agencies throughout El Paso. You may place your items in the blue box in the Narthex; please clearly mark your donations for the Food Pantry. Non-perishable food may be dropped off on any day of the week. Donation: Non-perishable food items Commitment: Any day of the week Contact: B.A. Hallum, 581-6866 Special Skills/Needs: N/A Minimum Age: N/A
Thanksgiving Food Blessing Non-perishable food is accepted for the Food Blessing during the month of November up to the Sunday before Thanksgiving. You may bring your items to the donation box in the Narthex. On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, you may bring perishable food including meats, and other perishable items. The food is sorted that afternoon and delivered to designated families who have been recommended by Houchen Community Center. Other agencies such as the Rescue Mission, Opportunity Center, and Salvation Army will benefit from this event, providing the amount of donations. Please clearly mark your donation for the Food Blessing. Donation: Food items, including perishables, people to sort/deliver food Commitment: November up to the Sunday before Thanksgiving 4-6 people to help sort and deliver the food Contact: Gail Houllion, 584-7038, houllion@sbcglobal.net Special Skills/Needs: N/A Minimum Age: Deliverers need a driver license
Houchen Community Center Thanksgiving Dinner Western Hills Youth, along with adult chaperones, join with other Methodist Youth of El Paso to prepare and serve a community dinner for approximately 600 people at Houchen Community Center on the Thursday before Thanksgiving. Donation: Time Commitment: Thursday before Thanksgiving Contact: Kathy Goerrs, 584-2133 Special Skills/Needs: N/A Minimum Age - 7th grade
Houchen Baby Shower Situated in El Segundo Barrio, Houchen Community Center mainly works with low-income families. It has a constant need for baby supplies for its 16 rooms which provide infant care. A display crib is set up in the Narthex and Congregants are asked to take a list from the crib and purchase listed items. These items will be gathered and delivered to Houchen Community Center. Donation: Bibs, baby oil, baby wash, thermometers, wash cloths, and other baby supplies Commitment: July
Blanket Sunday As cold weather approaches, we collect gently-used or new blankets throughout the month of October. The blankets are distributed to various agencies in El Paso, and fire departments in the area. This is a simple mission that has a strong impact on the community. Donation: New or gently-used blankets Commitment: Month of October Contact: Debbie Brinkman, 307-6834, dbrinkman@elp.rr.com Special Skills/Needs: None Minimum Age: N/A
Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical organization which collaborates with local businesses, churches, and individuals to construct energy-efficient, affordable homes for low-income families in need. Families who receive assistance from Habitat for Humanity must meet the following qualifications: they must be first-time home buyers, demonstrate the need for adequate shelter, demonstrate the ability to pay a mortgage, and must be able to invest “sweat equity” hours in the construction of their home. There are many opportunities to volunteer for help, including office assistance, serving on committees, financial or material donations, or helping with construction. Western Hills plans to organize and deploy volunteer construction crews to support this organization. Donation: Money, time, effort, and/or expertise Commitment: Half-day per quarter, or as often as desired Contact: Mark Brinkman, 307-6834, mabrinkman@elp.rr.com or: Habitat for Humanity El Paso, Inc. (915) 755-6633 or www.habitat.org Special Skills/Needs: None Minimum Age: 16
Prison Angel Tree In December, in conjunction with Prison Fellowship, an Angel Tree is set up in the Narthex for children whose parents are incarcerated. The Angel Tree has ornament/tags with information of an individual child, and their Christmas gift wishes. Congregants are asked to take a tag from the tree and purchase their gift wishes and place the wrapped gifts under the tree. The gifts will then be distributed to the children. Volunteers are needed to help decorate the tree, collect and distribute gifts. Bilingual members are especially needed to communicate with Spanish-speaking families. Donation: Wrapped gifts for children, time to call families (Spanish speakers) Commitment: Month of December Contact: Carl Swanson, 587-5386, cswanson@utep.edu Special Skills/Needs: N/A Minimum Age: N/A
Drive a Meal During the month of May, our congregants deliver hot meals to homebound residents. The noon meal is prepared by Sierra Hospital and delivered by our volunteers. Meals and delivery instructions are picked up at Sierra Hospital at 10:30 a.m. The routes cover Central, East and West areas of El Paso. You may sign up in the Narthex and choose route you would like. Donation: Once a week during May, or even for one or more days Commitment: About 2 hours for one day Contact: Ann Hallmark, 584-2683, ahallmark@elp.rr.com Special skills: Ability to drive, better with 2 people, one to drive and one to read directions. Minimum age: Must have a driver’s license
Opportunity Center On the 1st Saturday and 3rd Sunday of each month, members prepare meals and/or serve the dinner at the Opportunity Center. Members are needed to prepare a portion of a weekend meal (menu and recipe provided), help deliver the meals and serve the food. Members can assist regularly, or on a one-time basis. This is a great hands-on way for the family to help the less fortunate! Donation: Requested food and/or time to serve a dinner to the homeless monthly Commitment: Select your month: 1st Saturday and/or 3rd Sunday of each month. This does not have to be a regular commitment. Special Skills/Needs: Minimal cooking skills or ability to serve
Opportunity Center Each Friday, volunteers make two loaves of bread into sandwiches for the homeless at the Opportunity Center. Each volunteer delivers their sandwiches to the church office by 11:00 a.m. Donation: Sandwiches made weekly
Blood Drive Four times a year on Sunday, the United Blood Service comes to Western Hills. The van arrives during worship services and stays until noon. You may sign up for your choice of time in the Narthex. Donation: Blood Donation Commitment: Four times a year Contact: Nancy Haegele, 833-3114, nhaegele@elp.rr.com Special Skills/Needs: N/A Minimum Age: 18
Health Fair This annual event is usually held the Saturday before school starts. Our goal is to offer health screenings at no cost to the community. This is an opportunity for us all to reach out to our neighbors and invite them to this event. Monetary donations are accepted year-round to offset the cost of immunizations which are free for the first 100 children. We especially invite people in health-oriented businesses to offer free screenings. Donation: Money, time Commitment: Saturday before school starts (August 18, 2007) Contact: Nancy Haegele, 833-3114, nhaegele@elp.rr.com Special Skills/Needs: None Minimum Age: N/A
As-Needed Missions Western Hills also supports the following on an as-needed basis:
Rescue Mission of El Paso The Rescue Mission helps homeless people who need food and a place to stay. Food and toiletries donations are appreciated. You may place your items in the blue box in the Narthex—clearly mark your donation for the Rescue Mission.
Dame la Mano Dame la Mano is a crisis pregnancy home for women in need. Food, diapers, clothes and monetary donations are needed. You may place your items in the blue box in the Narthex, please clearly mark your donation for Dame la Mano.
Advocacy Center for the Children of El Paso The Advocacy Center is a safe environment for abused children. They are interviewed by needed agencies, to include law enforcement to determine their needs. Financial aid, healthy snacks and supplies are appreciated. You may place your items in the blue box in the Narthex—clearly mark your donation for the Advocacy Center.
If God is calling you to become more involved in mission work, please contact our Missions Chairman Andi Wallace at (915) 845-8187. You may also contact a committee member via telephone or email. Mark and Debbie Brinkman 307-6834 mabrinkman@elp.rr.com Rev. Bill Case 584-6110 associate524@sbcglobal.net Nancy Haegele 833-3114 nhaegele@elp.rr.com Bruce and Ann Hallmark 584-2683 ahallmark@elp.rr.com Bob Henderson 581-4051 cpabob@sbcglobal.net Gail Houllion 584-7038 houllion@sbcglobal.net Charlotte Nobles 584-7700 nobles.c@sbcglobal.net Carl Swanson 587-5386 cswanson@utep.edu Andi Wallace 845-8187 mseditor2@aol.com |
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Is God Calling You to Help? If God is calling you to become more involved in mission work, please contact our Missions Chairman Andi Wallace at (915) 845-8187. You may also contact a committee member via phone or email. |
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Mark & Debbie Brinkman 307-6834
Rev. Bill Case, 584-6110
Nancy Haegele, 833-3114
Bruce & Ann Hallmark, 584-2683
Bob Henderson, 581-4051
Gail Houllion, 584-7038
Charlotte Nobles, 584-7700
Carl Swanson, 587-538
Andi Wallace, 845-8187 |
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