The Good Samaritan Fund assists individuals with utility bill help, rental assistance, gas, an emergency hotel stay, prescriptions etc. No cash is given to the individual. We help in the form of a check to the a utility or rental company. A gas card, only good for fuel, is given when needed by an individual. For a hotel stay we work out an agreement with the person in charge. For food assistance we refer them to the Food Pantry. We do keep a list of individuals and their request in order to control repetitive requests.

In November, a Christmas tree, decorated with paper ornaments, will appear in the lounge area just outside the sanctuary. You are invited to take one or more ornaments from the tree, purchase the item(s) written on the ornament(s), and return them to the tree by the designated date. The gifts for children should not be wrapped as the parents enjoy doing that for their children. Watch the bulletins in November for more information.

What is Operation Christmas Child?

The Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child collects shoeboxes—filled with school supplies, hygiene items, fun toys and notes of encouragement—and delivers them to children in need around the world to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way. The Women of Zion have purchased 50 plastic shoebox size containers for the people of Zion to fill with Christmas gifts for children living in poverty overseas. These gifts not only bring hope they bring the Gospel of Jesus to each child through the Samaritan’s Purse organization. Please pick up an empty box (or two) and a “What to Pack” brochure located on the table under the youth board. (or you can use a regular shoebox or buy a container.)

Each packed box must include $9.00 cash or check made out to Samaritan’s Purse placed inside the box for shipping. Do not include: candy, gum, toothpaste, used or damaged items, war related items, seeds, food, liquids or lotions, medications or vitamins, breakable items or glass, aerosol cans.

INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING IN EACH PERSONAL CARE KIT:

ONE light-weight bath-size towel (between 20” x 40” and 52” x 27”), dark color recommended TWO or three bath-size bars of soap equaling 8 to 9 oz., any brand, in original wrapping ONE adult-size toothbrush in its original package* ONE sturdy comb, remove packaging ONE metal nail clippers (attached file optional),remove packaging * Toothbrush multi-packs may be used by sealing an individual toothbrush in a business-size envelope; no plastic bags or wrap

Imagine having to choose between a meal or purchasing a notebook. Pencils and paper can help write a positive future for children in other countries. If you want to help donate the items required for each school kit, here is the list to go shopping with: 1. One 30-centimeter ruler, or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other. 2. 5 unsharpened No. 2 pencils with erasers; secured together with a rubber band. 3. 4 70-sheet notebooks of wide-or-college ruled paper, approximately 8”x10 1/2”; no loose–leaf paper 4. One pencil sharpener 5. One box of 16 or 24 crayons 6. One pair blunt scissors (safety scissors with embedded steel blades work well) 7. One 2 ½ “ eraser 8. Five black or blue ballpoint pens (no gel ink); secured together with a rubber band A “packing party” will be held on Sunday, September 10. Thrivent Financial is sponsoring $250.00 for our Action Team shoppers/packers of School Kits. The backpacks purchased by Women of Zion and Trivent Financial are already here. Now we need to fill them up! Any questions, ask Action Team Leader Kathy Groth. Thanks for your help.

Baby Bucks Store

  Expectant parents may shop for needed baby items using Baby Bucks at the Baby Bucks Store located at the Health Department in Troy. Baby Bucks are earned by attending parenting and child care classes taught by the Health Department staff. In the lounge area, there is a “Giving Tree” decorated with ornaments. Each ornament has a baby item that you may purchase and return to the lounge area by August 1. Please do not wrap these items. If you would rather donate money toward the purchase of a more costly item, please place your gift in the baby gift bag hanging on the tree. If you prefer to write a check, please make it payable to Women of Zion.

      Tipp Monroe Community Services will be providing the senior citizens who reside at Liberty Commons with a “Christmas in July” event. In addition to lunch, games and prizes, the residents will receive a goody bag of helpful and fun items. During the month of June, a Giving Tree will be set up in the lounge area of the church. You are encouraged to take one or more ornaments, purchase the item(s) and return them to the tree no later than Sunday, June 24. Please do not wrap the items. Thank you!

Located in Springfield, Ohio, Oesterlen Services for Youth helps emotionally, behaviorally and psychologically troubled youth and their families.   Please consider donating one or more of the following: Art Supplies: construction paper, sketch pads, drawing paper, craft kits, colored pencils, permanent & non-permanent markers, journals/ diaries (from dollar store) Games/Toys: Deck of playing cards Sports Items: basketball, football, playground ball volleyball, ball pump Bath towels and Wash cloths Toiletries: comb, brush, stick deodorant 2.6 or larger (boys like Axe brand; girls like Dove brand) Clothing: boxer shorts (sizes Youth Large to Adult XL), sweatpants (sizes small – X large, although size Medium is most often needed) School Supplies: pens, #2 pencils without metal tops; lined notebook paper, pocket folders, single subject lined notebooks (without spiral wire binding), glue sticks, small 2018 pocket calendars Life Skills Programming – Gardening, Wood Shop, and the Farm: flower/vegetable seeds, Gift Cards for Lowe’s, Home Depot, Rural King, or Tractor Supply Company, wood working tools, wood and supplies Gift Cards: $5.00, $10.00, $20.00 amounts for Walmart, Meijer, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King or Donato’s Pizza.

Our Children’s Hospital Pillowcase project began when we had the Women of Zion sew-a-thons in the fellowship hall in 2010 and someone brought a sample to show us.   Since 2010 – we have made several hundred pillowcases. We have 5 Zion gals who sew (even Neal Sonnanstine, before he passed, sewed pillowcases!) and a friend of Zion, Judy Walker of Troy, has made many. There is a pattern for the pillowcases on the table by the elevator. Each pillowcase takes a yard of 54” material. The washable cotton material is expensive at about $5.00 per yard. We try to use “themed patterns” that are current for the children undergoing chemo therapy treatments as well as other challenges. The nurses tell us that some of the children put the pillowcase over their heads when they are having treatment. When we make a delivery, the different departments compete for them! Please place your donations in the basket by the pillowcases displayed on the table in the back of the church. Thanks, Women of Zion Outreach

On Sunday, February 18, Zion will be privileged to host Pastor Cliff Nunn at Zion’s 10AM worship service. Pastor Nunn is the Church Relations Officer for Wernle Youth and Family Treatment Center in Richmond, IN. Wernle has a great track record for helping troubled youth. Kids from Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana have benefited from Wernle. Pastor Nunn will increase our awareness with his presentation. We welcome him and pray for the ministry of Wernle. Residents Needs List:  Hygiene boxes (these are the small plastic containers with lids that are similar to a shoe box size)  Laundry bags (netted cloth bags with a drawstring for dirty clothes)  Men’s short socks in adult size (our boys like both black & white. They are short and come just above the top of the shoe. Almost not visible when wearing shoes.)  Men’s deodorant  Men’s & Women’s body liquid body wash  Men’s & Women’s shampoo  Plastic Hangers (we are not allowed to use metal ones, only plastic) Thanks for your help!

The Sunday School children will bring their offering as well as ask the Zion congregation to bring their change in the month of January for The Souper Bowl of Caring to benefit “WITH GOD’S GRACE MOBILE FOOD PANTRY”.   “With God’s Grace” is a mobile food pantry that goes to scheduled locations where people in need in the community can come and receive food and some other small necessities to help members of their household. Every $1.00 donated = 4 meals. Watch for the BIG RED BOWL in the back of the church starting in January where you can make donations for this wonderful cause. Their motto is:

We show people we care, that they have value, and that they are loved – by us and by God. It is our intention that they receive not only food for their physical hunger, but generous portions of kindness and grace to feed their spiritual and emotional hungers. We believe the words of Jesus that this is one way we can respond directly to God’s love for us: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” Matthew 25:35

Any questions contact Jackie Glawe. You can also go on their website for additional information: http://withgodsgracepantry.org

What is Operation Christmas Child?

The Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child collects shoeboxes—filled with school supplies, hygiene items, fun toys and notes of encouragement—and delivers them to children in need around the world to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way. The Women of Zion have purchased 50 plastic shoebox size containers for the people of Zion to fill with Christmas gifts for children living in poverty overseas. These gifts not only bring hope they bring the Gospel of Jesus to each child through the Samaritan’s Purse organization. Please pick up an empty box (or two) and a “What to Pack” brochure located on the table under the youth board. (or you can use a regular shoebox or buy a container.)

Each packed box must include $9.00 cash or check made out to Samaritan’s Purse placed inside the box for shipping. Do not include: candy, gum, toothpaste, used or damaged items, war related items, seeds, food, liquids or lotions, medications or vitamins, breakable items or glass, aerosol cans.