In Goderich, Ont., Suncoast Citadel's community care ministries has had a busy Christmas once again, spreading a little "sunshine" to local seniors. This year, the corps put together almost 700 Sunshine Bags for people living in care homes and hospitals.
This ministry was made possible by the efforts of the whole congregation. In November, the corps held a well-attended soup and sandwich fundraiser for the Sunshine Bags, and many corps members also support community care ministries through their tithes and offerings.
"This is a ministry that everyone in the congregation can rally around, from the young to the old," says Lieutenant David Hickman, corps officer. "It allows the whole congregation to feel that they have a role to play."
At the end of November, a dozen corps members gathered to assemble the Sunshine Bags, which included moisturizing lotion, lip balm, a pair of socks, a magnifying lens, a Christmas book mark, a Christmas tract and a Christmas issue of Faith & Friends. Members of the corps, along with the corps band, deliver the bags to various care homes and hospitals in Goderich and in many of the surrounding communities, such as Clinton, Seaforth and Kincardine.
"The seniors are always very appreciative of their Sunshine Bags and look forward to The Salvation Army coming with the band every Christmas," says Lieutenant Hickman. "It is our prayer that those who receive our Sunshine Bags will be blessed not only by the presents they contain, but also by knowing that we genuinely care for them."
This ministry was made possible by the efforts of the whole congregation. In November, the corps held a well-attended soup and sandwich fundraiser for the Sunshine Bags, and many corps members also support community care ministries through their tithes and offerings.
"This is a ministry that everyone in the congregation can rally around, from the young to the old," says Lieutenant David Hickman, corps officer. "It allows the whole congregation to feel that they have a role to play."
At the end of November, a dozen corps members gathered to assemble the Sunshine Bags, which included moisturizing lotion, lip balm, a pair of socks, a magnifying lens, a Christmas book mark, a Christmas tract and a Christmas issue of Faith & Friends. Members of the corps, along with the corps band, deliver the bags to various care homes and hospitals in Goderich and in many of the surrounding communities, such as Clinton, Seaforth and Kincardine.
"The seniors are always very appreciative of their Sunshine Bags and look forward to The Salvation Army coming with the band every Christmas," says Lieutenant Hickman. "It is our prayer that those who receive our Sunshine Bags will be blessed not only by the presents they contain, but also by knowing that we genuinely care for them."
to the seniors ,the prisoners, and shut -ins. One year we involved the Corps folk to the hall to bake cookies to put in selected bags. This was a huge success. The Lord has called us to the least, the lost, and the lonely. How great is the privilege.