FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 25, 2016
Contact:
Heidi Prahl
800-236-9364
heidip@thefamily.net | www.thefamily.net
“He immediately took the tags off the gloves and put them on.”
Shoe box Christmas gifts for area shelters and ER’s: Christmas Care Nov. 14 – Dec. 7
Appleton, WI – WEMI 91.9 Appleton/Oshkosh, WEMY 91.5 Green Bay: Starting November 14, 91.9/91.5 The Family’s 19th annual Christmas Care gift campaign will be collecting Christmas presents for people in 35 area crisis programs and hospital emergency rooms.
Area residents, churches, schools, scout troops, and businesses are encouraged to participate by filling wrapped shoe boxes with NEW gifts containing warm mittens, hats or socks, and a fun toy or game for someone in need. Wrap the top and bottom separately and put a sticker on top listing age and gender of the intended recipient. Bring gifts to collection sites before December 7. Last year more than 3,000 gifts were distributed to shelters and emergency rooms from Green Bay to Fond du Lac.
NOTE: There is always a shortage of gifts for teen boys and adult men.
- “After being treated in the ER, a patient, currently staying at a shelter, was given a Christmas Care gift. He opened his gift and said “oh, wow” and “thank you” more times than I could count. He immediately took the tags off the gloves and put them on. He took the Chap Stick and put it in his pocket and said he could really use that too. He loved the crossword puzzle and word search book and put that in his other pocket. Everything was perfect and he was genuinely grateful. That present definitely made a difference to that man and he left here with a smile and a very grateful heart.” – Linda Auler, ThedaCare Regional Medical Center
“One of our residents told me that she was feeling heartbroken and anxious; alone and without family at Christmas, living in a shelter. When we gave her a Christmas Care gift she was literally speechless, but tears were streaming down her face, so I just hugged her and told her that a lot of people really do care about her. She said she hadn’t received a gift from anyone for about 5 years.” – Ann, Homeless Connections
Collection Sites: Festival Foods Stores, Pet Supplies ‘Plus’ in Appleton, and 91.9/91.5 The Family studios.
For more information, including a list of suggested gifts, visit thefamily.net or call The Family studios 800-236-9364. Sponsored by 91.9/91.5 together with Fox 11, Festival Foods, and Pet Supplies ‘Plus’.
GIFT RECIPIENTS: APPLETON/FOX CITIES: COTS Pioneer Haven Transitional Shelters for Men and Women, Circles of Support, Fox Valley Warming Shelter, Harbor House, Homeless Connections, Housing Partnership, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, ThedaCare Regional Medical Center, Villa Hope CHILTON: Calumet Memorial Medical Center FOND DU LAC: Agnesian Health Care, Beacon House, New Beginnings, Solutions Cntr. Men’s and Women’s Shelters GREEN BAY: Aurora Bay Care, Bellin Hospital, Freedom House, House of Hope, New Community Shelter, St. John’ Ev. Shelter, St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Vincent Hospital, Villa Hope MANITOWOC: Domestic Violence Center (In Courage) NEW LONDON: BABES of New London, New London Medical Center, OCONTO: Bellin Hospital OCONTO FALLS: Saint Clare Memorial Hospital OSHKOSH: Christine Ann Center, Fr. Carr’s Place 2B, Mercy Medical Cntr., RIPON: Ripon Medical Center TWO RIVERS: Aurora Medical Center
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Evangel Ministries, Inc. d/b/a The Family is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing contemporary Christian music and programming, as well as community outreach support to Central and Northeast Wisconsin.
