Want to really make a difference in someone's life this year?

Top 10 Ways to Help This Holiday Season
at the Union Gospel Mission in Fort Worth

Thursday, November 1, 2012 by Malorie Schein 

As we enter into the holiday season for 2012, Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County continues to counts its blessings. We are so grateful for the community support that we receive throughout the year and simply couldn’t do it with YOUR help! UGM-TC really tries to make this time of year special for our residents and guests. It can a sad time for many of them, so it is important to be able to provide them an inviting, safe place to come. This Thanksgiving and Christmas, we ask for your continued support and prayers. Here are some ways to get involved this season: 

1. Host a donation drive for Thanksgiving meal items

We do two days worth of Thanksgiving meals at the Mission and invite former residents to come back and visit at a luncheon we throw, where we distribute meal packages so they may have a nice Thanksgiving for their family. Items can include: canned green beans, yams, cranberry sauce and corn as well as stuffing and instant mashed potatoes. 

2. Help decorate the Mission

We like to make sure that the common areas (i.e. lobby, dining hall, learning center etc.) have been fully dressed for the holidays. It helps make the whole place feel warm and inviting. 

3. Help pass out Christmas gifts to residents and homeless guests

Each adult resident and homeless guest that comes through the Mission on Christmas receives a care package. We’d love your help in passing the gifts out! 

4. Host a donation drive for Christmas Care Packages

Every adult resident and homeless guest we serve gets a Christmas care package. We need the support of the community to help provide the items that make up the packages. 

5. Donate Thanksgiving or Christmas decorations

Many of our current decorations have gone through a lot of wear and tear over the years, so we’d appreciate any items that are still in good shape to help make for a festive and beautiful place during the holidays. 

6. Make Thanksgiving or Christmas placemats for the dining hall

For the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, we dress the dining hall tables with individual placemats that residents and guests can take with them afterwards for a keepsake. It’s especially nice when the placemats have a personal message or bible verse on them! 

7. Host a toy drive

Based on the toy donations we receive from the community, we are able to set-up a make shift “toy store” at the Mission, where mothers and fathers get to shop for their children and wrap the gifts themselves. It’s a gift in and of itself for the parents to be able to provide their children with a nice Christmas. 

8. Serve a meal

We are always happy to have volunteers with smiling faces greeting and serving those in need on Christmas. Please note we have limited availability. Important Annoucement: We are full to serve on Thanksgiving. We recommend you contact the Volunteer Center of North Texas at 817-927-7172 to see what other organizations are in need. 

9. Host a holiday-themed event

We are glad when volunteers come in and host special event for the residents. It’s a great way to make our residents feel loved! 

10. Prayers

Since the holidays can be difficult for many of those we serve, prayers of peace hope and love for this time of year would be much appreciated. 

For questions or to coordinate any of these ways to help, please contact the Volunteer Office at 817-332-2922 or mschein@ugm-tc.org.

For more information visit the Union Gospel Mission Website
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Hope to see you there... 

For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Matthew 26:41 & Mark 14:38

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