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    United Methodists of Upper New YorkLiving the Gospel. Being God's Love.


    news article

    Red Bird Mission needs your support

    September 27, 2021 / By Dave Alexander

    The Mission team at Endwell United Methodist Church is again coordinating the collection and delivery of shoeboxes for the Red Bird Mission, located in Beverly, Kentucky. The Red Bird Missionary Conference is one of three United Methodist missionary conferences in the United States. It is the most comprehensive mission effort of the United Methodist Church, providing outreach and services that minister to the whole person (spiritual, physical, social, and economic).

    In December of 2020, two volunteers from Upper New York (UNY) drove a 26-foot truck to the mission in Kentucky. They transported over 2,800 shoeboxes, over 100 sheet sets and bedspreads, as well as numerous books, school supplies, and cleaning supplies.

    The need is even greater this year. Our goal for 2021 is to transport at least 3,600 shoeboxes and other supplies to the Red Bird Mission the first week of December. We are asking participating churches to drop off their filled shoeboxes to one of two locations: the Upper New York Conference Center, located at 7481 Henry Clay Boulevard in Liverpool by Wednesday, November 17 or the Endwell United Methodist Church, located at 3301 Watson Boulevard in Endwell between November 1st and November 23rd. There are several drop off locations in each District as well. Click here to see a full list of drop off locations. Also, arrangements to have items picked up can be made by e-mailing Dave at Dalexander4@stny.rr.com.

    There are two different styles of shoeboxes-needed for the adult shoeboxes include: a comb or brush, shampoo, hand lotion, deodorant, a toothbrush and toothpaste, Chapstick, a full size bar of soap, a washcloth, disposable razors, shaving cream, nail care supplies, socks, a pair of work gloves or mittens, and a winter hat or scarf. 

    Items needed for children’s shoeboxes include: two or three small toys, two or three items needed for school, a comb or brush, shampoo, hand lotion, a child’s toothbrush and toothpaste, Chapstick, a bar of soap, a washcloth, a small flashlight, socks, a pair of mittens, and a winter hat. Christian bookmarks, wristbands, and other spiritual items are also appreciated.

    The Red Bird Mission would like the items to be placed in clear, plastic shoebox sized storage containers with locking lids. Please do not wrap the boxes. They would like the boxes labeled with the intended recipient-man, woman, boy, or girl. The mission also needs new pillows, new bedspreads, new sheet sets and new blankets for full and twin beds, and new bath towels. Used sheets, blankets, and towels cannot be sent. Books, school supplies, and new backpacks are also in need, as well as cleaning supplies.

    Donations of money can be made payable to the Endwell United Methodist Church to help cover the cost of the truck rental, fuel, and lodging and meals for the volunteers who will deliver the shoeboxes and other donations to the Red Bird Mission in Kentucky the first week in December. All funds will be deposited into a dedicated account for this mission. A suggested donation is at least $1 per shoebox. Please do not put money inside the shoeboxes. Place the money in an envelope and attach it to the shoebox.

    You can learn more about the mission by going to EndwellUMC.org and clicking on “Missions.” Recently, members of the Red Bird Mission team and Tracy Nolan, Community Outreach Director at the Red Bird Mission were interviewed by Pastor Mark Kimpland for the Encounter program. If you are interested in watching the video, you can access it by going to the Endwell UMC website. Then select “Encounter Red Bird Mission.” If you have questions, please contact Dave Alexander at 607-743-8955 or Endwell United Methodist Church at 607-754-5735.


    With more than 100,000 members, United Methodists of Upper New York comprises of more than 675 local churches and New Faith Communities in 12 districts, covering 48,000 square miles in 49 of the 62 counties in New York state. Our vision is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places."