news article

Red Bird Shoe Box drop off locations for 2020 announced

October 9, 2020 / By Dave Alexander / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

It is that time of year to think about the shoebox mission for the Red Bird Mission in Kentucky. I realize that things are tough for a lot of churches, but the Red Bird Mission is still in need of shoeboxes filled with personal hygiene supplies, new backpacks filled with school supplies, and new sheets, blankets, towels and washcloths. They also are in need of diapers, wipes, and cleaning supplies.

Items needed for the adult shoe boxes (please mark for a man or woman) include a comb/brush, shampoo, hand lotion, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, Chapstick, full-size bar of bath soap, washcloth, disposable razors, shaving cream, nail care supplies, mittens, scarf, hat, socks, and work gloves.

Items for the children's shoe boxes (please mark for a boy or girl) include two or three small toys, two or three school items, bar soap, children's toothbrush, children's toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, washcloth, comb/brush, Chapstick, mittens, hat, socks, and small flashlight.

A suggested donation of $1 is requested per shoebox to help with shipping costs. This monetary donation should not be placed inside the box, rather it should be placed in an envelope and taped to the box.

We are also collecting gently used clothing that is packed in cardboard boxes and labeled with Ladies, Mens, Boys, and Girls Clothing. (We are also asking people to label the shoeboxes with Adult Male, Adult Female, Boys and Girls, as this helps in getting them to the proper area once we unload at the Red Bird Mission.)

Arrangements have been made for the following churches to be drop-off sites:

• Alowuin-Flint UMC
• Little Meadows UMC
• Milford UMC
• Perry First UMC
• Ripley UMC
• Calvary UMC, Latham
• Asbury UMC Getzville
• Endwell UMC
• Christ United Methodist Church in Moravia
• Fair Haven Community Church, Fair Haven
• South Glens Falls UMC
• Upper New York Conference Center in Liverpool (Please call Mike at Mission Center (315-491-0497) to arrange a time for items to be dropped off.)

Items will be picked up or dropped off at the designated drop-off sites between November 3 and November 20. Please call the location closest to you to find out what date they will have items picked up. Items may be dropped off any time between now and then at Endwell UMC. We will get donations ready to be loaded into two 26-foot trucks the week of November 23. We are planning to leave for Kentucky on Sunday November 29th or early on Monday, November 30th, weather permitting.

The team is also looking for monetary donations to help cover the cost of the trip to Kentucky. Please Do Not put money in the shoeboxes. Checks can be made payable to Endwell UMC to be deposited in a dedicated line for this mission. The cost of the truck rentals has gone up this year.

Last year we filled two 26-foot trucks with items for the Red Bird Mission.  We appreciate all your support in the past and hope you will consider helping again this year by donating shoeboxes and other items listed above, and by making a monetary donation to support this mission trip. This is such a blessing for the people in Kentucky.

Blessings to all and please stay healthy. Please email me at Dalexander4@stny.rr.com if you have any questions.