news article

UNY asked to fill shoeboxes for Red Bird Mission again this year

September 6, 2016 / By UNY Communications Team

The Red Bird Mission and Clinic in Beverly, Ky., has provided ministries in the Appalachian Mountains region since 1921. Today, the need remains critical in this isolated, rural, distressed area. Chronic poverty, lack of jobs, poor housing, and rugged mountainous terrain provide obstacles to a fuller life for the residents of this area. Red Bird Mission strives to meet these needs through ministry in five areas: Education, Health & Wellness, Community Outreach, Economic Opportunity, and Community Housing Improvement.

Shoeboxes can address the needs of both the Health & Wellness and Community Outreach areas.

There are two different styles of shoeboxes: adult and children. Please do not wrap the boxes.

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

Items for the children's shoe boxes (please mark for a boy or girl, and the age category: 2-4, 5-9, and 10-14) include two or three toy items, two or three school items, bar soap, children's toothbrush, children's toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, washcloth, comb/brush, chap stick, mittens, hats, socks, and small flashlights. Christian bookmarks, wristbands, and other spiritual items are also appreciated.

Although shoe boxes can still be used, Tracy Nolan, Director of Community Outreach at the Red Bird Mission, is asking for small plastic storage containers to be used instead of the shoe boxes, when possible. The plastic containers provide needed dry storage for their clients. Walmart sells a 10-pack of containers that you can order online and have shipped to your local store for free.

Upper New York lay member Dave Alexander is again organizing this year’s Conference-wide collection and driving the donation to the Red Bird Mission.

In 2015, more than 1,500 shoe boxes – plus additional clothing, cleaning supplies, and monetary donations – were given to the mission.  Gently-used clothing and footwear, along with cleaning supplies and monetary donations will be accepted again this year.

All boxes must be dropped off by November 11th at any of the following churches around the Conference:

Adirondack District: Keeseville UMC at 1699 Front St., Keeseville, 518-834-7555
Albany District: Newtonville UMC at 568 Loudon Rd, Latham, 518-785-6789
Binghamton District: Endwell UMC at 3301 Watson Blvd., Endwell, 607-754-5735
Cornerstone District: Fredonia First UMC at 25 Church St., Fredonia, 716-982-3551
Crossroads District: District Office at University Church, 324 University Ave, Syracuse, 315-422-4288
Finger Lakes District: Aloquin-Flint UMC at 2760 State Route 5 & 20, Stanley, (585) 526-6713
Genesee Valley District: East Rochester UMC at 357 Fairport Road, East Rochester, 585-586-1968 or Greece UMC at 1924 Maiden Lane, Rochester, 585-225-1880
Mohawk District: New Hartford First UMC at 105 Genesee St., New Hartford, 315-733-4227
Mountain View District: Avoca UMC at 8593 Jacobs Ladder Rd., Avoca, 607-566-8378 or Hornell UMC at Webbs Crossing Rd., Hornell 607-324-3281
Niagara Frontier District: Asbury UMC at 850 Dodge Road, Getzville, 716-688-8677
Northern Flow District: Canton UMC at 41 Church Street, Canton, 315-386-4500  
Oneonta District: Milford UMC at 86 North Main St., Milford, 607-286-7582 or Broad Street UMC at 74 Broad St., Norwich, (607) 334-2895

The trip is planned on December 7th this year. Monetary donations to help cover truck rental and fuel would be appreciated.

For more information, contact Dave Alexander at Dalexander4@stny.rr.com 607-743-8955.