St. John’s Outreach Committee encourages everyone to “think alternatively” when it comes to Christmas shopping. Rather than spend all your money on gifts for people who already have all they need, why not consider gifts to help those who struggle to survive? It may be easy to write a check (and money is always useful), but Jesus asks for more.

He wants us to give of ourselves, of our time and talent. If you are trying to decide what to give family, friends, (or yourself) for Christmas, here are some BIG IMPACT gift ideas that will last a long time (maybe for generations). A great many of these gifts cost nothing but your time; others can cost as little or as much as your budget allows:

LOCAL IMPACT:

Cornerstone Kids (at St. James’ House of Prayer) – a comprehensive after-school program where children from the Tampa Heights area receive homework assistance, tutoring, computer training, and recreational/enrichment activities. They offer a six-week summer enrichment program. Children from Cornerstone Kids have participated in St. John’s VBS and St. John’s youth have presented programs at their site. www.cornerstonekidsinc.org.

St. John’s Contact:               M. C. Jenkins  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (503-4605)

Wish List:             People who want give their time and talent as tutors.

                                Financial donations in any amount.

St. Francis Day School – offers VPK (voluntary pre-K) and OST (out of school time services) for low-income children ages 4 through age 12, and works with parents to improve the overall quality of life for the family. www.stfrancischildrensdaycare.com.

St. John’s Contact:              Danny Otero This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (839-4659)

                Wish List:             People with time and expertise to resolve a drainage problem.

                                                Financial donations in any amount.

Faith Café – an interdenominational program feeding the hungry with dignity, love, and respect. St. John’s provides volunteers every other Fridays but other days are available if Friday is not good for you. www.faithcafetampa.com.

St. John’s Contacts:           Hugh Cruse This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (839-6789) or

                                                Mary Jane Schenck  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (837-9428)

                Wish List:             Volunteer drivers to pick up food from Metropolitan Ministries.

                                                Lightly used clothing, particularly for men.

                                Financial donations in any amount, especially towards construction of new building.

Meals on Wheels – provides a hot, nutritious daily meal to homebound persons. Meals cost $4.75/day, but 70% of recipients pay a reduced price, some as little as $1/day, a few pay nothing. www.mowtampa.org

St. John’s Contact:              Peggy Curlin  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (287-0176)

Wish List:            Adopt-A-Route business volunteers (see website or call Peggy).

Individual volunteer drivers (pick up meals at a local distribution site and deliver them to the homebound).

                                Financial donations in any amount (to subsidize those on reduced rate).

Judeo Christian Health Clinic -- provides free, quality, timely, and compassionate health care to the medically indigent residents of the Tampa Bay area who have no other resources for their health care needs. www.judeochristianhealthclinic.org.

St. John’s Contact:              Danny Otero This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (839-4659)

                Wish List:             Physicians, optometrists, pharmacists, opticians, other practitioners.

                                                Dentists and dental assistants.

                                                Nurses (RN and LPN).

                                                Lay volunteer for clerical and administrative duties.

                                                Volunteers who speak/translate Spanish, Creole, or any other language.

                        Financial donations in any amount.

GLOBAL INPACT:

Bishop Masereka Christian Foundation – helps those suffering from HIV/AIDS and the orphaned children of HIV/AIDS. “Friends of Uganda” at St. John’s concentrates on raising money for tuition, meals, and school supplies so these children can get an education and one day become self-supporting. We also raise money for the BMCF Medical Clinic. www.bmcf.org.

St. John’s Contact:              Peggy Curlin  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (287-0176)

                Wish List:             Someone to assume duties as Treasurer of “Friends of Uganda”.

                                                Volunteers to help with Lenten project at St. John’s School.

                                                $330/year provides tuition, food, and school supplies for a year.

                                                $75/year provides a child with two meals per day for a year.

                                                $25/year provides a child with shoes and school supplies.

                                                A donation in any amount does wonders.

Dominican Development Group and Mission Trips to DR – The Diocese of SW Florida has a formal “Companion Diocese”relationship with the Diocese of the Dominican Republic. The purpose of the companion relationship is to strengthen the local Church and each other across cultural and geographical boundaries by building a relationship in which each partner is both giver and receiver. Since 1997, the relationship has flourished and the Diocese of Southwest Florida has sent nearly 100 exploratory and mission teams, and several hundred persons on short-term missions to participate in ministry with their Dominican brothers and sisters. See website to make a financial contribution. www.dominicandevelopmentgroup.org.

St. John’s Contact:               Sally Thompson This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (254-3009)

Wish List:             Individuals interested in participating in summer mission trips can join members of the Tampa Deanery on one-week teams during June and July 2012.               

                                Financial donations in any amount.

Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) – works in partnership with ecumenical agencies, the worldwide church, and local organizations to save lives and strengthen communities around the world. See website to view catalog, order coffee, or make an online contribution. www.er-d.org

St. John’s Contact:              Nicki Weekes This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (238-8879)

                Wish List:             Gifts for Life catalog offers gifts from less than $25 to more than $500

                                                Bishop’s Blend Coffee is fair trade and fairly priced

                                                Financial donations in any amount