It's a Wrap, by Nancy Smith Seigle, Director of Communications

We find ourselves mired down in details during the Christmas season. There are a million things that seem to need doing in our individual worlds, so it’s amazing to think how many of you go the extra mile here at HOPE to help out. Here are just a few ways your generous spirit manifested during this hectic, but beautiful time of year. We thank you one and all!

• Enough food was collected to fill 87 Thanksgiving baskets for families helped by the Neighborhood Center in Camden. $185 was sent along to supplement the effort.
• 131 Christmas stockings, brimming with gifts, were collected for the Salvation Army’s annual drive which blesses needy children in the area.
• A slew of much-needed medical supplies were collected for the children at the Humble Place Orphanage in Uganda, along with some adorable Beanie Babies.
• HOPE volunteers helped in the office doing all kinds of mind numbing tasks for weeks on end leading up to and including Christmas Eve.
• HOPE’s Men’s Group sponsored caroling at the Kresson View Nursing Home in Voorhees. They also sponsored several Urban Promise families.
• Sojourners sang Christmas carols at the Fountain View Nursing Home in Atco.
• Countless volunteers worked as bulletin and candle stuffers, team leaders, greeters, ushers, and nursery workers. Don’t forget all of those who helped with setting up and cleaning up after each service.
• A number of families were discreetly aided financially by some loving HOPE elves.
• Generous year-end giving and special Christmas offerings were collected and a portion will help pave the way for Tomorrow’s HOPE Preschool’s launch.
• Delicious home-baked goodies were lovingly made and shared with our visitors.
• MOPS moms sponsored area families in need.
• Teams of volunteers worked diligently decorating both outside and inside the church helping us to celebrate in full glory the birth of Christ.