The ECM chose 4 families to help this year – 2 at Thanksgiving and Christmas, though actually three were helped at Thanksgiving. Helmut Linne von Berg provides the following story for both holidays:
Thanksgiving – "Johnny D. and I went shopping on 23 Nov. for the 3 families. They all received a 16 pound turkey, a spiral sliced ham, potatoes, onions, cut green beans, peas, cranberry sauce, apples, sweet potatoes, and a pumpkin pie. We had visited them prior to going shopping to assure that they would be able to cook and prepare the food. "The living conditions in the trailer parks are shocking; we really counted our blessings. "
Christmas -"The address provided to us by Caroline Social Services housed two families. Before going out to purchase gifts, I visited the families to assure that we would provide items which are really needed. I found a grandmother, grandmother’s daughter with 11 year old son, a younger daughter with two children who was 8 months pregnant. No males, young or old were present. The families had applied to Social Services for Christmas assistance in October; so the preliminary visit paid off, the children had grown into different sizes than those provided by Social Services."
"Johnny D. and I went shopping on Thursday, 16 Dec. We had made arrangements that someone would be home on Thursday and that the children would not be around at the time of delivery. We purchased food,i.e. turkey, ham, veggies, as well as clothing per their request, toys for all the children including bicycles, helmets, educational games, doll baby, etc. The items were delivered per our arrangements. We wished a very happy family a blessed Merry Christmas and good luck for the New Year. Many sincere thanks to the St. Peter’s Men’s Group from the family. They know that our church is just down the road."
Total cost for this ministry was $144.67 at Thanksgiving and $483.81 at Christmas. Thanks for the ECM for a job well done.