News Briefs

Make Holiday Wishes Come True

 

Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington needs your help to make the holidays brighter for program participants.  Thanksgiving food baskets with all the ingredients for a holiday meal will be delivered November 25 to all program participants with extra baskets going to the families of Partner Arms transitional housing. Samaritan Ministry needs donations of food and gift cards to fill these baskets. 

A  Christmas party for program participants and their families and the families of Partner Arms will be a joyous time for both families and those volunteering to help with the party.  Parents will shop for gifts in the Santa Shop while children make crafts and visit with Santa.  Everyone will enjoy refreshments and caroling. Samaritan Ministry needs children’s gifts, refreshments and volunteers to help with the party.

 

Participant Christmas parties are planned for all three Samaritan Ministry offices.  In addition to a holiday meal, participants will take home small gifts including gift cards. Donations to help with the holiday meal and gift cards are needed. 

The following donations and volunteer assistance are needed by Samaritan Ministry for the Thanksgiving and Christmas season.  Please contact Catherine Rodman at crodman@samaritanministry.org or 202-722-2280 x 324 for information on how to make your donation or to volunteer.

 

Thanksgiving

 

Please donate:** 

• Canned yams
• Canned veggies
• Pumpkin pie mix or other pie fillings
• Piecrust mix
• Corn bread mix
• Stuffing mix (bags or box)
• Cranberry sauce
• Canned fruits
• Rolls or bread mix
• Mashed potato mix (packages or box)
• Mac and cheese mix (packages or box)
• Safeway or Giant gift cards to purchase a turkey($20-$25)

** Needed by Friday, November 21

 

Christmas

 

Please donate: **

• New toys for the Santa Shop (if donating dolls or Barbie’s, please purchase the African-American models)
• Books and clothing for the Santa Shop     
• Clothing for children under 14 and gift cards for older teens

 Volunteer to:

• Help in the Santa Shop
• Serve at food tables or as a greeter
• Refreshments – beverages, appetizers, etc.
• Wrapping paper and decorations

• Receive donations the day of the party
• Set up and decorate
• Bring craft supplies and setup and run a craft table
• Lead Christmas carol sing-along

**Needed by Friday, December 5 

 

Participant Christmas Parties

  

Please Donate**

• Money for, or provide, a meal from Boston Market (or another similar restaurant).
• Gift cards to appropriate stores like Target, Starbucks, Best Buy, etc.
• Hats, gloves, scarves, socks and warm outer clothing for adults
• Calendars, wallets, perfume or other fun gifts for adults
• Provide stockings filled with candy, toiletries and/or other useful or fun items
• Cook a turkey or make a side dish for the parties in Northwest, Southeast or Northern Virginia

 

** Gift items needed by Friday, December 5.  Please coordinate food donations with Catherine Rodman at crodman@samaritanministry.org or 202-722-2280 x 324.