December 5 & 6
You are invited to be a part of our St Joseph Parish Tradition of the
Christmas Giving Tree, begun by
Sister Robert Joseph, and the cornerstone of our holiday giving for 30 years.
This year is especially meaningful, as
Sister Robert cannot be with us to tell our Giving Tree story and ask for our contributions. We hope to do our best and send word to her that her beloved Tree has been fruitful and not been forgotten.
Our tree is decorated with doves, angels, and stars.
The Dove decorations have the address of our shut-ins, and those in nursing homes or care facilities. If you choose this decoration, one of our committee will be at Mass to give you the name and phone number of your Christmas friend, then you are asked to visit the person named, taking a small gift remembrance. Perhaps you will form a wonderful friendship and visit again during the year !!!
The Angel decoration is a request to help a family in need with a food box and some small gifts. To protect confidentiality, the family is identified by a number. If you choose an angel, one of our committee will be at Mass to give you the family name, address, and phone. You can then arrange a convenient time for delivery. You may also wish to join with a friend or another family in providing for your Angel family.
Stars are a request for gift cards of any amount (
Wal-Mart, Fred Meyer, Safeway, etc.) to be given either at this holiday for our late requests, or during the next year. Purchasing these from our own
PTO (at the scrip table after Mass or in the parish or school offices) will also help our school. ——double gifting!!!
A baby crib is next to the tree, for new layette items – blankets – receiving and crib size, disposable diapers – all sizes, burp cloths, pacifiers, baby toys – rattles, etc., clothing especially sleepers – both boys and girls, to be donated to
Catholic Family Services.
There are envelopes beside the tree for your contributions to our most important fund —
THE GIVING TREE FUND. Your gift, in cash or check, will be used for the needy, not only during the holiday season, but also throughout the year. This year we do not have separate envelopes for other causes, but contributions will be given to:
HOSPICE, SAFE HARBOR and
THE ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY from the funds we collect.
We invite children also to share with those in need. Please explain the purpose of the Giving tree to them and let them use the small envelopes to share with the less fortunate at this Holy Time of year.
The Kennewick Food Bank at 420 W. Deschutes with hours: Monday – Friday 8 to 11:30AM. is well organized for the distribution of food and staples to the needy. Perhaps a family project could be a trip there, with some canned goods or paper products. We will accept food, etc. at the church but it will be donated to the Food Bank.
The St. Vincent de Paul Store at 120 N. Morain welcomes all good, clean, used clothing and blankets. Those people we send to them are helped without cost. Please take your contributions of these items to them.
May this 30th Anniversary Giving Tree reflect our parish commitment of reaching out to those in need throughout the year?
Thank you for your support and generosity.
May the Blessings of the Christ Child be with all of you.
The Giving Tree Committee
