Vol. 24| Iss. 12|December 2020
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TOY DRIVE HOSTED BY LIGHTHOUSE GOSPEL MISSION FOR CHIDREN By Tatiana Ortiz
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Columns: Grace Notes: Hooked On Books: Crafts For Kids: Faith & Footprints:
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Spreading some holiday cheer might look slightly different this year for some families. Lighthouse Gospel Mission and its ministry, Operation Hope of Florida, strives to bring smiles through assistance of a toy drive and much more. All of the toys donated will be distributed during the annual Christmas of Hope event, which is free to the community, on Friday, December 18 at the Lighthouse Gospel Mission in Riverview at 6 p.m. Lighthouse Gospel Mission Development Manager Joelle Allen shared her input about the toy drive. “We are trying to collect the toys for children ages 2 to 10 and make sure their Christmas is blessed,” Allen said. Operation Hope of Florida is a food ministry that distributes more than 2.4 million pounds per
A child receiving a toy from last year’s Christmas of Hope event.
year to families in need. It serves 2,105,497 people annually. During Christmas of Hope, attendees will receive a hot meal, a food box and toys for kids. The overall goal of this toy drive is to fulfill the mission through the love of Jesus to serve those who are hungry, hurt and addicted in communities within its four avenues of ministry. Since Lighthouse Gospel Mission’s establishment on December 12, 1952 by J.A. Lennard, it has continued providing an impact on the lives of thousands all across the Tampa Bay area.
Lennard started the mission as an encouragement to the homeless in downtown Tampa by offering them a hot meal and clothing. Due to the growth of Lighthouse Gospel Mission’s ministry, it later relocated to its current spot. “Overall, we want to others to know that we are here trying to make a difference within the surrounding community,” Allen said. Those interested in contributing can drop off the toys Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Lighthouse Remnant Thrift Store. The deadline to donate is on Friday, December 11. For more information, visit www.lighthousegospelmission. org or check out its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/lighthousegospelmission. It is located at 7211 S. 78th St. in Riverview. Call 677-5220.
FISHHAWK FELLOWSHIP CHURCH PROVIDES SHOES TO 170 LOCAL STUDENTS By Kate Quesada
More than 170 local students will have a of Jesus by providing a practical need.” new pair of shoes this Christmas thanks to a Duncan also explained that within 48 hours of group of generous residents. The congregation putting out the request for donations, all 171 stuat FishHawk Fellowship Church came together dents had been selected by congregation memlast month to buy shoes for students in need bers. at Pinecrest Elementary School for the second Members were given the opportunity to pick up year in a row. postcards with a QR code to scan. The code took According to Missions Pastor Corey Duncan, donors to a list of specific children to choose from the church has been working with Pinecrest to purchase the shoes for. They were then asked Elementary for years, providing items such as to wrap the shoes and attach the postcards with books and blankets. their information to the wrapped gifts. Shoes were “From this relationship we were made aware then dropped off at the church. that many children at the school were either “We still have people who want to get involved,” wearing shoes that didn’t fit anymore or had he explained, “so we’ve offered for them to donate holes,” said Duncan. “That birthed the idea to Walmart gift cards. This will help the school’s sodonate shoes.” cial workers to meet needs all year long.” Last year, the congregation collected 100 Duncan encouraged anyone who would like to pairs of shoes to identified students and this help the students at Pinecrest Elementary to puryear it raised its goal to 171 pairs. chase Walmart cards and send them to the church The congregation at FishHawk Fellowship Church donated 171 “Pinecrest is within our community and is a at 15326 FishHawk Blvd., Lithia, FL 33547, Attn. pairs of shoes for students at Pinecrest Elementary School. Title 1 school, which means many of their stuMissions. dents are on reduced lunch,” said Duncan. “They have a high population of FishHawk Fellowship Church has many ministries and ways for residents foster, migrant and homeless children. It’s an opportunity to share the love to give back throughout the year.