U.S.C.L. recognizes the truth of Acts 20:35,

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”,

 and James 2 : 15 – 16,

“Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?“

We are blessed to have a supportive, loving and caring congregation who has shown their willingness to give and help the less fortunate. One of our goals for 2014 is to provide opportunities for you to share those qualities with others through our God’s Hands program. We currently have two venues in our focus. Please continue reading to learn more about them.

If you have a willingness to reach out and act as a connection to the ‘world back home’, we invite you to join us in our Military Pen Pals program. Please click on this link to visit Operation Gratitude’s website, where you can read the guidelines and helpful information about writing letters to our service personnel.  If you’re interested, you may send the letters to the address listed on the website or bring your letters to the church; we’ll gather them together and send them all at once.

It was developed to allow us to strengthen and express our faith by doing something for others, and in the process recognize the blessings we have, experience the joy that comes with selflessly helping while expecting nothing in return, develop an enhanced sense of community focused on one task and most important, to give us the opportunity to fulfill one of the Bible’s greatest commandments; go forth and serve*.

Our focus this year will be on those most affected by domestic violence. We’ve partnered with a local shelter and are asking everyone to join us in collecting empty shoe boxes, along with items that are needed and will be appreciated by those in the shelter.  A complete list of suggested items may be found below.

Donations may be dropped off at the church before or immediately after any of our services or events.   A collection container for the shoe boxes and the items will be located in the front of the church sanctuary, near the bookstore entrance. Throughout the year, we’ll announce and host Shoe box Parties where we’ll sort and fill the shoe boxes. After each party, we’ll deliver the completed boxes to the shelter. At our first party (January 12th), we filled fifteen boxes! We hope your schedule will allow you to join us.  If you have any questions, please email Michelle Wisbith at education@uscl.org or call her at (513) 891.5424.

Please remember that each item must be small enough to fit in a shoebox and leave room for other items, too. Shoe boxes that held work boots and larger men’s shoes are excellent for bigger items.

“Yes” items for:

All ages:

• soap, shampoo, lotion
• toothbrush and toothpaste
• comb or hairbrush
• underclothes (underwear, socks, t-shirts)
• in winter – gloves, mittens, hats
• in summer – swimsuit

Infants (ages  newborn – 1)

• new pacifiers (in original packaging)
• baby bottles (non-glass)
• powder
• bulb syringe (to help clear out the nose)
• rattles, crib toys and etc.
• socks, hats, onesies, sleepers (pajamas with feet)
• books that the parent can read to them (Good ones include the kind the baby can mouth and not ruin.)

Toddlers (ages  1 – 2)

• shoes (clean, new or very gently used)
• small, new or gently used (and very clean) stuffed animals
• books that the parent can read to them (Good ones include the kind the child can mouth and not ruin. They explore things with their mouths up to and sometimes after 2 years of age.)
• sippy cups
• toys they can hold, manipulate & explore (No small parts for this age, please. )

Pre-Schoolers (ages  3 – 4)

• shoes (clean, new or very gently used)
• small, new or gently used (and very clean) stuffed animals
• books that the parent can read to them or that they can look at alone (Picture books are great for this age)
• toys (building blocks, dolls, cars/trucks and etc.)

Children (ages 5 – 12)

• shoes (clean, new or very gently used)
• small, new or gently used (and very clean) stuffed animals
• books
• cards and card games (Uno, Old Maid and etc.)
• travel size board games
• puzzle books (crossword, word-find, Sudoku and etc) along with pencils and small sharpener
• skill books (learning math, hand-writing, letters and number identification and etc)
• coloring books and crayons
• school supplies
• small flashlight
• small wallet or purse, wristwatches
• diary with pen
• small cars/trucks (Hotwheels, Matchbox and etc.)
• G.I. Joe, Barbie, action figures and etc.
• other miscellaneous toys

Teens (ages 13 – 18) (The shelter hosts both young women and young men)

• bras
• small travel mirror and alarm clock
• toothbrush and toothpaste
• deodorant/antiperspirant
• tampons, pads
• disposable razors, shaving cream
• perfume and cologne, jewelry
• books
• cards and card games (Uno, Old Maid and etc.)
• travel size board games
• puzzle books (crossword, word-find, Sudoku and etc) along with pencils and small sharpener
• school supplies
• small flashlight
• small wallet or purse, wristwatches
• diary with pen
• hand-held electronic games with extra batteries

Women (ages 19 and up)

• bras
• small travel mirror and alarm clock
• deodorant/antiperspirant
• tampons, pads
• disposable razors, shaving cream
• perfume and cologne, jewelry
• books
• cards and card games (Uno, Old Maid and etc.)
• small flashlight
• small purse, wristwatches
• diary with pen
• in winter – gloves, hats
• anything else you might appreciate if you were in their place and circumstance

Items we cannot include in a shoebox:

• food
• beverages
• medications, including over the counter
• mouthwash that contains alcohol
• anything related to war or violence

The U.S.C.L. Board of Directors, the shelter director and the future recipients all thank you in advance for your time and generosity. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Wisbith at education@uscl.org or (513) 891.5424.

*In numerous places throughout the Bible, we are directed to help others. Here are a few references for you to explore on your own:

Leviticus 19 : 9 – 10
Deuteronomy 15 : 11
Psalm 82 : 4
Proverbs 19 : 17, 21 : 13
Matthew  5 : 16, 10 : 5, 10: 42, 25 : 35 – 40
Luke 3 : 10 – 11, 6 : 38
Acts 20 : 35
Romans 15 : 1
Galatians 6 : 2
Philippians 2 : 4
Hebrews 13 : 16
James 1 : 17
James 2 : 17
1 John 3 : 17 – 18