Jason Futch r
eporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
On a chilly Saturday morning in Live Oak, families from across Suwannee County queued up to receive a Christmas miracle: gifts for their children, so they can have a wonderful Christmas. On Saturday, Dec. 21, the First United Methodist Church of Live Oak initiated its third annual “God’s Hidden Angels” program. The program aims to help disadvantaged families throughout Suwannee County, so children can receive gifts on Christmas. It is an anonymous way for parishioners and donors to give back to the community. Planning for the annual event begins in October, and carries on through the help of volunteers at the church. A form is given to schools throughout the county, where guidance counselors identify students that may qualify for the program, and provide information to the church that will help get the items the student wants and needs. “We helped 465 kids this year,” one of the volunteers said. A family from the church “adopts” one of the kids in need of gifts and will purchase them. Some of the families also use the excess toys that are placed in a “toy store,” which holds extra toys that were not used from previous drives, as well as donations. Clothes are also placed in a bag according to the child’s size, which is identified on a paper Christmas tree that is also attached to the bag. There is a unique number on the tree as well, which helps the volunteers overseeing the program identify the families when they come to pick up the bags of gifts. One of the concerns the church had was how the hurricanes were going to affect the program this year, according to one of the volunteers that oversaw the program. However, thanks to the generosity of the community and the church, they were able to have a successful drive. “We didn’t know how the disasters were going to affect our plans, but it all worked out,” she said. “God was good to us.” A majority of the families that received the gifts were lined up before 8 a.m. By the first rush, the fellowship hall had nearly been cleared, with the exception of about 15 bags. One of the bags had a fishing pole in it. Individuals who would like to help with next year’s efforts can contact the First United Methodist Church of Live Oak at (386) 362-2047.