Christian Peterson
reporter.riverbendnews@gmail.com
The holiday season is officially in full swing; Thanksgiving is nearing and many are already looking ahead to Christmas. Christmas is a highlight for many people, and for good reason. However, even in Suwannee County there are those less fortunate who are wondering how they will be able to bring gifts home for their children. It is here that First United Methodist Church (FUMC) felt the call to step up. In recent years, the program known as God's Hidden Angels was run by Love INC and the Live Oak Fire Department.
Unfortunately, since the COVID pandemic, these entities have been unable to host the program. This is where FUMC saw its opportunity to help out.
The program reaches out to the Suwannee County School District, which will discreetly locate at-need children in both the public and private school systems. The district then shares this information with FUMC, which adds them to a continually growing list. As of Friday, Nov. 17, there are currently 371 children signed up for the program. When someone chooses to adopt an angel, they are provided with a number instead of a name in order to retain privacy for the children and their families. They are also told the child's gender, age, shirt size, pant size, dress size and shoe size, along with something the child needs and something they want. Adoptees are then given until Friday, Dec. 15, to purchase and drop off the items at FUMC.
If any one person or even a business is interested in adopting an angel, there are a few steps and information to comprehend. First, interested individuals should contact FUMC by calling the church office at (386) 362-2047. They will then be provided with an angel containing all information needed. The angel and gifts must be returned no later than Friday, Dec. 15. Each gift should have the child's number written on it and the UPC code should be marked through with permanent marker. If it is possible, provide one to two rolls of wrapping paper and scotch tape. This allows parents to wrap the gifts themselves and partake in giving Christmas to their children.
“We ask that you be in prayer that each gift for a child touches the lives of that child and family. We also ask that you be in prayer for the success of this endeavour as we step out in faith and share the love of the Lord with those less fortunate,” FUMC said.
The church is located at 311 Ohio Ave. S, in Live Oak.