Advent Giving Tree 2020 – NEW OPTION for Giving via Immaculate Conception Church’s Giving Tree!

While we will not be able to organize the usual Advent Giving Tree program as in years past, there are several ways you can still help a family in need this holiday season.

Great news! Immaculate Conception Church has invited our parishioners to join in and participate in their Advent Giving Tree, which benefits many of the organizations that St. John’s regularly helps via our Poor Box contributions.

Gifts are organized on a Sign-Up Genius available here.

The sign-up indicates to return gifts to Immaculate Conception’s “Brown House,” however you may also return unwrapped, tagged gifts to the narthex of St. John Church by noon on the due dates listed on the sign-up.

If you have any questions, please contact Mary Beth Bressler at bresslermb@sjehydes.org.

There are also a few organizations with giving options to consider:  Catholic Charities, Toys for Tots, Salvation Army.

Thank you to all the “angels” who have faithfully helped families through our Advent Giving Tree outreach.

The Advent Giving Tree project has been going on at St. John for more than 20 years. Our parishioners have provided the joy of Christmas to thousands of people who otherwise would have nothing at Christmas. Every year, parishioners choose a gift suggestion card during the first weekend of Advent, then return the wrapped gift, with the card attached to the outside, to the narthex of the church by the published date. The gifts are then sorted, bagged, and delivered to needy organizations in Baltimore City.

In mid-December, volunteers are needed to divide the gifts into families, check to make sure each person has a gift, and bag up the gifts – labeling them with the family code. The next morning, the bags are loaded onto a truck and delivered downtown. About 15 volunteers are needed for approximately 4 hours.

What a wonderful way to help the needy and get into the Christmas spirit!

Contact Mary Beth Bressler at 410-592-6206, or bresslermb@sjehydes.org

Donations of new gloves, mittens and hats for the needy are requested to help them prepare for the winter chill. These items may be deposited in the basket/bin located in the narthex of the church.  Watch the bulletin and parish calendar for collection dates.

Contact Pat Loeffler at 410-877-7287 or wflpml@yahoo.com.