News from the Hill December 21, 2007 | back to index
Christmas ShoeBox Ministry Serves over 300 People!
While most of us are getting back into our normal routines after many days of celebrating the holidays with family members and friends, many of our neighbors are not so fortunate. In fact, each night in Boston over 6,500 adults in Boston are homeless, and it’s estimated that over 22,000 people in Massachusetts are homeless. While the average age of homeless adults is 24, families with children are the fastest growing segment of this population. There are more than 2,000 homeless families in Boston alone. That’s why the Shoebox Ministry is so important. By giving a small box full of essential items to one of these homeless neighbors, we extend the love of God as well and remind people that someone somewhere is thinking of them at Christmas.
In response to this need, on Friday, December 21, 2007 a small group of Andover Newton students, faculty, and staff gathered to help Victory House staff carry over 300 shoe box gifts out to their waiting van. The shoeboxes were distributed to people at Victory House as well as the Pine Street Inn. The ministry was sponsored this year by the ANTS Baptist Student Fellowship and the Black Student Fellowship, with students Toni DiPina and Emily Leavitt heading up the efforts. Contributions came from the Andover Newton community, as well as from local churches, synagogues, schools, and local businesses, as well as from our neighbor on the hill, Hebrew College. Start saving those shoeboxes now so you can participate in this ministry next year. A full list of participants follows below (and many apologies if we missed anyone!):
East Burke Congregational United Church of Christ in East Burke, VT
East Congregational United Church of Christ, East Concord, NH
Central Square Congregational Church in Bridgewater, MA
First Baptist Church of Tewksbury, MA
First Baptist of Plymouth, MA
First Baptist Church of Beverly, MA
Park Street Church in Boston, MA
Mass Ave Baptist Church, MA
Newton North High School, Newton, MA
Pnai Yeladim (Faces of Children), MA
B’nai Or of Boston, MA
Hebrew College, Newton Centre, MA
EmbroidMe (a business who donated winter hats), MA
Andover Newton Faculty, Staff, and Students
