Christmas Complete

How has your year been?  For some it has been very difficult financially, and some have had to endure other problems; now Christmas is fast approaching.  How are those with children to find the money to buy presents when they struggle to survive from week to week?  Christmas, which should give hope, gives them worry and stress.

That is where SCRATCH (Southampton City and Region Action to Combat Hardship) and Christmas Complete come in!  Each year SCRATCH collects donations of presents and gives them out to carers who would otherwise be unable to treat their children.  Last Christmas they were able to provide parcels of presents to 2,563 children and young people.  The level of support enabled SCRATCH to help all the families that were referred to them by their trusted referral agents.  

So how can you help?  By donating presents or giving financial support! 

As a church we are looking to collect donations of new games, puzzles, crafts, stationery, toys, soft toys, sweets and books, as well as toiletries for teenagers.  You can bring these to The Ark, the Church Office or Sunday services up to the 7th of December.

In addition, you might want to donate financially to buy items in shortage areas.  To do this visit here.

The appreciation is shown by some of the e-mails received by SCRATCH:

“I would like to send my thanks to you all for all the help your charity has given me and my family. We had a Christmas delivery on Saturday this has saved Christmas for us in so many ways.”

“Despite me working my children and I are struggling financially, and I was unable to get them anything for Christmas. Your charity kindly dropped off a parcel that had presents for both of my boys and I just wanted to email and say a massive thank you for their gifts. I really can't express my gratitude to you all for making Christmas a little more special.”

“Thank you so much for my gifts you have actually saved my Xmas and taken away so much stress.”

So, let’s turn stress into hope for these in our community who are struggling, that through our gifts the light and love of the Christ Child will shine into their homes this Christmas.