Christmas Drive for our Neighbors

In our chapels in November, we focused on how we can be Thoughtful Neighbors, one of our GRCS Portrait of a Graduate characteristics. We want our students and Christian school community to be “prepared to practice hospitality, compassion, service, and empathy for those around them.” For our annual Christmas drive, a group of our students has selected two area ministries to collect items for in order to help our neighbors in the community who are in need.

We will be collecting items in the month of December for Degage Ministries and Alpha Grand Rapids. You can learn more about these ministries below and what we can share with them. We will collect items until December 18 and will deliver them before Christmas break.

Dégagé Ministries offers help and hope to homeless and disadvantaged individuals in our community. It is located downtown on Division Avenue. You can learn more about Degage Ministries at www.degageministries.org.

The items we are collecting for Degage include:

blankets
socks
gloves
scarves
canned foods
snacks
chapstick
lotion
shampoo + conditioner
reusable bags
toothbrushes + toothpaste
Bibles.

The other ministry we selected this year is Alpha Grand Rapids. Their mission and vision follows: “Motivated by the love of Christ, Alpha Grand Rapids promotes abundant life by transforming hearts, enriching lives, and impacting generations. We believe that all people deserve the opportunity to live life abundantly. Our model of personalized care ensures that clients’ needs are met with expert help and genuine compassion. Free and confidential services provide comprehensive care, empowering people to thrive in all areas of their life.” You can learn more about Alpha at www.alphagrandrapids.org.

Alpha could use the following items:

coffee
coffee makers
dishes
twin sheets
blankets
coffee
coffee makers
coffee mugs
bath towels
irons
ironing boards
brooms and mops
reusable bags
cleaning products
baby blankets
Bibles.

We will also collect cash donations in the office, which will be used to purchase many of the items above. Please contact the school office with any questions. Thanks, in advance, for helping to support this Christmas drive to bless our neighbors in need in Grand Rapids.

—Eric Burgess