Christmas Give Away 2022
/The 5th Annual CFNA, “Christmas Give Away” consisting of winter clothing, house-use items and more was held at the Peace Center during the 14th – 16th of December. The beneficiaries were the numerous refugee and immigrant families living in St. Louis. This special event also included Christmas music, cookies and hot chocolate, and this year saw the highest number of New American participants ever.
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Around 140 families representing up to 700 individuals from 13 birth nations picked up clothes, winter coats, laundry items, dental and hygiene items, body lotions, creams, school supplies and kitchen products. As he filled up his bag of items, Jagdish, a refugee from India, pointed out – “The weather is cold and difficult, but this place and all you people are so warm and loving. You teach us driving, and now you also give us these gifts at Christmas. Thank you, and Happy Birthday Jesus.”
This annual event has always given CFNA an opportunity to share the gift of “baby Jesus” with that part of the world that is now making St. Louis its home. This year, led by CFNA Operations Associate, Mr. Gary Schaefer, over 35 volunteers helped set up items during the mornings and distribute the same during the evenings of each of the three days. Colleen, a volunteer from New Beginnings Lutheran shared, “It brings such joy to us when we see all these people from other countries pick up their items. It gives us an opportunity to know them, talk to them and see their families. They have gone through so much, and we get to bring some joy into their lives. This is what we should be doing during Christmas.”
CFNA is especially blessed to have the support and participation of our many Mission Partners who make it possible to share these Christmas gifts with New American families. Volunteers and donors for the event came from Lutheran High School South, the LCMS MO District, and more than 12 Lutheran congregations in the area. Additionally, many individuals who just wanted to serve others as Jesus continues to serve us participated as well. CFNA is thankful for all of them, as they represent the highest tradition of Christ centered “giving with love”.
As we express our heart-felt thanks to them, we also thank all our Ministry Facilitators, Board members and CFNA staff for their service of encouragement, hope and witness. We pray that all our readers, volunteers, supporters and New American participants are blessed with a Merry Christmas and New Year.
By Rev. Stanish Stanley, Executive Director, CFNA, with
Rev. Al Buckman, Board Chair
