Editor’s Note: CFNA held its first Giveaway four years ago. This year, there were three: school supplies in August, laptop computers in October, and a Christmas giveaway in December. CFNA Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Stanish Stanley, tells us about the recently concluded 4th Annual Christmas Giveaway.

More than 70 New American families from a dozen birth nations stopped by the Peace Center during the four-day event to receive items such as hand sanitizer, masks, cleaning supplies, washing detergent, soap, hygiene & dental items, paper towels, toilet paper, clothes, blankets, and more. Nations represented included Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Congo, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Eritrea.

Hundreds of gifts were provided by numerous churches, organizations, and individuals determined to be involved in something larger than themselves. These included the LCMS district and synod offices, the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF), New Beginnings, and Teresa Nelson’s Sunday Sisters, as well as individuals, such as the friends of Brian and Sam Schaeffer and the Mark Kiessling family.

None of this would have been possible without the help of more than 30 volunteers from the above-referenced organizations, churches, and more, who served as greeters and helped with registration as well as the staging and distribution of the numerous gifts.

Unsolicited words of gratitude and thanks were received from numerous recipients. Omar from Sudan wanted us to know: “You guys here are really good people trying to help us. It is always nice to see you and be blessed by you, God bless you this Christmas.” Other thankful responses highlighted the joy of receiving. “Thank you for this many things and Merry Christmas,” said Indira from Nepal. Recently arrived Gaston from Congo made an effort to express, “Thank you for gifts.”

CFNA offers sincere thanks to all the generous donors and volunteers who helped make this Giveaway possible. We wish all of them and all of you safety and good health, along with a very blessed Christmas and New Year!

By Rev. Stanish Stanley
Executive Director, CFNA, St. Louis

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Christmas Giveaway 2020