Thank you to EVERYONE who helped with the school bag kits. They will be delivered to the depot Tuesday, September 24th, where they will be picked up by Church World Services and then sent to a needy place. Thank you to those who made the cloth bags, donated fabric for the bags, bought school supplies or donated money to the cause and came to Church Fest and packed the bags. Your generosity is never a surprise but is always heartwarming!

Thank you,

Linda Benn and Trina Parsons

Dear Partners in God's Ministry,

Grace and peace to you and yours through our Lord Jesus Christ, who makes us one.

As we embark on the long, hot days of summer, we give thanks for the faithful support of churches like yours. On behalf of the Presbyterian Church (USA), please allow me to express our appreciation to you, your pastor, session, and congregation for your gracious and faithful support. Your church's support changes lives for the sake of the Gospel not only here but also around the world.

On behalf of Presbyterian Mission, please convey our appreciation to your mission committee, pastor, session, and congregation for your gracious and faithful support. 

Thank you for your witness to the Great Commission and your partnership in mission.

Yours in Christ,

Sy Hughes

Ministry Engagement Advisor

Occice of Ministry Engagement and Support

From Linda Benn:

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who signed up to donate blood on August 20. Because of your generosity and dedication to helping others we were able to collect 44 pints of blood, a record number for us. That’s pretty amazing when you consider

that each one of these pints can help to save three lives!

And a special thank you to Maryann Piersall, Mary Raye Cox, and Trina Parsons who helped to verify appointments, log in donors, answer questions, and refill the refreshment table with drinks and snacks. The generous gift of your time and heart

was greatly appreciated.

Looking forward to another successful blood drive from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM on January 21, 2025.

From Becky Paul;

Thanks for all your hard work to make this event such a success!  Throughout the two-day event we helped 1125 students from 454 families start their school year with confidence and excitement.  We were so blessed to have the Salvation Army distribute 823 shoe vouchers, good for a $40 purchase at the Shoe Department store.

Interfaith Community Council is grateful for all our member churches and as your Interfaith representative I am thankful for all the support from our Presbyterian Church with your generous donations of money, clothing and volunteer hours. The two fundraisers (Angela’s and Harry’s Ale House) raised $600; every dollar is stretched for purchases and your attendance at these dinners is much appreciated. Kudos to Vicky Wilder’s movement class who cleaned up the used shoes to make them look new

again, and made it their mission to donate needed items as well.

Shopping has begun for next year and will be in high gear when back to school clearance begins. Leftover shoes from the Weecycled Wardrobe consignment sale will be picked up and lost and found coats will be collected from schools before long. Used sweatshirts hoodies for high school age are always needed; there was a shortage of that size this year so please consider

those for donation for 2025. School Dressing Days is an ongoing year-round mission with plenty of opportunities to volunteer and serve. If you would like to be on the School Dressing Days committee to help plan, shop, or organize clothing at the storage unit please contact Becky Paul at bcmrpaul@cox.net or 540-220-7161. It takes a village!

The Interfaith Council received this e-mail right after the event from a mom who wanted to express her gratitude. It is what the School Dressing Days program is all about- assisting families and having wonderful volunteers like this who treat them with dignity and respect. We can always use more volunteers to escort families as their “personal shopper” and it is a very

rewarding experience. Join us next year!

Hello,

Today, my family was assisted by two wonderful individuals who truly made a difference in the lives of my children. As a mom trying to manage all of the moving parts that go along with day-to-day operations for multiple kids, I am so grateful to have received help from these incredible people.

Two volunteers were so very patient and compassionate as we went through the process of walking from room to room. Overall, they demonstrated such a compassionate demeanor - and that really stood out to me. The volunteeer truly went above and beyond to not only assist my children with their selections, but also make it a point to

ensure that everyone felt heard/seen/validated. She was especially kind and each of my kids appreciated being under her wing.

Thank you to InterFaith for organizing this event and aiding local families like mine.

From Elizabeth Snader, Campus Minister:

We are thankful for the ways you have given to the CCC so that students, faculty, and staff of UMW have a place to experience community and grow in faith. Without your time, prayers, financial gifts, meals and generous hearts, we would not have made it through this challenging year.

From Katerina Vollten, Director of Development:

Because of donors like you: domestic

violence survivors were able to shelter in a place without the constant fear of harm from their abusers, hardworking Virginians secured their income, circumventing poverty throughout a public health crisis, and families avoided evictions. Because of you:

lives were changed.