St. Nicholas Ministry Celebrates 35 Years of Sharing and Serving
Christmas is coming! Churches, schools, businesses, helping agencies and individuals are working together to make Christmas a bit merrier for needy children, their families and the elderly. Through our cooperative efforts, the needy come to know we care. Boxes labeled St. Nicholas Ministry are placed in various locations for persons to donate, churches, schools, and businesses.
2022 marks the 35th year for reaching out to and helping needy persons in the tri-county area of Colorado, Fayette, and Lavaca Counties through the St. Nicholas Ministry. Our ecumenical ministry of churches provides food, new toys and gifts, blankets and quilts, and other items to needy children, their families, and the elderly at Christmas. Financial gifts from individuals, businesses, churches, and organizations, along with volunteers donating their time and energy are necessary to carry out this ministry.
It’s time to start collecting non-perishable food items, new toys, blankets and quilts designated for the St. Nicholas Ministry. Given rising inflation, food prices and shortages, we anticipate the need will be even greater and our ability to care for persons in need depends on the generosity of donors and the work of partner organizations. We are asking churches, schools, and businesses to place large boxes decorated with Christmas wrapping paper labeled St. Nicholas Ministry – Colorado and Fayette Counties in prominent locations so that needed items can be donated. Through the years, boxes to leave St. Nicholas donations have been placed in Wal-Mart, Brookshire Brothers, Dollar General in various communities of the tri-county area, and People State Bank. Morton’s and Hoffers also have jars to leave financial donations as well. We are always open to new partners in this ministry to needy persons.
We need help with collecting items, wrapping gifts, sorting food into boxes, and distribution. That work begins now purchasing needed items, collecting, preparing, sorting and wrapping. Persons and groups can bring gift items to Faith Lutheran Church, 615 South Eagle, Weimar. Call to arrange a drop off time for bringing items to Faith ahead of time. The distribution of food and gifts will be made in December and recipients will be notified of date and time for pick up. The distribution of food and gifts will be done at Faith in Weimar which serves as a central location.
Persons receiving gifts must have an approved referral form for this year on file. Pastors, priests, and staff of Parents as Teachers, Boys & Girls Club of Champion Valley, LAMB and other recognized food pantries, Hospice of South Texas, Texas Department of Human Services churches, Senior Citizens, Probation Department, public and parochial schools, and other organizations refer people they know are in need of assistance. If any legitimate referral groups need forms, contact Pastor Beyer at (361) 798-0155.
Monetary donations are appreciated. Please make checks payable to FAITH—St. Nicholas Ministry (for Colorado and Fayette Counties) and mail to P.O. Box 216, Weimar, Texas 78962. Such donations enable us to purchase needed items.
If you have any questions or want to help in some way, do not hesitate to call Pastor Herb Beyer at (361) 798-0155 or Sandy Pesak at (979) 249-7121.