Gift of Giving

For the last few years at Christmas, on my husband's side of the family, we've decided to forgo presents. Instead, we pick a charity to bless.

Last year, we gave canned items and toiletries to a local food bank. This year, we are giving items to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) to distribute to others. We chose Newborn Kits. What is a Newborn Kit, you ask? Per their website:

"MCC distributes infant care kits to hospitals, clinics and refugee camps. Infant care kits are sent to assist mothers in giving their children a good start in Bosnia, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, North Korea, Serbia, Russia and Ukraine.
 

Contents (NEW items only, size 3-9 months)

• 2 gowns/sleepers (flannel or similar warm, soft material)
• 2 undershirts/onesies (short or long sleeves)
• 4 cloth diapers (flat-fold preferred)
• 1 receiving blanket (light weight fleece or flannel; minimum 92cm / 36 in)
• 4 safety pins (5cm / 2in)
• 1 large bar mild soap (leave in wrapper)
• 1 pair of socks
• 1 cap
• Remove packaging material (except soap) and fold into the receiving blanket. Fasten together with the safety pins.
• Contact your local MCC warehouse/activity center for a new design for hand-sewn gowns.
• Note: Items can either be purchased or hand sewn. Packages of precut materials are available from some MCC offices."

Our family chose to bless a girl and a boy this year. It was an honor to pray over our kits as we folded everything inside the receiving blanket.

Kits being made for MCC

If you'd like more information on the other kits MCC sponsors, visit http://www.mcc.org/kits. Have a blessed Christmas!