Indiana—Members of the Elkhart Church's children and young-married Sabbath school class put their concern for the needs of others into action. The church is part of a community organization that screens and serves needy families. Through this organization, individuals are given the opportunity to provide Christmas for a needy family. Elkhart members have chosen to get involved for several years.

This year, the Elkhart Church provided Christmas for a husband and wife on the organization's list. In addition to delivering a full diabetic Christmas dinner basket, church members were able to provide new work jeans and t-shirts for the husband and several slacks and tops for the wife, along with many other clothing items. Christmas stockings were filled with toiletries, such as toothbrushes and paste, razors, and shampoo. Fun things were provided too, such as a book that had been requested.

Janine Finkbeiner says, "Every year the families we assist are overjoyed with what we bring. This year, I heard that the woman was especially pleased with the dress slacks we chose for her. Apparently, she [received] many compliments when she wore them."

To fund this outreach project, members of the class pooled their resources to hold a spaghetti supper that generated over $250. The children were encouraged to assist with the project. In addition to serving meals at the spaghetti dinner, some wrapped the gifts.

"It was as much a blessing to those who helped and were involved in whatever way they could, as it was to the family we were able to assist," stated Finkbeiner.

God blessed the members' efforts. "We actually had some money left over and got some toys for some other children in the area who are handicapped," exclaimed Finkbeiner. She added, "There are always plenty of programs to help if we just take time to listen."

Clareen Colclesser, Elkhart Church communication leader, and Janine Finkbeiner, Elkhart Church member