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2007

Toy Project - December 2007

A few of the volunteers include: Bev and Patty Larimore, Walt McKeon, Ginny Hatch, Cindy Gorman, Rev Chong Choi, Charlotte Perham, Elijah Meserve, Ray Turner, Karen Hawkins

Toys Galore

The sparkling white snow blankets the earth, covering the drab brown earth. The air is crisp and cold. Cars and trucks festooned with dark green fir trees hurry home. Young children impatiently wait with anticipation, older ones drag out the multi-colored lights; checking them for faulty bulbs. Cherished ornaments are carefully unpacked.

It’s Christmas time. Tis the season to be jolly, or so the saying goes. For many families this is true but for many other families, the season is a time for sadness and depression. Their lives are fraught with financial difficulties and the thought of a barren tree with no presents to adorn its base is cause for concern and worry. What about the children??

Toy Project 2007 to the rescue! The concerted efforts of area individuals and organizations brings joy to those children whose Christmas was looking grim. The diligent efforts of Bev and Patty Larimore provide smiles for not only the children receiving unexpected gifts, but also for all the people involved with making this wondrous event such a success.

Christmas this year will be brighter for over 125 families in the Bridgton area because of the outpouring of generosity. Many thanks go to Bev and Patty, the V.F.W., the Bridgton Hospital, Lyons Club, Hamm Foundation, Bridgton Order of the Eastern Star, and local churches (Bridgton United Methodist Church, Congregational Church, St. Joseph’s and St’ Peter’s).

The “behind-the-scenes” helpers outdid themselves this year. More people than ever came together to help, clean, sort, pack and deliver hundreds of gifts to area families in need of an extra smile this year. Extreme gratitude is offered to each and every individual helping make this year’s project a great success.

Should you feel moved to participate in this worthwhile event, contact Bev or Patty at 693-3476. They will put you on the list to help with next year’s project. Checks made out to Bridgton United Methodist Church (P.O. Box 207, Bridgton, ME 04009) with a note designating the donation for the “Toy Project” are gratefully welcome. The Larimores take advantage of the after Christmas sales and purchase items for next year’s event, so all donations go even further.

 

 

Thank you Peter Moran for graciously donating your time and talent to help lighten our Vestry with a new coat of paint.

Handicap Accessible Bathroom Project

Thank You, Bruce Skillin, for helping to make this project a success. A thank you, also, to the Anonymous Donor for the financial support allowing our church to complete our Handicap Accessible Bathroom Project.

2006

Toy Project - December 2006

Rev Chong, Bev, Peggy and Patty (left to right) sorting toys.

Patty and Rev Chong pack a bag with toys.

What would a child’s Christmas be without presents under the tree? Often you read about families in far away places struggling just to make ends meet. It is difficult to put food on the table and fuel in the furnace. There is no money left for extras. Organizations throughout the world solicit donations from generous people who wish to help the less fortunate.

Here in the Lakes Region area, there are also local families who struggle to provide basic necessities to their children. The yearly “Toy Project” helps fulfill the wishes of those children whose parents have no way to buy a deeply desired special toy.

Applications are passed out during the Thanksgiving season and names are submitted by observant citizens. The information is compiled and lists are made up matching children’s wishes with numbers to insure anonymity. Jeanette Graffam, from the Congregational Church, coordinates the efforts of merry volunteer elves. Some shop, some sort and pack bags full of holiday joy, others provide transportation for project. Local church groups and the Fire Department communicate with each other to avoid duplication of gifts. Donations of money and items from local businesses and individuals make the Toy Project possible. Local families also “adopt” an anonymous family and provide gifts for the children in that family. This is truly a community effort.
           
After the lists are made up, the shopping is done, and the items sorted, Bev and Patty Larimore, of the Bridgton United Methodist Church, work diligently to match up each child’s wish list with the available items. They have worked together on this project for about 10 years. Often last minute shopping is required to purchase a few more items needed to fulfill a special “wish.” The Larimore’s efforts are the final step in this wonderful project before the gift-filled bags are transported back to the Congregational Church for disbursement to the recipient families.

The care and joy seen in each volunteer’s face truly represents what Christmas is all about. People giving of themselves, whatever they are able, in order to make an unknown child’s Christmas morning bright. It is with gratefulness the Bridgton United Methodist Church wishes to thank all of those individuals who helped make this year’s Toy Project successful.

A big thank you to Peter & Ruth Jane Berry.
They donated a wonderful commercial kitchen stove to replace our ancient one,
in loving memory of their Aunt Helen Smith Whitney.

 

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