Even if you can’t hammer a nail or paint a wall, there are many ways to serve through Habitat for Humanity. Check out their website for a wide array of volunteer opportunities that involve fundraising, grant writing, public relations, youth programs, etc…

And, if you are handy in the kitchen, you might consider making sandwiches or snacks for a work crew on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

In terms of fundraising, Habitat sponsors the Hike for Humanity every May or June. It is a 3 mile pledge walk on Mount Monadnock or at the Blue Hills Reservation, with the option to walk on either the Saturday or Sunday of that weekend. TCC is planning to participate in the 2009 Hike.

For more than 35 years, TCC has made a substantial donation to Heifer International in order to purchase gift animals for the poor. In recent years, a 4-6 week Heifer Campaign is run and consists of a coin bank distribution to the Sunday School children, the sale of Mother’s Day cards (as a fundraising effort) and a worship collection on the final day of the program. You can help by contributing to the fundraising efforts OR by assisting in the many facets of the educational program. In 2008, the Missions Committee selected the llama as our “gift animal” of the year and proceeded to organize the front lawn visitation of 3 alpacas as an educational opportunity for the Sunday School Program. We are always searching for creative souls to help in raising both funds and awareness for Heifer International.

Additionally, you can visit one of Heifer’s five US-based Learning Centers right here in Massachusetts at Overlook Farm in Rutland, MA. They offer educational programs and farm tours throughout the year. Go to heifer.org and search for Overlook Farm for more information.

Supporting the Lazarus House Thrift Shops is an excellent way to help. Because they sell your donated goods at such a reduced cost, the working poor in the Lawrence community are able to purchase affordable clothing, toys, and household goods. Plus, Thrift Store profits fund the Lazarus House operating costs.

You can also donate certain items directly to the shelter. Among their most requested items are: toiletries, diapers, formula, new underwear and socks (especially mens), food pantry items, paper goods, cleaning supplies, office supplies and furniture.

And, another fun way to help is to participate in their annual 5 mile Hike for Hope pledge walk. See their website for more information.

TCC currently sponsors two children through Mayan Families; Florinda and Dario. Both of their families have major needs (especially Florinda’s), and you are welcome to make a direct financial contribution to assist either family with food, traditional clothing, or furnishings. You can do so via credit card directly through their website (be sure to indicate that the contribution is for Florinda #120 or Dario #125), and your gift is tax deductible.

Additionally, you can purchase Guatemalan jewelry and crafts through the Mayan Families Support Store, with profits supporting MF Programs. http://www.mayanfamiliessupportstore.com

Since 1999, TCC has sponsored Peterson Tanis from Haiti. We have but one opportunity a year to send him a (shoebox size) care package, so there are limitations to what we can send.

Other ways to help New Missions would be to personally sponsor a child’s education or to contribute to one of their many program initiatives including: Middle School Construction, Church “Planting,” Rice for Haiti, Medical Clinic, Musical Instruments and Church Sound System.

Like any residential program, donations of food, household goods, linens, and cleaning products are warmly accepted.

Additionally, there are many volunteer opportunities which include: construction, auto repair, computers, child care, health care, general maintenance, correspondence, food preparation, mentoring, transportation for residents, plumbing and heating, electrical work, and fundraising.

TCC supports Protestant Campus Ministries at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell by donating used toner cartridges. PCM collects them and earns cash to support their administrative costs.

Please consider donating your cartridges to PCM by placing them in the basket located by the mailboxes outside of the church office.

Food donations to the Pantry can be made at the side entrance to the church at any time, but the third Sunday of each month is officially designated as Food Pantry Sunday. The following is a list of highly requested items: canned goods, PB&J, cereal, pasta, coffee, baking needs, condiments, sugar-free products, dish and laundry soap, toiletries, napkins, paper towels, tissues, trash bags, paper plates and plastic ware. Please note that, by law, the Pantry is required to discard any donation that has passed its expiration or “freshness” date. Also, they can not accept open packages of any kind.

In November, TCC donates 150 bags of potatoes for the Thanksgiving Basket program. And, on the second Saturday in May, TCC sends a crew of volunteers to help sort donations from the Postal Carrier Food Drive.

For several years, TCC has been supplying the VNOC with toiletry donations for their residents and visitors to their outreach center. Of special value to this community of (mostly) men are razors, shaving cream and combs.

They also accept new men’s socks, underwear, t-shirts, gloves, and hats. For their residential program, new sheets, pillows, and towels are appreciated. And for recreation, they accept paperback books, decks of cards, and puzzle books.

The list of accepted items is almost too large to list, but it includes the following: furniture, large appliances, linens, baby gear (cribs, pack and plays, exersaucers, strollers, diapers, etc…), clothing (in season only, as storage is limited), small appliances and basic kitchen needs, electronics, etc…

Because there is such a quick turnaround of donated items, please… label your clothing and linen donations with sizes, fully clean all items, do not donate damaged items because they cannot repair the items yet they pay a high price for trash removal, and break-down all large items for car transport with instructions and small pieces clearly attached.