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Community Corner

Willow Grove Church Helps Local Homeless Families

Willow Grove Church in Scotch Plains strengthens its commitment to combatting homelessness across Union County by hosting families during this holiday season.  People of all ages—kids, youth, and adults of many different generations—help with all aspects of this program.  Partnering with Family Promise of Union County, Willow Grove Presbyterian Church helps families, most with young children, with hot nightly meals, a refuge from the cold, and a warm bed at night.  These, along with companionship, conversation, and compassion, make the holiday season bearable for these families despite their challenging situation. 

Would you like to help?  Volunteers are needed to help our church members with providing and serving hot meals, setting up guests’ rooms, and being at our church during the families’ stay.  Both the families and the volunteers are screened to provide a safe and comfortable environment for all people involved.

“The holiday season is a particularly difficult time for the children in the program.  While their friends are talking about what gifts they want or expect to get, these children may not receive any gifts and if it weren’t for programs like this, these children wouldn’t even have a place to stay the night,” explains Jill Segulin, coordinator for the Willow Grove Church program.  Each Family Promise guest who stays at Willow Grove Church receives a care package upon their arrival.  Donations are also being accepted for the care package supplies to include: socks, shampoo and body wash, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrush, crayons, and a small age-appropriate toy for the children.

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Willow Grove Presbyterian Church is an active Christian congregation committed to spiritual growth for all ages, intergenerational friendships, and service to neighbors near and far.  To find out more about the Willow Grove Church-Family Promise program or how to volunteer or donate, please contact the church office at (908) 232-5678 or email office@willowgrovechurch.org.  Check our website: www.willowgrovechurch.org for information about our ministries and other activities coming this month.

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