JANUARY - The Light Center, Union, IL
The Light Center Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit, 501c3 organization that specializes in animal-assisted programming for challenged and at-risk youth. The Light Center barn is a uniquely designed facility; providing educational, recreational, and therapeutic services in what is truly the essence of serving special needs youth in the “least restrictive environment”. www.tlcinunion.org
FEBRUARY – FCC Love Fund
MARCH - Grafton Township Food Pantry
The Outreach Committee has designated the Grafton Township Food Pantry for the Mission for the month of March. www.northernilfoodbank.org
APRIL – One Great Hour of Sharing
The One Great Hour of Sharing Offering, administered by Wider Church Ministries, is the refugee, relief and development fund of the UCC. It provides support to people in more than eighty countries. www.onegreathourofsharing.org
MAY - Heifer International.
Across the globe Heifer International provides hungry families a practical way to alter their conditions by giving ducks, water buffalo, rabbits, llamas, goats and guinea pigs to help raise families out of poverty. For example, a family receives a goat that feeds their family, and then gives the offspring to another family. www.heifer.org
JUNE - Strengthen the Church
Your gift to Strengthen the Church builds the UCC's future now by funding The Stillspeaking Ministry, new and renewing churches, youth and young adult ministries, and lay and pastoral leadership formation - especially among women and people of color. Your offerings are directed to your church's Conference, Local Church Ministries, and The Stillspeaking Ministry for these church development, leader development and Stillspeaking purposes. www.ucc.org/stc/
JULY - Turning Point
Turning Point is a domestic violence agency. Their mission is to confront violence against women and children in McHenry County. They provide: 24 hour crises intervention, emergency shelter, food and clothing, counseling and a parenting program.
www.mchenrycountyturningpoint.org AUGUST - Family Health Partnership Clinic The Family Health Partnership Clinic provides quality Health Care to the residents of McHenry County. The Clinic operates with volunteer Physicians and other staff. They serve the uninsured and underinsured of McHenry County. Half of the patients are children who have delayed having care because they are uninsured and could not afford treatment. www.hpclinic.org
SEPTEMBER – PADS There are seven church sites in McHenry County that house PADS’s cold weather emergency shelter program. There is a van that provides transportation to and from each emergency church shelter. There is a live in shelter for the homeless off Kishwaukee Valley Road. Vocational services are provided. www.mchenrycountypads.com OCTOBER - Neighbors in Need (NIN) This is a special mission offering of the UCC that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects. NOVEMBER - Faith in Action Faith in Action is a non-profit interfaith organization that has been serving the seniors of McHenry County since 1998. Volunteers come from churches, synagogues and other houses of worship, as well as the community at large. They work with seniors in the community who live at home to assist them and their families in maintaining their independence, dignity and quality of life. Whether it is with a ride to the doctor, help with some light housekeeping, or a friendly visit, volunteers provide services to seniors in need of assistance at no cost. www.fiamchenrycounty.org DECEMBER– Christmas Fund - UCC