Dec. 8 – Bringing Holiday Joy to Beacon House Children

Every year, AUUC members and friends bring joy into the lives of children and teens in Washington D.C.’s Beacon House community through our holiday gift donation program.

Beacon House is a nonprofit founded by UU minister Rev. Don Robinson 32 years ago as a safe, welcoming place to go after school for academic support, athletic and cultural opportunities, led by staff and volunteers dedicated to helping children achieve their full potential.

Along with other D.C. area UU churches, Accotink will again provide new toys, warm clothing, and gift cards for children and teens of color in D.C.’s Edgewood Commons where the average annual household income is roughly $12,000.

We offer two gift-selecting opportunities:

  1. You may sign-up to donate a gift for one of 15 specific Beacon House children or teens to fill their specific gift wish. You may also sign up here for specific items of new warm clothing and gift cards. Please visit Beacon House Holiday Gifts SignUp Genius 

    While all gifts are appreciated, the Beacon House staff has talked with each of their registered children and teens to ask them one holiday wish. AUUC has committed to meeting 15 of these children’s wishes this holiday season.

    Many BH children and teens enjoy the convenience of gift cards that allow them to shop independently and also to purchase gifts for others in their families. Beacon House staff suggest gift cards in $25 increments.

    If you are bringing a gift for a specific child, please attach a card with the child’s name securely to the gift.

    Gift cards for a specific child may be placed in an envelope with the child’s name. There is a special box for gift cards.

  2. OR, you may pick a star from our traditional “Tree of Stars” that you will see in the church gallery beginning Nov. 17. Each star will have the age of a Beacon House child or teen, along with a few stars for adults & families served by Beacon House.

Please bring your UNWRAPPED gift to church by Sunday, Dec. 8th.  Place your gifts in one of the green bins inside the church. Gift cards may be placed in the special small box.

If you need a gift idea, please visit Beacon House Gift Ideas 2024. Beacon House serves over 60 children and teens plus many more in their athletic programs, so there are lots of needs and plenty of choices!

AUUC’s support of Beacon House is sponsored by the Social Justice Committee and led by liaisons Nancy Davis and Marsha White. If you have any questions, please contact Nancy. Thank you!

 

Posted December 1, 2024