Dexter Daily Statesman: Local News: Local churches provide for Angels of Christmas (11/06/09)

It's a special group of adults who will meet early in November to do something for some very special children to make their holidays a little brighter.

It's a project called Angels of Christmas, devoted solely to answering the needs of foster families and foster children in Stoddard County.

Each year, representatives from area churches join together to ensure a bright Christmas for the families who provide for foster children in the county and the children for whom they care.

They do this in a number of unique fashions, as Project Coordinator Janet Moore relates.

"We take the teenage girls on a shopping spree and last year we were able to grant each girl $100 to spend. This money came from both church and individual donations, and it was wonderful to see the expressions on their faces when they were afforded the opportunity to make their own choices in selecting their purchases."

Additionally, the male teens were given gift certificates to purchase their items of choice at a local department store.

Foster families, their children and their foster children gather on a designated evening just prior to the Christmas holiday at which time a meal is served; and fun and games are provided. While some of the youths enjoy a shopping spree, younger children are treated to Christmas goodies and gifts.

Historically, Moore explains, each church involved concentrates on one project. A particular church may provide the meal for the evening, while another group provides bowling or video games. Another church group might be responsible for donating gifts for children ages birth to five and yet another for those six to 10.

"The children have even been provided with a shopping spree that enables them to shop for others. They might wish to buy Christmas for siblings or for their foster parents. It's up to them," says Moore.

Also available to individuals or to church groups are paper "angels" that may be purchased from Second General Baptist Church at a cost of from $25 to $30.

"Those proceeds," Moore explains, "go directly toward gifts for the children."

The efforts behind Angels of Christmas are entirely church driven, according to Moore, and there are a number of ways in which churches large and small may participate. Any church representative interested in obtaining further information or donating to the cause of Angels of Christmas are asked to contact Janet Moore at 573-624-7436 or in the evening hours at 624-6342,

The church representatives gather monthly prior to the December event.