Fundraising for Trip

Some of you may know that I am participating in a fundraiser at my church called scrip. Lets say I buy a $100 gift card to Kroger groceries, now Kroger gives 5% back to the church's mission fund and they split that with me 50%. So the church gets $2.50 and I get $2.50 and plus I get my $100 Kroger card. Sounds like a great plan right. SO... since the Holidays are coming up and you are already going to be buying gift cards or using gift cards to buy Christmas gifts then why not help me earn some money to go back to Liberia this spring. There is about 1600 different stores that participate so if you have any questions you can email me or check the website for details. www.glscrip.com Here is a Holiday Gift Idea flyer from Great Lakes scrip to jumpstart your mind. I order all gift cards on Sunday and pick them up the following Sunday, I would have them mailed to you buy that next day. So act fast because Christmas is coming soon!!! Merry Christmas.

Great Lakes Scrip Center
2007 Holiday Gift Guide

Gifts For Mom
Pamper Mom with a Spafinder gift certificate ($25), redeemable nationwide at the Spafinder network of luxury spas. Or, give her the gift of timeless classic clothing with a Talbot’s gift card ($25). If she enjoys cooking, she’ll enjoy a gift from Williams Sonoma ($25), the place for cooks. Moms like to shop, so set her loose at the mall with a gift card from Macy’s ($25/$100) or JCPenney ($25/$100). Pier 1 Imports ($25) has personal and home items from around the world. Finally, don’t forget Bath & Body Works ($10/$25), the store for personal gifts of skin care, fragrance and home decor.

Stuff For Dads
Get Dad off the sofa with a Cabela’s ($25) or a Golfsmith ($25) gift card. Dad probably has a fix-it list around the house, so give him a Sears gift card ($25/$100/$250), where he’ll find a big selection of Craftsman tools, or Lowe’s Home Improvement ($25/$100/$500) where he’ll find the supplies. L.L. Bean ($25/$100) has the clothing to make Dad look great, and Borders ($10/$25) has the books and music he loves. And don’t forget his favorite electronics stores - Best Buy ($25/$100/$250) and Circuit City ($50/$100) where you’ll find DVDs, computer stuff, or that HDTV he’s been dreaming of.

For Young People
Start your holiday shopping at Staples ($25) for electronic gifts like digital cameras and MP3 players. Your young friend loves new music, so give him or her an iTunes gift card ($15). Speaking of entertainment, send them to AMC Theatres ($25) or Regal Theatres ($25). After the movie, how about a snack at Coldstone Creamery ($10) or Jamba Juice ($10). Finally, your college kid is more likely to call home if

Teacher Gifts
The holidays are a great time to show your appreciation for teachers. Start her day with a treat from Starbucks ($10/$25). Barnes and Noble “Teacher Card” ($20) is something she’ll enjoy, and AMC Theatres ($25) has holiday movies she wants to see. After a hard day at school, how about dinner out? Popular favorites are Panera Bread ($10), Max & Erma’s ($20) or TGI Fridays ($25). Or maybe teacher needs a relaxing night at home. Blockbuster Night Cards ($12) can be redeemed for 2 movie rentals, popcorn, and beverages. And the Dominos Combo certificate ($14) is good for a delicious large pizza and a two liter Coca-Cola product delivered free.

Remember The Babysitter
Claire's ($10) is holiday headquarters for girl stuff - jewelry, handbags and funky accessories. She’ll be sure to find fragrance or skin care products at Bath & Body Works ($10/$25). How about a movie? A Regal Theatre Single Admission is just $9.00 and a Blockbuster Single Rental is just $3.79 Of course, your babysitter likes music, so why not give her some with an iTunes ($15) gift card. And for a really special treat, send her to Build-A-Bear Workshop ($25) for a one-of-a-kind custom teddy bear.

For The Person Who Has Everything
If you’re stumped on what to buy, give a gift certificate to Amazon.com ($25) - Amazon offers books, movies, DVDs, electronics and much, much more. Or how about a gift card to Macy’s ($25/$100), redeemable at 800 stores nationwide. Brookstone ($25) offers hard-to-find gift items. Or how about the gift of travel? Send your loved one on a trip with Marriott ($50/$100), American Airlines ($100/$250) Best Western ($25/$100) or Disney ($25/$100/$1000) gift cards, And if you’re still stumped, no one can resist a “one pounder “ from See’s Candies ($14.50), redeemable for one pound of See’s treats).

Use Scrip For Business Gifts, Too
Celebrate the holidays and show your appreciation for business associates. Fannie May Candies ($10) will be welcome in any home or office. Hickory Farms ($10 ) offers tasty gourmet gifts. A Harry & David ($25) luscious fruit basket makes a wonderful impression. Send them out for dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse ($25). You can even get the traditional ham or smoked turkey from your friends at Honey Baked Ham ($10).

The beginning!

April 2007, my life changed when I stepped foot in Liberia, Africa for the first time. I never could have imagined the impact these people or this country was going to have on my life. The once beautiful country has been ripped to shreds by a long civil war. A civil war has left their own country without running water, sewage system, electricity, or means to make a living. My job??? To find the need (which wasn't difficult) and what it would take to build and run a clinic. What I found out??? I was way in over my head and these people needed much more than just a clinic. They needed food, jobs, schools, churches, shelter and the list could go on... I met with several people and clinics to see what a third world clinic looks like (and we are not talking state of the art here). I gathered enough information to be able to come back to the states to start this project. I've done countless research, visited a few churches and networked with a few other organizations on other clinics. I want to thank my friends at St. James' UCC Church in Louisville for the money they collected to help us start this project. We are needing much more where that came from. We have shipped a container this past month over to Liberia containing some medical supplies that have been donated so far. The Lord has continued to bless us according to this project and I praise him for that. I ask that you continue to pray for Liberia and the people there, the clinic project, and for Sarah Kangar PA, who is overseeing the clinic in Liberia. If you have any groups or churches I could share my story of these people with please let me know. We are still looking for monetary and medical supply donations. Please keep praying for we know the Lord will provide.

Joni Woodlee