WEST LAWN, PA – On Tuesday, July 9, 2019, West Lawn United Methodist Church will deliver over 60 reusable tote bags overflowing with donations to Wilson’s Whitfield Elementary School. These donations are a result of West Lawn’s recent Vacation Bible School (VBS) outreach, where the over 340 registered children brought in requested items each night.
Prior to this summer’s June 9-13, 2019 VBS event, West Lawn established an “Adopt-A-School” ministry with Whitfield, under the direction of Principal Dr. Stacey Stoudt. Many West Lawn members helped at Whitfield during the school year as Breakfast Buddies, Book Buddies, and Recess Support helpers. “What I love so much about West Lawn Church is that we take an area of ministry that we see as one of our strengths, such as our children’s and family ministry programs, and find a way to turn it into a ministry and mission beyond just our campus. Knowing that there are so many other children that could benefit from experiencing the compassion of God‘s love, we looked right down the street to Wilson’s Whitfield elementary school. Pastor Jeff Raffauf and myself approach the principal, Dr. Stoudt, and asked if there were any ways our congregation could help at the school, and immediately we heard a loud and clear ‘Yes!’” added Kelly Rismiller, West Lawn’s Director of Children and Family Ministries.
Starting in April 2019, West Lawn began a partnership with Wilson School District’s Whitfield Elementary School for the purposes of building a strong, sustaining relationship with this school, and providing help to transform the lives of children right here in West Lawn UMC’s neighborhood. Member of West Lawn now show God’s love to children in many specific and tangible ways in this school through this Adopt-A-School outreach ministry.
In May, Whitfield identified items they could use for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year. West Lawn, then communicated this list to the VBS participants, and asked for donations each night of the following items: School Supplies, Sanitizing Wipes & Hand Sanitizer, Band Aids & Rubber Medical Gloves, Boy & Girl Shirts and Pants, Brand New Boy & Girl Underwear. By the end of VBS, the Church received hundreds of these items, which will all be delivered to Whitfield on July 9.
