Mission Committee - December 2025

New Intergenerational Mission & Service Opportunities

There are new opportunities for adults and youth to work together to serve others. Please prayerfully consider participating in one of these events as a family, and/or encourage your youth to volunteer.

Through Sunday, December 7 – Used (or new) Toy Collection

As we enter the season of Advent, one important way we can engage children is in sharing. We are partnering with Play It Forward Pittsburgh to collect gently used toys. Play It Forward organizes the toys and hosts a free shopping event for families in need. This is a great time to recycle toys from your home or encourage a child in your life to select a toy (or two) to share with another child. Donations will be collected in bins located inside the portico entrance and outside of the nursery through Sunday, Dec. 7th. Visit their website for more info.

Holiday Season Giving Trees

The Mission Committee has chosen three ways to help those in need this holiday season. We'll be putting up the trees after church on November 30, and you may choose to participate in a variety of ways. All are helpful.

Greater Pittsburgh Community Foodbank -- You'll find tags with various dollar amounts on them. We are all well aware of the food crisis many face, and even though federal funding is being restored, it will take time for people to get back to a fully stocked pantry. You may select a tag with a specific dollar amount, make your check payable to Bower Hill Community Church with Greater Pittsburgh Community Foodbank noted on the memo line, and return your contribution to the church office. Financial gifts to the foodbank allow the organization to purchase needed foodstuffs that are not otherwise supplied to them.

Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh -- In times of economic hardship, animal shelters experience an increase in pet surrenders due to financial difficulties, leading to overcrowding and strain on resources. We'll be collecting dog and cat food and treats, toys, leashes, and other items. In addition to your purchase of new and unopened gifts, we will also collect in-kind gifts -- things like newspaper (try finding some of that these days!), along with your old blankets and bath towels (no pulls or holes please). You will

find a labeled bin for these items downstairs by the church office.

Jared Boxes – Bower Hill Youth are partnering with the Mission Committee to make shoebox-sized bins filled with small toys, games, cards and other items. All items must be new, and food items are not permitted. The boxes will be provided to children

during their hospital stays at Allegheny Health Network - Canonsburg, and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh South. To sponsor a box, select a tag from the tree (suggested items to buy are listed on the tags), and take an empty box under the tree to be sure items fit in the box. Return your filled boxes back under the tree by the end of December.

(2) Help to assemble the Jared Boxes. This will be done in early January (date to be determined).

Be sure to grab a tag or two at this holiday season to help make life a bit easier for others, humans and pets alike!