The Tree of Giving at St. Mark’s supports Lutheran Community Services’ efforts to bring Christmas joy to teens and young adults who have settled in Spokane as unaccompanied refugee minors. These young people, ages 15-20, are living in foster homes, group homes, and beginning to set up their own apartments. This year we are buying for 21 youth from Bangladesh, Guatemala, Honduras, Guinea, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Congo, Eritrea, Senegal, and Ghana, as well as three girls who are arriving soon.

As in the past, and at the request of LCS, we will be purchasing gift cards as well as an additional more tangible item for each of their foster youth with the money you contribute. These gifts will allow each recipient the opportunity to purchase exactly what they need or want while also having a tangible gift that expresses our love for them. St. Mark’s congregation has always been amazingly generous, and these gifts are hugely appreciated by the young people who receive them

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The tree will be up after Thanksgiving, but you can make your gift at any time. You can contribute through this QR code, by dropping an envelope in the offering plate, via mail, or by going to the Offering/Giving tab on our web page.

Please donate by Sunday, December 8. You may contact Susan Hagen at 509.220.7250 if you have questions.

Thank you in advance for supporting these courageous young people!

We are also supporting the families in the East Central neighborhood this holiday season. We are collecting donations for Fred Meyer gift cards for one last time. Please mark “SPEAR” on checks written to St Mark’s. The QR code allows you to contribute, as well.  If you prefer to purchase a $25 Fred Meyer gift card, they can be turned into St. Mark’s office. Thanks to all the members of St. Mark’s for many years of support.