For more than 15 years, our FPC community has stepped up to buy gifts for children, women and men who are fleeing domestic violence. We started first assisting Renewal House, a shelter for women and children in Roxbury which is connected to the UU Urban Ministry, and on whose board our former minister Tom Rosiello served. When Diane Miller took over this project, we added a second shelter, Voices Against Violence, where Diane had volunteered for years. You can learn more about each of these shelters at these two links—Renewal House and Voices Against Violence.

Our Efforts in 2024

We have been supplied with the wants and wishes from the women and children as usual. The lists are available at this SignUpGenius link. All of the information about names, genders, sizes and wishes will be found along with instruction can be found at the SignUpGenius link.

Note the following:

• After you select your gifts, makes sure to go to the bottom of the SignUpGenius list and hit submit.
• When you receive a confirmation notice from SignUpGenius, please print it out and save it.  It contains the name and shelter of your gift recipients, which will need to be attached to each gift when you turn it in.
• If you purchase a gift card for a recipient, please place it in an envelope with the recipient’s name and shelter before you turn it in.

Unwrapped gifts must be returned to the FPC Atrium on Friday, December 6th from 3 – 6 PM or Saturday, December 7th from 10 AM – 1 PM. Gift receipts are appreciated. 

Thanks to all who have participated in past years to make this wonderful project a huge success. We hope that each of you will continue your generosity this year as able, as the need is big and the reward even bigger. Each year, we receive wonderful thank you notes from both shelters, expressing how grateful they and their guests are for our efforts. Let’s keep up the great work and spread the love this holiday season!

Any questions, please email gift-drive@fpc-stow-acton.org. And if you are interested in helping out next year, please let us know.