Despite the rising temperatures this summer, Queen of Peace parishioners in Gainesville are spreading holiday cheer with their “Christmas in July” charity drive. Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26, members of the community are encouraged to bring specific items requested by Queen of Peace Ministry Partners. The drive benefits the following organizations:
- A Woman’s Answer Medical Clinic
- Bread of the Mighty Food Bank
- Catholic Charities
- Christians Concerned for the Community
- Community Pregnancy Clinic
- Family Promise
- Grace Marketplace
- Haven Hospice
- Peaceful Paths
- St. Francis House[SK1]
- Southwest Advocacy Group Family Resources Center
Click the link for each organization to view a list of the specific items they have requested. Participants are encouraged to sign up for the slots to indicate what they are contributing. Donations can be brought to all Saturday and Sunday Masses, as well as a curbside drop-off on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Queen of Peace has long been dedicated to helping the vulnerable and throughout the pandemic, this dedication has been unwavering,” said Erica Hartge, pastoral assistant stewardship director for Queen of Peace Parish. “In the early days of COVID, we reached out to our community Ministry Partners and asked how we could help, and our regular monthly food collection was expanded to include all our Ministry Partners.”
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love throughout the pandemic; parishioners have found ways to pray, to serve, and to share and it has been a magnificent witness to stewardship as a way of life. All have responded with faith, hope, love and courage.”
Click here to sign up to help coordinate donation drop-offs. For more information, email gnp@qopparish.org.
Below is a video message of thanks from the Queen of Peace community.