Spreading The Hope: Mission of Hope Brings Christmas to Needy Kids in Appalachia
This season marks the 19th year of the Mission of Hope’s Christmas Campaign that serves students and their families in the poorest counties in Appalachia, more than half of which are in Kentucky.
MOH, a Knoxville-based Christian charity, serves 18,000 students at 27 schools where nearly all of the students receive free or reduced lunch.
At Christmas, MOH volunteers from more than 40 Churches, including NorthEast Christian Church in Lexington, Versailles Baptist Church and Central Baptist in Paris, set up a “toy store” in each of the school gyms.
As students and faculty gather round the “store,” which is hidden by a plastic covering, volunteers conduct a brief evangelical program before they pull back the plastic – and the faces of grateful children light up like Christmas trees.
“It’s magical,” MOH’s executive director Emmette Thompson said. “I can’t tell you all that I’ve seen since I’ve been with this ministry. It’s humbled me in a way nothing else could.”
People in Central Kentucky can help spread the Hope by dropping off new toys, clothing, food and hygiene products from now through Monday, Dec. 8 in the MOH Big Blue Barrels.
(See Story on this page for locations.)
Folks also can make tax-deductible donations.
“The time has long since passed where the Big Blue Barrel collections fill all of our needs for children,” Thompson said.
“We spend thousands of dollars to account for the remaining items. That’s why your financial donations are more critical than ever before.”
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Items Most Needed Are:
Food Suggestions
Tuna 6-7 oz.
Soup 10.5 oz.
Fruit 16 oz.
Canned Vegetables 15 oz.
Entree Items
Stew, Chili, etc. 25 oz.
Macaroni & Cheese 6-7 oz.
Oatmeal 18 oz.
Peanut Butter 18 oz.
Dried Beans 2 lb.
Rice 2 lb.
Non-perishable food items only
New and unopened items only
No glass containers
No microwavable items
Clothing Suggestions
(Children: Kindergarten-8th Grade)
Warm, Winter Coats
Jeans, Shirts & Blouses
Socks & Underwear
Hats & Gloves
Toy Suggestions
(Suggested $15 value and above)
Action Figure Sets
Doll Playsets
Electronic Games
Remote Control Vehicles
Sporting Goods
Watches & Jewelry
(Gifts for Children 10-14 years old)
Hygiene Suggestions
(Full Size Products Please)
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Soap Bars
2-in-1 Shampoo with Conditioner
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How You Can Help
To provide for the children of Appalachia, Mission of Hope counts on donations from people like you.
Big Blue Barrels for the Christmas Campaign can be found in the following Central Kentucky locations.
Chick-fil-A
Curves locations
Kids Place
Lexington Dance Factory
Lexington Family Magazine
Legacy All Sports
Monkey Joe’s
Premier Athletics
Valvoline
Big Blue Barrels are on display now through Monday, Dec. 8.
If you would like to make a financial donation, please send checks to:
Mission of Hope
P.O. Box 51824
Knoxville, TN 37950
Mission of Hope is a fully licensed 501c3 non-profit charity, so your donation is tax deductible.
Info: (877) 627-1909 or
www.missionofhope.org