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Christmas Gifts for At-Risk Children by The Rev. Hartshorn Murphy Each year, we ask your support by committing to purchase a gift for the children of Neighborhood Youth Association (NYA). For a century now, NYA has been an outreach of the Episcopal Church to children from low-income families here on the Westside. The late Susan Amlotte especially encouraged us, as a congregation, to remember these kids during the holidays and so, in her honor and memory, we have the "Susan Tree," which will be in the entranceway of the church beginning Sunday, Nov. 16th. Stop by, visit with one of our gift coordinators. They will be happy to assist you to select the perfect gift to make some needy child's Christmas special. Gifts all cost $40 or less. Gifts must be returned, wrapped with the provided "name tag ornament" from the Susan Tree, no later than Fri., Dec. 12th so that they can be distributed at the annual NYA holiday party that following week. Each year, St. A's commits to give $5,000 to NYA's operating budget. That pledge comes from your free will birthday and anniversary gifts on the first Sunday of the month. The suggested donation is one dollar per year (e.g. Tenth wedding anniversary = $10 dollars). But any contribution is a blessing and no one is turned away from receiving a blessing that does not make a donation. Through the annual pledge, birthday and anniversary donations and the Susan Tree presents at Christmas, NYA is surely a part of our larger ministry of service and care. Copyright © 2008 St. Augustine by-the-Sea
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