Thanks to the generosity of this congregation, 200 Christmas wreaths made by family crafters in Franklin County, Maine were sold during the month of October.  As was indicated in the October issue of The Messenger, the families who assemble the wreaths earn $9.50 per wreath and the United Methodist Economic Ministry in Salem, Maine keeps 50 cents per wreath for administrative costs.  The remaining $5.00 of the cost of each wreath has been spent on items for the UMEM’s Christmas Gift Program.  Due to extra contributions and donations, $1100 was allocated for gift items.

On November 10, Peg Abbondandolo, Lorraine Bittel, and Betsy Gibbs headed off to spend the $1100 at Wal*Mart.  After over two hours of shopping, the trio managed to spend $1099.89 on warm jackets, toys, bedding, towels, slippers, gift cards and a variety of other items.  The gifts that they purchased had been suggested by the UMEM staff.  Peg and Mel Abbondandolo delivered the merchandise to UMEM on November 13 and returned the following day with the 200 wreaths.

The Mission Team is very appreciative of Peg and Mel for making the fourteen-hour round trip to Maine and back.  And we especially thank all of you who purchased one or more wreaths.  We very much look forward to repeating this project again next year.