2022 KUC Giving Tree
For over 25 years the KUC Global and Community Action Ministry has organized an Advent Giving Tree Initiative to help the congregation give to the wider Kamloops community, nationally, and around the world. Again this year Jan Vint’s wonderful hand-crafted ornaments will be sent out to the congregation to hang on your own tree.
If you prefer, you can bring them into the church to hang on the Giving Tree in the sanctuary. We are launching the 2022 Advent Giving Tree on Nov. 27th. Please give generously.
This is the year of Joy, and we have chosen the theme of “Bringing Joy to Children”. We especially wanted to focus on bringing joy to children because of the impact the pandemic has had on kids everywhere in the world. Quality of life, opportunities for learning, mental and physical health – so many things have been affected. Donating to our chosen recipients contributes to improving the well-being of everyone’s future.
Additional Recipient Information:
Camp Grafton is nestled on beautiful Magna Bay on the North Arm of Shuswap Lake, just 1 ½ hours drive (100 km) from Kamloops. The camp features a beautiful, natural waterfront swimming area and hectares of treed and creekside property.
Camp Grafton offers a full range of summer camp programs for children and youth, which are accredited by both the BC Camping Association and the United Church of Canada.
The Camp Grafton Society is a non-profit society whose members are volunteers. One of their goals is to help make the Camp Grafton experience accessible for as many families as possible. It is through the generosity of others that they are able to provide Campership assistance for youngsters who would not otherwise be able to attend Camp.
National Recipient – Make-A-Wish Canada
Make-A-Wish Canada brings to fruition life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. They are on a quest to bring every eligible child’s wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child’s treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness. Make-A-Wish is the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization, serving children in every community in Canada, and in more than 50 countries worldwide. Since 1983, Make-A-Wish Canada has granted over 36,000 wishes across the country, over 1,000 last year alone. Give the gift of a wish.
International – A Kindergarten in a Refugee Camp
There are few bright spots for children in the Sabra/Shatila refugee camp in Beirut. At their kindergarten for refugee children aged 3 to 6, the Joint Christian Committee for Social Service in Lebanon (JCC) provides a happy and colorful haven where children can begin their education. This year, the building that has housed the kindergarten since 1950 was sold. While the JCC was able to find a new location for the kindergarten, skyrocketing inflation is making it difficult to buy supplies like books, paper, and art supplies. Our Gifts will provide school supplies to help refugee children take their first steps toward a better future.