Brandon Boys & Girls Club. The Brandon B&G is located on our property, providing after-school and summer care for children with working parents who cannot be home after school. Volunteer opportunities include mentoring and homework tutoring, help with tangible resources.For more information, please contact: Hope Schneider at 643-1956, katherine.schneider@verizon.net or http://www.bgctampafl.org

LifeCare of Brandon (formerly Brandon Care Pregnancy Center) LifeCare of Brandon is located on our property, ministering to girls and women in the midst of an unexpected pregnancy. The staff and trained volunteers provide free pregnancy testing, counseling, referrals for government services, support groups and training for teens to help reduce the number of unexpected pregnancies. In addition, trained lay speakers go to area schools to give presentations on abstinence. For more information, call 654-0491 or http://www.LifeCareofBrandon.com

Cynthia Pinckney Ministries. Cynthia has a strong local mission geared to helping feed and care for homeless men, women and children in our community. She holds regular outreach events and partners with us at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Donations of clothing, workboots and toiletries are always appreciated. For more information, contact Cynthia Pinckney 813-571-1556 cp@cynthiapinckneyministries.org or http://www.cynthiapinckneyministries.org

Emergency Care Help Organization & Brandon Outreach Clinic. E.C.H.O. provides food and clothing assistance to approximately 7,000 individuals and families in crisis situations each year. E.C.H.O. is always in need of spaghetti sauce, dried beans, peanut butter, flour, etc. And diapers (sizes 4 and 5). The Outreach Clinic provides free medical care to children & adults who cannot afford medical insurance. All the doctors and nurses volunteer their time. For more information, please contact: Pastor Matt Wallis at 689-4161 or pastormatt@fumcbrandon.org

L.I.S.T. Volunteers provide no-cost or low-cost minor home and auto repairs to those who are on a limited income. The Limited Income Service Team (L.I.S.T.) also provides referrals to outside organizations that can assist with more involved or special needs that are beyond the capabilities of the volunteers. Call the Church Office at 689-4161 for more information.

Meals on Wheels.Provides up to 100 meals each Friday to the homebound in our area. Volunteers prepare and deliver meals. Call Elaine Christopher at 689-3275 regarding cooking meals. Call Barbara Brooks at 689-7016 regarding meal delivery.  CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT UPCOMING MENU ITEMS ARE NEEDED.

S.H.A.R.E.
SHARE participants, who come from all walks of life, are committed to perform voluntary acts of kindness. They may, for instance, tutor their neighbor’s child, serve meals to the homeless or homebound, mow the single mother’s lawn, package SHARE food, or teach English to new immigrants. Then one day each month, this common bond of service is celebrated at our monthly SHARE food distribution. Saving money on groceries and stretching the family budget is the tangible benefit that SHARE offers. Serving others brings to us the intangible reward of a life well lived. Won’t you join us at SHARE this month?  For more information call Jim or Sue at (813) 672-4814 or E-mail fumcshare@verizon.net

Dominican Republic First United Methodist Church of Brandon has been involved in mission in the Dominican Republic for approximately 15 years.  Our church is a long-time sponsor of Connie DiLeo, a United Methodist missionary in the Dominican Republic.  With Connie’s help, we are working through C.O.P.A. (Community Partners Association) to help with 2 villages located on the southwestern corner of the D.R.  These two villages (Bombita and LaHoya) are representative of some of the poorest villages in the Dominican Republic.  10 of us traveled to Bombita for 7 days in July 2008.  While we were there, we held V.B.S. and a soccer camp, and also painted buildings, sanded doors, built concrete walls, etc.  Of course, we found plenty of time to play and worship, too. 

Our 2009 summer mission trip will be July 5-13 and the approximate cost is $850 per person.  The age requirement is as follows:  13-17 years of age must have a parent or grandparent accompany them; all others, 18 and up, may go as well.  A deposit of $100 will hold your spot on the team.  All deposits are due by March 1st, 2009.  The first 20 people to get their deposits in will make up the mission team.  There are 4 meetings required before we travel in July.  This is by no means a vacation and we work really hard while we are there.  We will be leading a Youth Camp for the Dominicans in the two villages.  This should be an amazing experience as we lead approximately 75 Dominican teenagers in play, praise, and worship.  Take a step out of your comfort zone and join us on this great opportunity to witness for our Lord.

Through C.O.P.A., we also have the opportunity to sponsor one of the children in the two villages.  For $15 a month, you can help this child with their school uniform expense, their books, and provide a small hot meal for them each day.  There are brochures in the narthex that you can complete and mail to C.O.P.A. to participate in this outreach.  You will receive a picture of your child and he/she will write to you twice a year and update you on what is happening in their lives.  They’ll look forward to you writing to them as well.

If you would like more information about C.O.P.A., go to www.copa.org.uk or email Frankie Cross, our Dominican Republic Missions Outreach Coordinator, at SFL53302@allstate.com.