advent giving tree
Each year in December, the congregation highlights community organizations and collects items for them through an Advent Giving Tree that is set up in the sanctuary. In 2019, Transfiguration supported Caminar and the Teen Mobile Health Teen Van.
Caminar
Caminar, a San Mateo-based nonprofit, was delighted to be a recipient of Transfiguration’s generous and compassionate Advent Giving program. Caminar offers services and care for people with serious behavioral health conditions, people who are the most vulnerable, at greatest risk of slipping through the cracks, and in the most need of finding wellness. Approximately 75% of Caminar clients are homeless, many have been in and out of hospitals or jail, and often they have nowhere else to turn; their illness and needs are so complex, they’ve often alienated family and friends. Simple items such as clean, dry socks and rain ponchos help someone who has so little start the day on the right foot AND let them know someone cares about them and they are valued.
Over the course of Advent, the Transfiguration community donated 123 pairs of new socks and 19 rain ponchos to Caminar for clients. And, the giving began immediately; within an hour of collecting these lovely gifts from under the tree at church, the items were brought to the Caminar medication clinic in San Mateo to be distributed to homeless clients ahead of first rain of the new year. Clinic staff was thrilled to be able to offer these gifts to our most needy clients and will continue to share these gifts throughout the season.
Over the course of Advent, the Transfiguration community donated 123 pairs of new socks and 19 rain ponchos to Caminar for clients. And, the giving began immediately; within an hour of collecting these lovely gifts from under the tree at church, the items were brought to the Caminar medication clinic in San Mateo to be distributed to homeless clients ahead of first rain of the new year. Clinic staff was thrilled to be able to offer these gifts to our most needy clients and will continue to share these gifts throughout the season.
Teen Van
Nancy Burnett, a long time Transfiguration member passed away this fall and requested that memorial gifts be given in the name of the Teen Van program. The advent giving tree gave us the perfect opportunity to remember Nancy with contributions to this outreach program. Transfiguration congregation has supported the Teen Van annually for several years, led by Nancy and St. Margaret’s Guild.
The Teen Health Van is a mobile clinic and medical team that travels regularly to seven sites throughout the Bay Area, providing services to uninsured, underinsured, homeless and at-risk/high-risk preteens and young adult ages 10-25. Transfiguration’s generosity was appreciated by Nancy’s friends at the Teen Van Auxiliary in Burlingame. More than a hundred small bottles of hair care and oral cleaning products collected. $500.00 in Target gift cards and movie passes were donated also.
The Teen Health Van is a mobile clinic and medical team that travels regularly to seven sites throughout the Bay Area, providing services to uninsured, underinsured, homeless and at-risk/high-risk preteens and young adult ages 10-25. Transfiguration’s generosity was appreciated by Nancy’s friends at the Teen Van Auxiliary in Burlingame. More than a hundred small bottles of hair care and oral cleaning products collected. $500.00 in Target gift cards and movie passes were donated also.