Graffiti 2 has always embraced the Christmas spirit while keeping Christ at the center. This year we explored new ways to bless our community outside of our normal contacts. We reached out to churches across the country requesting shoe box gifts and received over 425 shoeboxes. We provided a shoebox gift to every child enrolled in the Betances Community Center after school program. They have 127 children ranging from 5 years old to 18 years old.
We had an abundance of preschool shoeboxes, so we were able to deliver 72 boxes to a Head Start program nearby.
Every year, Graffiti 2 holds a Christmas Celebration that is just for children and teens enrolled in our programs or families from church. This year we had 100 kids and teenagers that received a gift, from 2 years old to 18 years old. Participants in this event were treated to a puppet showed, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and attentively listened to the Gospel as it was presented.
Even after all these kids and teenagers received boxes, we still had over 100 extra! We embraced this challenge and with the help of a Graffiti 2 Board Member, we distributed over 100 boxes to kids and teens in various shelters in the area.
We are exciting about growing this ministry in the years to come.