A number of New Street United Methodist Church’s members gathered together to wrap presents for the Christmas Child Project on Dec. 8. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — New Street United Methodist Church concluded its fourth annual Christmas Child Project earlier this month.

According to Shepherdstown resident Becky Lidgerding, the Christmas Child Project is organized by the church’s Fellowship Committee.

“Our volunteer Fellowship Committee members sort and wrap purchased Christmas gifts for a number of selected children at two different local elementary schools, Shepherdstown Elementary School and Driswood Elementary School, as recommended by the schools’ guidance counselors,” Lidgerding said.

Fellowship Committee Chair Judy Pitzer serves as the Christmas Child Project coordinator. According to her, the project is uniquely different from other Fellowship Committee activities throughout the year and is funded directly by donations from the church’s congregation.

“Our purpose is to enjoy fellowship together and to raise money to help with church expenses not covered by the general fund,” Pitzer said. “The Christmas Child Project is not covered by the proceeds from any of our fundraisers, such as our spaghetti dinners and pancake breakfasts. The congregation contributes to this project, making it possible for us to help several community families have a brighter Christmas.”

New Street United Methodist Church member Carol Goldthorpe stands by a bicycle that was given to a local child, through the church’s Christmas Child Project on Dec. 8. Courtesy photo

Unlike some similar charitable projects in the community, the Christmas Child Project ensures the identities of those receiving the gifts are completely protected, as not a single person at the church is given the gift recipients’ names — not even Pitzer.

“We do not know the children or their names,” Pitzer said. “That is taken care of by the counselors at both Shepherdstown Elementary School and Driswood Elementary School. They supply us with a wish list from each child’s parent or guardian. We fill it as best we can with toys and clothing.”

The Fellowship Committee is aware that if parents and guardians are struggling to purchase clothing for their children, then they are most likely also struggling to cover food costs. To ensure the gift recipients and their families can afford to have a wonderful Christmas dinner together, the committee gives a food card to each family.

“We began this project to help support families and children in our community beyond the congregation,” Pitzer said, noting the number of children the project provides gifts for varies year to year, based on the school guidance counselor recommendations. “The Christmas Child Project has been very successful, because our congregation is both caring and generous when it comes to helping others, especially at Christmas.”

Even though this is a community service project, the Fellowship Committee finds a way to do it, while fellowshipping together.

“We always have a gift wrapping day with Christmas music and snacks to eat. It’s a good time for all of us,” Pitzer said, mentioning the event is held in the church’s basement. “Then, we deliver the gifts to the two schools.”

Pitzer noted that Dec. 8 served as the gift wrapping day this year.

“This was our fourth year, and it has grown each year,” Pitzer said. “It’s a worthy effort, and I think all of us who get involved enjoy giving to others in the spirit of Christmas.”