November / December Monthly Serving Focus

Our serving focus for the November and December is to provide Christmas baskets for those in need in Iowa County. You’ll see envelopes decorating our tree in the lobby that say either family, elder man or elder woman. You’ll notice that the list in those envelopes does not contain Christmas gifts, but items that cannot be bought with an SNAP account. The list is filled with all kinds of essential items like personal care toiletries, detergent, garbage bags and kitchen items to name a few. One thing I’d like to note is that it says laundry basket on the list, as this was the easiest way to keep all the items together. Doing some shopping locally here in Dodgeville proves that this particular item is in short supply or incredibly expensive. Another option we’ve found is an 18 gallon tote with lid that costs around $7.00.

When you take an envelope from the tree look for a number in the upper corner of the envelope. You are going to write your name alongside the corresponding number on the sheet on the music stand next to the tree. When you have finished filling the basket with the products on the list, you just return the basket and the list to the church. Baskets need to be returned by December 14th.

You can give financially if you would rather have someone do the shopping for you. We are finding that the cost of a family basket is running above $75 and an elder basket around $65. You can put your cash or check into an offering envelope and specify that it is to be used for the monthly serving focus. You can give through our online giving portal on our website or you can mail a check to us at 605 N. Bennett Road, Dodgeville, WI 53533.

This is something that the great people who attend Hidden Valley have done for over 20 years. This envelop / list on the tree represents a family in need. A family that may not be able to afford Christmas. You do not have to be a member or attender of Hidden Valley to participate. This is really a blessing to the folks who count on this hand up every year