A couple of weeks back I was looking at COC’s inventory. We still shop. We still coupon. We’re still going strong despite the lack of posts here. Though, it is true – we haven’t done a project since Watoto. So, pondering who we should give to and how we should give, I remembered an agency that is doing tremendous work in the Tampa Bay area – Oasis Pregnancy Center.

Oasis is a non-profit agency that provides pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, counseling services and all sorts of baby supplies and all at NO cost to expectant mothers and fathers. Why do they do this? In hope that these mothers, who find themselves in unplanned and even crisis pregnancy situations, will also find themselves hope and support.It’s their heart that these women will then choose to carry their child to full-term and give life. They don’t preach at these moms and dads that come through their offices. Instead, they love them and commit to being a constant support – not only through their pregnancy, but through the first year of their child’s life.

With over 40 cans of baby formula (retail value just over $800.00) and boxes of trial size baby shampoo, lotion, wash and destin cream, I went to meet with the ladies at Oasis to see first hand all the great things happening there. This video explains how they’ll utilize what we were able to give:

It’s so exciting to know that what we were able to supply to Oasis will go directly to moms that need it. They won’t have to jump through hoops or meet any requirements, but as their physical and practical need is being met they’re also provided with hope and support. That’s what COC is all about – bringing practical help & powerful hope to those in need of both. We are thrilled that Oasis Pregnancy Center is able to use the over 40 cans of formula that we donated and even more thrilled that many hungry babies will be hungry no more. We pray that as mom is feeding her little one she’ll be encouraged – knowing she’s not alone in this process, that God has seen her need and that He loves her greatly!

Per the lat post, you know that we were

in the midst of a project for a ministry in Uganda. Friday, February 17th, we dropped the supplies off to one of their US offices in FL. We were able to provide 30 of each: toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant and first aid kits. We also donated roughly $1,000 in baby formula. Each can retails for about $20-$25.

We chose to donate to Watoto because of the amazing work they’re doing in Kampala, Uganda. They are essentially building families. They care for children who have been orphaned due to war and disease, and also women who are suffering from illness and in vulnerable life situations. They are pairing these together and giving families to those who would have otherwise never had that bond. What an amazing ministry this is, and we are beyond thrilled to be able to help in its efforts in some small way.

In every project that we chose to do we realize the impact of small love, and realize that really there is no such thing. Love is big in itself and it alone can change lives. So, when it is paired with, and expressed through, the meeting of practical needs – it automatically gives powerful hope. Thank you for allowing us to do what we do. Through your donations we are able to be His love and express that in so many different ways. Look back soon for our next project….it’s a good one!

Before COC was even a thought, before it was an email sent out to family and friends and before I had even wrapped my head around the idea of it – God had already put a burden on my heart for the continent of Africa. Through a series of events and through His heart spoken to mine there was an unmistakable draw. Wanting to go put my hands and heart to work there is still a desire, but I’ve since realized that my help and His hope can still be extended through COC.

Watoto Documentary from Watoto on Vimeo.

Currently in Kampala, Uganda, there is an amazing, thriving ministry to orphans and hurting women that we are privileged to partner with. Watoto is a holistic care programme that was initiated as a response to the overwhelming number of orphaned children and vulnerable women in Uganda, whose lives have been ravaged by war and disease. They provide not only food and shelter for these women and children. They also provide education, a family structure and home life. They are not just “kept” they are nurtured. They are not just fed, they are loved… UNICEF & UNAIDS approximate that 47.5 MILLION orphans live in sub-subharan Africa, a quarter of whom have lost their parents to aids. 2.5 MILLION of those children live in Uganda. In a country ravaged by war, ridden with Aids and left hopeless – Watoto is a practical example of Gods loved lived out to that desperate land.

I had been in contact with this amazing ministry last year, and was reminded about their need. So, I contacted them about how COC might be able to help and they presented me with their current list of needs. Currently, their children’s choir is touring. They do this to raise awareness of the need in Uganda as well as raise funding to continue to aid those that are hurting there in the great way they do. The immediate way they said COC could be of help was to provide toiletries for those children and adult leaders currently touring as this is a direct expense of their organization whose funds could be more directly utilized. So, we’ll be providing toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine hygiene products and first aid kits for those individuals. We’ll also be providing over $1,000.00 worth of baby formula for their BABY Watoto program. These are the children 0-2 years in age that have been orphaned or many simply abandoned. Some left on garbage heaps, others in the bush simply to die. They are unwanted and unloved – most in need of serious medical attention. So, the opportunity to help in any way makes my heart happy in an overflowing kind of way.

As you can see – we’ve still been active. Though we haven’t posted in a while letting you know our current projects, this is what we’ve been up to. We’re still constantly shopping and filling our shelves with products so that when the needs do arise, and when opportunity to help present themselves – we’ll have supplies to provide. So, what’s next on the list for COC? We’re starting to have conversation with a few ministries in Haiti about how we can get supplies to them. We’ll also be starting conversation with a few different ministries in the US and will be letting you know as soon as those plans are finalized. Thank you to each of you who continue to support the heart and mission of COC. Thank you for every coupon you’ve mailed or dropped off, for every dollar you’ve donated and for every prayer you’ve prayed. Without all of these things, we simply could not provide the practical help & powerful hope that we have purposed to bring to those in need.

Having already completed our Toys for Tots Christmas project, one of the other Christmas projects that COC dedicated itself to this first year was the hope of donating $200.00 in groceries to Metropolitan Ministries. Through savvy shopping, your coupon donations, and some of your financial contributions, we were able to exceed that goal and still only spend a little under $50.00.

On Friday, December 23rd, I made my way down Florida avenue to Metropolitan Ministries. Pulling up, I could see their work, their ministry on display. There were people everywhere! Lots of folks volunteering and lots of folks coming for assistance. People were walking across their “campus” with bags of groceries and toys they just picked out for their children. Others were walking in, on their way to receive theirs. You could see the difference in their faces. Those leaving were smiling, their eyes were literally full of hope. Someone had seen them. Someone had seen more than a name on a paper, or a need, but had seen them and that served as a reminder that “they’re not forgotten, God sees them and He loves them.”

I drove through the drop-off lane and as I was waiting saw a banner that read, “The place God called you to is where your deep gladness and the worlds deep hunger meet.” Metropolitan ministries is literally feeding the deep hunger of Tampa on so many different levels. To think that COC played some part in that process is just a complete thrill. We dropped off a little over $250.00 retail value in groceries. Metropolitan Ministries measures their donations by pounds. So, at the time of drop off they measured our donation as 87lbs! It wasn’t as big as other organizations, but some families will have had dinner on their table for Christmas and beyond because of our efforts. What a blessing it was to be a part of that!

We’re almost at the new year. To think that We’ve been at this for just about 7 months is beyond me. Something that started out as a simple email to a few family friends has grown into this. Still, I trust that God has yet to bring the best about for COC. He is growing our vision as the need around us and around the world is growing. There’s so much help that is needed and so much hope to be given. Continue to join with us in bringing both to those in need.

God Bless!
Merry Christmas to you and yours and a blessed New Year to come!

When we (I) first started COC I was thrilled every time I went to our PO box and saw even one envelope full of coupons waiting for me. Now, I go to our PO box and it’s full with envelopes and even boxes that some of you have sent in full of coupons. I can’t tell you how thankful I am for people like you that believe in our cause enough to invest the time and money to send in coupons.

When we first started out we were clipping every coupon that came in. Well, that didn’t last long. Before we knew it we were getting in far more coupons than our big binder could hold. So, we had to re-vamp our coupon clipping strategy and have come up with a pretty good system for us. Here’s how we need your help…So many of you are generously taking the time to sit and clip the coupons you think COC could use. You’re putting them in an envelope and sending them our way. We really couldn’t be more grateful! You’re investing in what we do, and that just blows our minds. However, our new system works best when coupons come in the full insert. Example:

We’ve got a filling cabinet full of full inserts. We now organize them by company (Red Plum, P&G, Smart Source, etc) and date. We know which inserts contain which coupons and can clip as we scout out the best deals. Many of you are already sending the full inserts. We so appreciate it and ask that you continue doing that. For those of you that have been clipping for us – THANK YOU! We’ll still take your clipped coupons but would prefer you to send them as a full insert if possible.

We’ve also noticed that some in Tampa are mailing in tons of full inserts and spending a few dollars with each package you send in. We’d like to encourage you to drop the inserts at one of our drop-box locations, and think about using that money you would spend on postage to donate back to COC for us to utilize to purchase goods for those in need…This week, while sorting through your envelopes of coupons, I opened two that came with a little extra help and a note encouraging the dream of COC…

I’m still amazed each time someone takes the time to send in coupons or believes in our cause and sees our heart enough to invest in what we do financially. As always, if you’d like to do so – you can donate any dollar amount through Pay Pal by clicking the “Donate” tab at the top of the page.

Again, we can’t say “Thank You” enough to every one who has mailed or dropped off coupons. You are providing a way for us to help so many in need, and providing hope to them just the same. The fact that you see our heart, and want to be a part of this all still finds us in awe. So, “thank you” again. Praying that this Christmas season finds your heart full of the hope that you are helping to provide to so many. God Bless!

As you already know, we’re working on three holiday projects all at once. This past Thanksgiving weekend we got to “work” on one of our projects – Toys for Tots. When I say “work” I mean we got to go shopping…on Black Friday!!

I had a budget of $100.00 set aside for Toys For Tots, and a plan to grab Starbucks once I made it inside Super Target. Well, that plan was thrown out the window when we pulled up to Target as the doors were opening and the line was nearly wrapped around the entire shopping plaza. My boyfriend, Jr. Vice Commandant Marine Corp League State of Louisiana and Commandant of the Marine Corps League in St. Mary Parish, La, cleverly reminded me that Cyber Monday was just around the corner. He’s a smart one! So, after circling the parking lot for any place to park, we agreed that online shopping might be the way to go. Although, Toys R Us did open at 9pm. So, I figured the lines wouldn’t be as bad. I was right. The lines weren’t bad, but that place was packed. Still, we managed to find some really great deals. We scored some great boys and girls toys – all for under $5 each. Most valued between $18-$20.

We were in Humble TX having Thanksgiving with my family, but drove back on Saturday to spend a few days in La. On Monday he took me to meet Bill Goessel, Toys for Tots Chairman in St. Mary Parish, and drop of the few gifts we did score. To say that I was impressed is an understatement. Here’s a few statistics for you. In 2010 the St. Mary Parish Marine Corps league provided 1,864 children with Christmas presents. They distributed 5,286 toys last year alone. While that in itself is impressive here’s what won me over. These guys, whose hearts are huge, not only provided gifts for children in their own parish, but have “adopted” lower St. Martin Parish and Assumption Parish as well. They weren’t asked to do it. They saw a need, and met it! This is what COC is all about.

To further solidify why partnering with St, Mary Parish Marine Corps league was the right choice, in each of our packages that we send out to those in need we enclose a small card that says “Let this serve as a small reminder to you that you are not forgotten, that God sees you and He loves you.” In a letter of thanks written to 2010 contributors, Bill Goessl writes, “Remember that your contribution means to a needy child that someone cares, and that he/she has not been forgotten..”. They get the mission of Practical Help & Powerful Hope and understand that hope for these children comes in way of a Christmas present that otherwise wouldn’t be there to unwrap Christmas morning.

On Monday I dropped off 8 gifts that COC purchased. There are 6 more in Tampa that will be on their way this week, and still $50 left to spend. If you’d like to help for this specific project here’s how you can do that – either donate financially to COC to help us purchase more toys or donate directly to the St. Mary Detachment Marine Corps League. You can donate to COC via PayPal by clicking on the “Donate” tab at the top of the page. If you’d rather donate directly to the St. Mary Detachment please make checks or money orders payable to:

MARINE CORP LEAGUE

P.O. Box 1383

Morgan City, LA. 70381

Their toy distribution date is December 17th. So, please, get all donations in prior to that date. Help COC help the Marine Corps League, St. Mary Detachment, bring Practical Help & Powerful Hope to nearly 2,000 kids this Christmas. It’s what this season is all about.

We’ve wrapped up our Joplin, MO project – donating over $2,000.00 worth of relief supplies (baby formula, hygiene products, clothing, household goods, etc.) and spending less than $70.00 for all of it! We’re making connections and in the process of getting all of these supplies to those in Joplin that need it.

As we’ve finished that project we want to start on our next immediately. With the holidays coming up it seems everyone is in the giving mood. We are no exception. So, we won’t be doing one project, we don’t even be doing two, but we’ll have three project going at the same time for Christmas, and we couldn’t be more excited!!

Project #1 – Tampa General Hospital 

The day before Thanksgiving, in 2008 my brother was in a horrible car accident. He was rushed to TGH though he wasn’t expected to survive. Every bone in his face was broken. His neck, arm, hip, etc was broken. His insides were bleeding and his lungs had collapsed, but God was present. We came to TGH not knowing what to expect and when we learned of his condition, we couldn’t leave his side. For 3 months we were constantly present at TGH, rarely, if ever, leaving. That first day we were given care packages. They contained small hygiene kits as they knew we’d be staying through the night. It was a simple gesture that took away the worry of one small thing for sure. It meant we didn’t have to leave for one second and it meant that someone cared about us.

COC will be using our skills and our efforts to fill those types of packages that will be given to families in similar, heartbreaking situations like the one my family was in just 3 years ago. It won’t change their circumstance. It won’t take away their hurt, fears or concern. It will simply remind them that they are not forgotten, that God sees them and He loves them.

Project # 2 – Metropolitan Ministries

If you are in the Bay area you’ve probably heard about Metropolitan Ministries. They are one of the largest and most efficient outreaches in our area. They serve 1,700 meals daily to those in need, and during the holidays, thousands of families are provided with gifts for their children and food to cook for their families. Still, beyond monetary giving – they are provided with the opportunity for prayer, connection to a local church and love lived out through their staff and volunteers.

This year we will be helping to provide the food that these families come to Metro and “shop” freely for. The goal is to donate $200.00 worth of food items that can be used to prepare a holiday meal. We’ll be purchasing things like mashed potatoes, stuffing, bread mix, canned goods, baking supplies, etc. We’re excited about helping this ministry continue doing the work they do so well.

Project # 3 – Toys for Tots

This project is still in the creative stage. Here’s what we mean – we’re brainstorming ideas of what we can do to help. The other two projects will be local to Tampa Bay. This Toys for Tots project will be to help children and families in South Louisiana. In the St. Mary Parish alone, last year, TOT served just about 2,000 children! There is a huge need there and everywhere. So, we’re partnering with them, on some level, to help provide practical help & powerful hope to those there. We’re still brainstorming to see how COC can be a part of their efforts. So, if you’ve got ideas – let us know.

We know that the need, especially around the holidays, is so far-reaching and that there are so many charities and organizations that need our help. These 3 are simply the ones we feel led to be a part of blessing. We ask that you help in any way you can. If you can send in or drop off coupons, of all kinds – please do. If you’d rather not clip or mail or drive at all or if you simply want to do more than that - then donate financially to these efforts. At the top right of this page you’ll see a “donate” tab. You’ll see, by clicking on that tab, that you can donate ANY dollar amount. None is too small. Through COC, your financial contributions reach much farther than they normally would. So join us, in whatever way you can, to bring practical help & powerful hope to those in need this Christmas season. You are blessed to be a blessing! Help us help the so many in need.