MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

Local News

Discussion

July 13, 2010

Garage sale transforms into giveaway mission

By KaeAn Russell Phoenix Staff Writer

— It started with a summer intern’s desire to get rid of some of his stuff to raise money for ministry and evolved into a community mission project.  

Doug Gunselman, an intern at the Chandler Road Church of Christ youth ministry program, suggested that the church have a communitywide garage sale to help raise money for the youth mission projects.

But instead of using the money made from a garage sale for mission work elsewhere, the church decided to turn the garage sale into a mission.  

The church will host a parking lot giveaway to provide furniture, appliances and other household items for people in the community who need them.

“We were aiming to express Christ’s love in practical ways,” said Jake Box, youth minister.

Organizers are asking the church members and the community to bring coffee pots, washers, dryers, books, clothing or anything else that they would like to get rid of.

“During these tough times we wanted to reach out to the community and help people as much as we can,” said Donnie Branscum, church minister.

Branscum had success with a similar giveaway event at the Church of Christ in Skiatook where he worked before he began ministering at the Chandler Road Church of Christ.  

Organizers want everything that finds its way to the church to make it to a new home.

That’s why the church will provide delivery for the large appliances and furniture with two pickups  Saturday, Branscum said.

The items the church does not get rid of Saturday will be donated to charity because the church does not have room to store any of the leftover items.

“We don’t have the storage to give it away as people needed it,” said Nancy Brice, the church secretary. “That’s why we decided to have one big giveaway.”

To add to the giveaway, the church’s youth are offering free car washes Saturday morning.

If you go



WHAT: Chandler Road Church of Christ Giveaway and car wash.

WHEN: 8 a.m. Saturday.

WHERE: 3507 Chandler Road, church parking lot.

INFORMATION: 682-3348.

Reach KaeAn Russell at 684-2920 or krussell@muskogeephoenix.com.

Text Only
Local News