First Federated Church plans mission trip to help refugees

staff report

NORTH JACKSON

First Federated Church, 10786 Mahoning Ave., is planning a mission trip across the state with a global reach. The church youth group’s Hand in Hand Cultural Exchange will assist refugee families who have settled in the Toledo area.

Working in conjunction with the Sylvania United Church of Christ and the resettlement organization, US Together, the church will provide the families with first-aid kit supplies, home cleaning products and school items. Items will be collected throughout May. Church youths and adults will deliver the items in June and spend several days with the children of these families.

Pastor Jack Acri said the idea for the mission grew from media reports of hardship and desperation for millions of Middle Eastern refugees. “I wanted our youth to see there is an alternative to all of the hate speech. These families are refugees of war. They had to leave everything behind. Now they are starting again at the bottom of the economic ladder, and they are dealing with the challenges of language barriers and culture shock.”

The church also is partnering with the Jackson-Milton schools to provide collection points at year-end school events, with a light-hearted competition between the church and school to see who can collect the most donations.

Monetary donations for supplies may be made on the church web site www.firstfederatedchurch.net or Or contributions may be sent to P.O. Box 188, North Jackson, OH 44451. Supply drop-off points are available at the church and at Jackson-Milton High School.

First Federated Church is an inclusive, interdenominational church (United Church of Christ, Christian Church, and Presbyterian).

For more information, call 330-538-3936.