Southern Spirit October 30, 2015 | Page 7

5 30, 2015 By Heather Myers In 2012, The Salvation Army Southern Territory started the Gifts Project initiative in conjunction with the Overseas Child Sponsorship program to help fund specific projects requested by The Salvation Army children’s homes and centers throughout the world. These projects allow the homes and centers to highlight the most crucial needs in order to provide the best level of care to the children in their community. Last year, we were able to raise over $7,000 for the projects and, with your help, we hope to exceed that this year with the seven projects that have been selected. One-time gifts in the amount of $25 can be donated to one of these seven specific projects that can be given as gifts for corps members, co-workers, friends and family that not only allow you to give a gift with a cause, but to also spread love to these children around the world. Last year, projects such as a feeding program in Zimbabwe and new sewing machines in Brazil were funded due to the incredible generosity of others. This year, we will run the program from November 2015 Shoes for the Blind Integrated Children’s Center (School for the Blind), Bangladesh The Integrated Children’s Center at Savar provides food, accommodations, clothing, medical and educational needs for girls and visually impaired boys. The children in the center are in great need of many items, but their greatest need is new shoes. Your gift will help provide shoes for the children in the center. until May 2016 to allow for gifts to be given for a variety of reasons, including Valentine’s Day and to be used as projects for youth councils. Purchasing a gift on behalf of others is a great way to honor those in your life that you care about in a way that not only betters the lives of children around the world but also embodies the true meaning of the word gift with a selfless act of love. To learn more, go to www.ocssouth.org or visit us on Facebook at: facebook. com/youthdownsouth.