Ben Wilson, First Place winner of the Tools and Blankets project coloring contest, puts the finishing touches on his picture.

Joanna Circle, a women’s group at Pioneer Presbyterian Church in Belpre Ohio, recently coordinated a Blanket Sunday in their church. To kick off the project, the Circle sponsored a coloring contest among the children of the church. This was presented during the Children’s Sermon on the Sunday before the collection date. The Tools and Blankets project was introduced with a group pantomime, which involved the participation of the children as well as some “volunteer” adults. The children worked on their coloring sheets during class time and the winners were announced on Collection Sunday the following week. Winners were presented with handmade quilts and all other participants received throws.

Pioneer Presbyterian Church is a small congregation of about 70 active members. Ten children participated in the coloring contest and information about the project was placed in church bulletins the week before and the week of the Blanket Sunday. Posters were put up around the church and the children’s coloring sheets were displayed in the Fellowship Hall. Lay readers on both Sundays presented information on the Tools and Blankets program during their Minute for Missions.

Joanna Circle feels that the project was a great success not just because of the money collected, but more importantly, because of the awareness raised during the campaign period.

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• Visit the CWS Tools & Blankets Resources page for graphics, skits and other materials to liven up your Tools & Blankets event.

• Order materials online or phone our national service center, 1-800-297-1516

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