Giving the Gift of Giving to Families in Need
Why The Manger?
(As told by Susan Thornton, Founder of The Manger, Franklin, TN)
“It was in that chaotic time before the shopping starts, one night at The Manger. The volunteers were gathering, the shoppers were registering and hearing the Good News of the Gospel, when someone took me aside and told me that Sharon had arrived, that she didn’t have much stamina and wondered if maybe we should let her go ahead and start shopping. I looked toward the door and there was Sharon...wheel chair, oxygen tank, end stage cancer. She had come to The Manger to Christmas shop for her kids.
Why? Why would she, being so sick, use maybe the last strength she had to come to The Manger? Surely there was a Sunday school class that would adopt her kids and get them whatever they wanted. Surely there was an angel tree somewhere that would provide the gifts for her kids. Why would she put herself through the effort? Why? Because Sharon wanted these gifts to be about her love and not about her illness. SHE wanted to provide, SHE wanted to select. She wanted the presents her kids unwrapped on Christmas morning to have come from her because she loved them, and not to have come from strangers because she was sick.
That’s why we ask you to give your time, to write a check, to donate gift items. If we’re not there for The Manger, The Manger won’t be there for Sharon.”
The Manger ministry began in Franklin, Tennessee 20 years ago when Susan Thornton realized there had to be a better way than simply handing out gifts to help struggling families celebrate Christmas. Over 700 families were served by The Manger last year in Franklin, Tennessee. God laid it on my heart to begin a Manger ministry here in Northwest Columbus and in 2008, our first year in service, and through His grace we helped close to 100 families! Our mission is to serve lost and hurting families by offering a hand up, rather than a hand out. No one should have to make a choice between buying a Christmas present for their child and paying a utility bill. Christmas shouldn’t hurt people. This year, the need is much greater than ever before. It is my prayer that you will find room in your hearts to come to The Manger with me this Christmas season!
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
In Him,
Robin
THE MANGER
(614) 593-9518
rschuman1@aol.com
