Gift a Gallon
Gift a Gallon is a way to send love and uplift Raise the Roof Academy students and other community children in Uganda during the RTRA Rhino Kid’s Summer Camp. You and your family can make a big difference in the life of a child with a small, gallon-sized gift.
Candace giving her Gift a Gallon to her sponsor child, Oliver, last year.
Candace Clippard, an RTRA volunteer, reflected on her experience with Gift a Gallon, writing:
“Gift a Gallon is one way we as sponsors can support our children. Last year I couldn’t wait to prep the bag that I was going to get to hand-deliver to my sponsor child, Oliver! I remember the day I went shopping for my supplies and laid them all out across the floor. By the time I was done packing, my bag would barely close! The children are so grateful for each of the items, especially the hygiene and the practical items that are often hard to come by. But it’s also so fun to sneak in some little toys, jump ropes, and books.
Seeing the faces of the children when they received their hand packed bags was such an enormous privilege. We would hand them their own special bag with their name on it, and they would walk across the school grounds to get their photo taken with it. The children carried those bags with so much joy and pride, two hands gripped tightly to each side, a prized possession just for them.
I remember one child in particular discovered on her way to get her photo taken, that her bag contained miniature maracas. I don’t think her smile could have gotten any bigger as she shook her bag joyfully with each new step. One thing I learned in Uganda was the blessing of a smile. Just when you thought a child couldn’t smile any bigger, well they sure could! It’s reminded me to smile a little bigger at others here at home too!”
The Gift a Gallon deadline is fast approaching! Interested in packing a bag? It’s simple!
Each bag should include:
1 Pack of crayons
1 Small coloring book or notebook
2 Pencils & sharpener
1 T-shirt or dress
Underwear
Dark colored socks
1 Toothbrush with case
2 Travel-size toothpastes (put in small storage bag)
1 Washcloth
1 Bar of soap
1 Nail clipper
Turn in your Gallon Gift by May 31, 2019: 1) mail to RTRA, PO Box 92216, Nashville, TN 37209, or 2) bring to one of the following collection sites:
· Forest Hills UMC, Brentwood, TN (RTRA Office)
· Blakemore UMC, Nashville, TN
· Christ UMC, Franklin, TN
· Cornerstone Presbyterian, Franklin, TN
· Grace UMC, Mt. Juliet, TN
· Homestead UMC, Crossville, TN
· Carthage UMC, Carthage, TN
· Connell Memorial UMC, Goodlettsville, TN
· The Chapel, Brunswick, GA
· Central Presbyterian, Merced, CA
· First Presbyterian, Concord, CA
Your Gift a Gallon will be delivered at the end of June, and we will send you a photo of the student you sponsor with his or her bag! We look forward to seeing the creative ways you spread joy this season through RTRA’s Gift a Gallon.