St. Andrew By-The-Sea ‘Christmas Grace’ to provide gifts for 70+ families in need

BLUFFTON—A group of United Methodists in the Lowcountry have revamped their Christmas gift program for families in need because of the challenges presented by the pandemic.

This year, St. Andrew By-The-Sea United Methodist Church’s Bridge Builders and Christmas Grace ministries are teaming up to provide Christmas gifts for roughly 70 families within the Hardeeville area, near Hilton Head and Bluffton where the church’s two campuses are based.

Donna Beavers, a STBTS Bluffton Campus member, said the need is greater this year than ever with COVID-19 and so many people losing their jobs and being insecure financially.

“We were determined despite the virus that Christmas Grace would be provided through our church, so we worked hard to come up with way to do it safely,” Beavers said.

Instead of an in-person shopping event, the gifts will be shown to parents via catalog. They will select gifts, which will then be packaged and delivered safely to their cars Dec. 12.

Sue Yearwood, of Bridge Builders, said their ministry started five years ago as a result of the massacre at Mother Emanuel. As part of their mission, they are participating in Christmas Grace.

“The need this year is greater than ever before,” Yearwood said. “We looked at all the (Christmas assistance) programs being cancelled and knew we had to make it happen.”

To view a video on the program, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQv2HXaM6WY.