MCABW collecting items for Montgomery County non-profits in Conroe Dec 13

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas -- Look for the Montgomery County Association of Business Women’s red sleigh (actually a red Mustang convertible) in the Conroe Christmas parade this Saturday, December 13. MCABW Members have morphed into elves and will be collecting along the parade route for the Montgomery County organizations participating in the annual “Giving Tree Farm” project sponsored by Digital Texas’ Woodlands Online and Conroe Today online news sites.

The ‘tree farm’ is nestled in the northwest corner of The Woodlands, and if you’ve been unable to trek back in the woods to drop off your donations, you can pitch them in the ‘sleigh’ as it rolls by.

Digital Texas, the parent company of Woodlands Online and Conroe Today, is partnering with the MCABW and Margie Taylor of Taylorized PR, to help collect items for this year’s participating non-profit organizations.

Love Fosters Hope

Love Fosters Hope is a non-profit organization that brings hope, healing, and a bright future to children and teens in foster care in Montgomery County who have been abused, abandoned, and neglected. Each summer, Love Fosters Hope hosts summer camps for children in foster care. There, they are able to build friendships while just having fun being a kid. The goal of Love Fosters Hope is for every child to see that they are significant, valued and loved. The items on Love Foster's Hope's Giving Tree will go toward young girls in foster care who are currently in a Residential Treatment Center.</p> <p>Items Requested:</p> <p>Teen girls pajamas (sizes small, medium, large, extra large)<br /> gift cards</p> <p>Montgomery County Youth Services (MCYS)</p> <p>Montgomery County Youth Services is a non-profit organization that provides crisis counseling, shelter programs and prevention services in order to strengthen families, keep youth in school and prepare them to be productive citizens.</p> <p>Items Requested:</p> <p>Gas cards ($30 or under)<br /> Grocery store gift cards ($30 or under)</p> <p>Mercy House Kenya</p> <p><a data-cke-saved-href=">Mercy House Kenya was founded in by Kristen Welch, a local mom of three, and writer of the parenting blog, “We are THAT family.” A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Mercy House is located in Kenya, Africa, consisting of two safe houses for young pregnant women to give birth and raise their children in a safe environment. Many women at the Mercy House were forced into prostitution in order to help feed their families. With Mercy House, these women and children are given prenatal care, appropriate nutrition, Biblical teaching, educational learning, an account to start small business, a safe place to learn and heal, and much more. Watch a video about Mercy House Kenya.

Items requested:

Small baby toys (babies in Kenya)
Board books (toddlers in Kenya)
Fingernail polish, chap stick (for teen moms in Kenya)
Yarn (wool and cotton) in all colors (Fair Trade Friday refugee partners)
Carseats infant and toddler (Fair Trade Friday refugee partners)
Crochet hooks -all sizes (Fair Trade Friday refugee partners)
Backpacks (Fair Trade Friday partners in Ethiopia)
School supplies (Fair Trade Friday partners in Ethiopia)

Operation Military Embrace

Operation Military Embrace (OME) is a Texas-based 501(c)(3) non-profit charity that works to help, understand, give and serve those who have sacrificed so much for America. At OME, volunteers host motivational events for wounded/ill veterans and their families, provide financial assistance, send care packages to deployed troops, and much more. Items gathered goes toward wounded veterans at the San Antonio Military Medical Center and their families, as well as deployed troops. The OME Christmas tree will be at Blue Mug Cafe. Stop by the restuarant today to enjoy some delicous food and pick up an ornament while you are there! The unwrapped items can be placed under the tree anytime before December 23. Blue Mug Cafe is located at 30420 FM 2978, suite 400.

Visit this link for a full list of requested items... Operation Military Embrace (OME) Wish List.

Operation Pets Alive

Operation Pets Alive (OPA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, no-kill volunteer organization in Montgomery County, Texas, that promotes a no-kill community for homeless animals through advocacy and community-supported programs. OPA raises community awareness, reduces the number of dogs and cats that enter their shelters, and increase the number of dogs and cats that leave their shelters.

Items requested:

Pet food, dog and cat, wet & dry
Cat litter
Blankets and towels

Panther Creek Inspiration Ranch

The Panther Creek Inspiration Ranch is a 501(c)(3) non-profit facility whose mission is to enhance and transform the lives of children, individuals and families struggling with mental and physical challenges. The Ranch offers exceptional equine programs in a loving Christian environment.

Items requested:

Mane & Tail (conditioner only) 1 gal
Essential oils for natural fly control: lavender & citronella
Silver Ointment (1st aid)
Stable picks – Fed/tractor supply store
Yoga-exercise balls 2 of each 75cm & 65cm
Halters lead ropes, and rope reins
Large plastic barrels – (i.,e construction road-side size)
Small buckets (8qt) and grooming tools – (local feed or tack stores)
Slow feeder hay nets
Gift cards to use as volunteer awards - can be $5-10, from Starbucks, TCBY, etc
Lowes & Home Depot gift cards
Cleaning supplies for helmets – rubbing alcohol, tea tree oil, rags
1-5" cone set from the freedom rider website
Cone sleeves with pockets, (these are for adding visual aids to cones, eg. numbers, letters, words, riders names etc.)
Rainbow colored foam batons, for relays, teamwork etc.

StoneBridge Food Pantry

The food pantry at Stonebridge Church provides non-perishable food items and basic necessities to people struggling with poverty.

Items requested:

HEB gift cards
Size 4 and 5 Pull-ups
Cases of Peanut Butter and Jelly
Cases of Pancake Mix and Syrup
Cases of Condiments, such as Mayo, Mustard, and Ketchup
Snack items for children, such as cases of granola bars, cases of microwave popcorn, cases of poptarts, cases of fruit snacks, and cases of peanut butter crackers.
Chili and Saltine Crackers
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Hearty Cereals
Also at this time of year, the food pantry goes through a lot of Hot Chocolate and Apple Juice.

Operation Giving Heart

The annual toy and gift drive for county children in need, organized by Heaven’s Army of Resources, a Christian-based 501(c)3 non- profit organization that performs outreach ministry in East Montgomery County.

Items requested:

Toys for boys and girls
Stuffed animals
Everyone has a soft spot in their heart for one or more of the non-profit organizations listed above. If you have an item to donate, bring it to the parade with the name of the organization it’s to be earmarked for. The MCABW elves will get it to the “Giving Tree Farm” to be picked up in time for Christmas.