by Amy Caskie

We have so many ministries and such a large church, it seems we are always collecting donations for something! We know that it can be confusing to remember which ministry is doing what and how to donate to them. We hope to clarify for you as well as provide some insight into best practices.

In a perfect world, we would have unlimited space, time, and labor to accept, sort, store and distribute all kinds of donations to fulfill widespread needs. The now-defunct Gigantic Garage Sale was our answer to that problem for about 25 years! However, that is no longer the reality of our situation at First Community, or most charitable organizations. Each organization has their own procedures and needs and it serves the organization it is best if you familiarize yourself with their needs prior to donating. This is the best way to ensure your impact is positive.

For instance, we ask that donations going to ministries at our south campus not be left at our north campus. The coordination it takes to get them from one place to another is cumbersome for a small staff. Instead we ask donors to bring items to the south campus during times where there are volunteers available to deal with them. While the hours are limited, each ministry is willing to coordinate with donors to make something work. It's best to give us a call or send us an email to do this ahead of time. When we know what to expect, we are best prepared to handle it.

Additionally, we ask that donors be thoughtful about what they're donating. If you consider the person that might receive that donation, you can think about the value it has to them. For instance, even those children without many toys probably don't want a Barbie doll that's missing a head! For example, the Trading Post prides itself on high-quality merchandise. This policy allowed them to make over $110,000 in 2023, so we think it's working out. When they receive donations of lower-quality items, they either get thrown out or a volunteer then takes them to another larger organization. This volunteer makes several runs a week!

In summary, you will have the most positive impact if you follow these guidelines:

1. Be thoughtful about your donations. Ask yourself: Will this add value to someone's life?
2. Familiarize yourself with what each ministry needs and only donate those items which they have the means to use. The list above is not exhaustive, but it's a good start.
3. Deliver donations in the time, location and manner laid out. Remember that each ministry has limited resources for labor, space and distribution.
4. If you're not sure what, how or when to donate, contact the ministry directly to clarify!

If your donations don't meet the criteria laid out, we suggest taking furniture to the following organizations

• Furniture Bank of Central Ohio
• Goodwill Columbus
• Volunteers of America
• Habitat ReStore

Visit the links for more information about what these organizations collect and how to donate.

We appreciate your contributions to our ministry. In addition to preservation of resources, your consideration of these guidelines also helps maintain our beautiful spaces!

Furniture and appliances

• Heart to Heart and the Trading Post cannot take furniture donations or household items. We have no means for storing or distributing them.
• The Refugee Ministry Team supports arriving families as they come in. Rather than keeping a stockpile of donations, the group will make specific asks if and when they are needed. Often, families cannot take the size, amount or type of furniture you may want to donate. (For instance, a formal dining room set for 10 doesn’t fit in a two-bedroom apartment.) To determine what is needed, please contact Mission@FCchurch.com and we will coordinate the with Refugee Ministry Team leaders.
• Moving, pickup and delivery of furniture items takes a lot of planning and volunteers. If there is a ministry able to accept your furniture donation, remember it will take some time to make arrangements.

Heart to Heart Donations

Heart to Heart gladly accepts donations of goods in addition to monetary donations. All non-perishable donations are to be delivered directly to First Community South and left in the alley outside the kitchen on the cart marked for this purpose. There are directional signs in the parking lot. If the South Campus is open, you may also leave these donations in collection bins in the coat room on the first floor.

If you have a perishable donation (fruit, meat, etc.), please drop it off during these times so our volunteers can properly and immediately store them:

• Mondays 9 am – 11 am
• Wednesdays 2 pm – 6 pm
• Fridays 9 am – 1 pm

Our most requested items are:

• Peanut Butter and Jelly
• Spaghetti noodles and sauce
• Pancake mix and syrup
• Cereal and shelf-stable milk
• Canned Vegetables (not beans)
• Canned Hearty Soups
• Baby Wipes and Diapers (esp. size 5-7)
• Toiletries (toothpaste, soap, lotion, etc.)

We can also accept:

• nutritional drinks
• baby formula/food

We cannot accept:

• food that is opened or expired
• medical equipment or healthcare items such as: medicine, first aid supplies, or tubing.

This information is also available on our website.

Trading Post Donations

We can only accept donations during our open business hours. Items can be left in the Receiving Room of the Annex, or you can let a volunteer know that you are here to drop off if assistance is needed.

General List of Items Accepted for donation:

• Clothing: men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes, and accessories
• Décor: artwork, frames, silk flowers, knick-knacks, candles & candle sticks, vases, statues
• Office supplies: stationery, paper, hole punchers, pens and pencils, letter openers, file folders, notebooks
• Entertainment: DVDs, CD,s, LPs
• Books: kids & adult books, hardback & paperback, coloring books, craft books, religious books, antique books, coffee table books, travel books, maps and globes, magazines
• Housewares: dishes, mugs & teacups, kitchen implements, pots & pans, blenders, mixers, glassware, muffin tins
• Sporting Goods (but nothing too large such as skis)
• Linens: cloth napkins, tablecloths and table runners, shower curtains, pillows, sheets, doilies
• Craft supplies: paint, scrapbooking supplies, colored pencils, beads, yarn, floss, knitting needles, gift bags, wrapping paper and ribbon
• Sewing supplies: Notions, fabric, scissors, needles, buttons, thread, seam binding
• Personal: make-up, lotions, soap, hair accessories, travel and make-up bags, organizers
• Antiques: Toys, dishes, décor, ephemera, vintage clothing
• Jewelry (even broken which we sell for crafts)
• Toys: Legos, dolls & doll clothes, stuffed animals, trucks & cars, musical instruments, puzzles, decks of cards, blocks, games
• Other: tools, gardening supplies, electronics & accessories, radios, clocks, luggage, backpacks, coolers & thermoses, tools, birdhouses & feeders

Trading Post does not accept donations of:

• Furniture (e.g., Sofas)
• Large appliances (e.g., Microwaves)
• Printers, computer monitors, fax machines, etc.

This information can also be found on our webpage.

Used Shopping Bags

• Plastic bags: As retailers discontinue the use of plastic bags in stores, please consider donating what remains to our mat makers. There are receptables for these donations in the Rose Wing vestibule at north campus and in the coat room at south campus.
• The Trading Post would love to have your donations of brown paper and reusable bags with handles.
• For sanitary reasons, Heart to Heart prefers to use all new bags.

Used Eyeglasses

Church members Charlie and Ann Jacob collect eyeglasses through a program developed by Lions Club. The prescription eyeglasses go to SVOSH at Ohio State. The reader eyeglasses are given out locally at the annual Good Neighbor Picnic. There are boxes for collection in the following spaces:

• South Campus: in coat room
• Annex: Trading Post stairwell
• North Campus: Rose wing vestibule

Trading Post Notes

Wrapping up 2022

"I had the nicest visit with Tony today.  I've been frustrated lately … Then I go and see Tony who makes me laugh, re-ignites my faith, and make me wonder why I was complaining about my little problems." -Tom White, pictured with Tony Apanovtich

Email excerpts from Jeff Leister

January 20

Dear friends,

Most of you know that Greg Esparza, a member of First Community, has served almost 40 years on Ohio's death row. About 1 year ago, there was a hearing to review the entire history of his case and the court determined in October this year that he was sentenced to death inappropriately. This morning, Greg's re-sentencing hearing was held.

Greg called me as soon as he could after the re-sentencing hearing. He described it as a very emotional and touching time. He said that he became emotional as he read his statement to the court and he was moved by the statement made by the daughter of the woman he was charged for murdering. (Remember, this hearing was about his sentence, and not guilt or innocence.) Greg said that the courtroom was overfull with supporting friends and family for both he and the slain woman's family. 10 of Greg's supporters had to remain in the hallway because there was no room in the courtroom. I hope that some of you were able to make the trip. Greg said that at the end of the hearing, the daughter of the slain woman approached his attorney and gave her a Bible and a religious book, asking that she pass it on to Greg. He was very touched by this gift.

Judge Stacy Cook reduced his sentence from Execution to "30 years to life" and referred his case to the Parole Board for review and, I presume - but not sure, arrange his release with 30+ years of time served. I expect that Greg will probably be reclassified and transferred back to a state prison appropriate to his new classification until the Parole Board reviews his case and sets terms for his release. I'm told that the Parole Board usually requires that a person have a job lined up and a place to stay before they arrange release.

Bless all of you who have supported Greg over the years.

February 4

Here is the latest status for Greg.

Greg called me this morning to inform me of his move to Lucasville Prison yesterday. Believe it or not, his security level was raised from a Level 3 to a more severe Level 4. As such, Lucasville prison houses Level 4 inmates. He had hoped to be transferred to the Toledo prison in the northwest corner of the state where his family could visit him, but he is now a 4 hour drive from Toledo in the southeast corner of the state. He did go back to Chillicothe to be processed out but was not allowed to say goodbye to his friends there. He has a cell to himself (not shared). At this prison, he is only allowed out of his cell to go to eat, go to the gym 5 times a week (if he chooses), and go to the Library twice a week (if he chooses).

A Level 4 inmate may only receive one food box and one sundry box per year. So, in many ways, he has less freedom to move around than he did on death row or the county jail. Having said all of this, his spirits are high. He hopes to have his security level changed back to a Level 3 within the year. Greg hopes that you folks can start writing to him again at his new home and he will call you, as he did in the past.

Did you miss the last issue of On a Mission! blog? There's a great story from the Trading Post. View it, and all past issues, by clicking the link below.

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