you can help this weekend...

hello all:

if you're in or near springfield, illinois this weekend then check this out:

you can come to an open house to get information on how you can "give the gift" this christmas. if you have to shop for a gift for anyone (friend, neighbor, loved one, colleague, client, vendor, teacher...you get the idea) this can help save your sanity while also helping change the lives of orphans.

you simply make a contribution in honor (or in memory) of someone. you choose the card you'd like and include a personal message and sweet sleep sends the gift to them. there is also a video which shows the recipient what their gift is helping do this year.

you can even have sweet sleep take care of sending out your holiday christmas cards. the principle is the same as give the gift and addresses are not added to any mailing list. contact sweet sleep for more on this.

the 2009 give the gift is providing for 450 beds to children in northern uganda who have been living in a war-torn region for over 22 years. the war is now in a time of peace, however there are over one million people who are displaced; 3/4 of them are children in child headed households.

each bed is $88 and you can donate whatever amount you would normally spend on that person's gift, or whatever amount you would like. i will be spending several weeks with those children over christmas distributing their beds and sharing about what they represent: god's love, hope, protection, provision, redemption.....

attached is the information on the open house. for more on give the gift, visit www.sweetsleep.org/givethegift

if you'd like to host an open house in your area, let me know!

see you in the next blog....with more on haiti!
jen

you are invited to the home of

John & Maggie Colbert
sunday, november 15, 2009

2-5 pm
springfield, illinois

For the last six years we have been supporters of an organization called
Sweet Sleep, which provides beds to orphaned children around the world.
This Christmas we have decided to help provide beds and mosquito nets to 450
orphans in northern Uganda, thanks to an opportunity called “Give the Gift”.
When you give the gift of Sweet Sleep to in honor of someone you know,
you not only honor them—you change the life of a child in need by
giving them a healthy and comfortable place to sleep.

Please join us as we open our home to our friends and colleagues to share how
you can help “Give the Gift” to your friends, family, fellow colleagues.
Additionally, you will have the chance to purchase hand-crafted Ugandan
jewelry. Our friend, Jen Gash, is the President and Founder of Sweet Sleep and
will be here to share more with you and help you get your holiday giving off to
a meaningful start.

regrets: 217.698.9708