Interfaith Hospitality Network – IHN provides shelter for homeless families in several Savannah churches. Isle of Hope UMC will host families in the Green House during the following weeks: June 14-21 and October 11-18. We need volunteers to help with set-up, prepare meals, play with the children, serve as evening and overnight hosts, and clean-up.  This is a great way for families to volunteer together! Call Gina Reed at 352.7444 or Felicia McManamy at 691.1744 to volunteer.

Inner City Night Shelter – We provide volunteers to serve dinner on the second Sunday of each month from 4:30-6:00 PM. We also provide soup and sandwiches to be served at another time. Sign up with a Sunday School class or call Martha Nesbit at 355.5049 to volunteer.

Wesley Community Centers – We collect non-perishable food items and paper bags the first Sunday of every month for Wesley. We also collect Campbell’s soup labels to help Wesley receive items needed in the child care center. They frequently need volunteers to help stock the pantry, organize the clothes closet and teach computer and literacy classes.

The Ronald McDonald House - Collect your aluminum tabs from canned beverages and place them in the “Ronald McDonald House” box outside of the church office. RMH always needs volunteers to bake cookies or fix dinner at the house or to prepare casseroles to be frozen and eaten later.

Coastal Jail Ministries of Georgia - Volunteers are needed to grade Bible tests for inmates involved in this prison ministry. A grading score is provided. Pick up and return the tests at the church and do the grading in the comfort of your own home.

Living Vine Baby Bottle Fundraiser – Pick up an empty baby bottle outside of the church office, take it home and fill it with spare change, then return it to the church office where you can pick up a new bottle. The change is taken to the Living Vine to help with their on-going expenses. This is a great family fundraising activity.

The Christ Child’s Nest –During a Faith In Practice medical mission trip in 1999, team members became aware of an orphanage in Guatemala with many needs. In December 2001, our church began a program where church members may financially “sponsor” a child at the orphanage on a monthly basis or with a one-time gift. You may also collect spare change in our “milk cartons” available in the church office. If you would like to know more or would like to give a gift to The Christ Child’s Nest, call Julie Vann at 355.8527.

Meals on Wheels –Isle of Hope UMC volunteers are responsible for delivering Meals on Wheels midday in the Southside area Mondays – Fridays. If you are interested in serving, please call Lynn Kritter at 354.1260.

Friends ‘n Needles (Prayer Shawl Ministry) – Prayer shawls are knitted or crocheted for people in need of comfort, solace, encouragement or celebration. Knitters pray for the recipient while they are making them. Baby blankets, knit hats, purses and chemo turbans are other items that can be prayerfully made. This is a ministry that you can participate in as part of a group or individually when convenient for you. The Prayer Shawl group meets the second Thursday of every month from 11-2pm in the Seeker’s classroom. Call Marilyn Wood at 355.7618 with questions.

We Care Meals – Our church pays for a hot lunch for family members of patients in the Intensive Care Units at Memorial Health University Health Center. Volunteers are there from 10:45- 12:00 noon to help serve the meal to the family members and to provide support and compassion in Jesus’ name.

L.O.V.E. Mentors- Volunteers who are trained by L.O.V.E. Mentors (Local Outreach Volunteer Educators) to mentor/tutor students at IOH Elementary School. A weekly commitment to a child who needs a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult is the only qualification. Thirty minutes at a time of your choosing twice per week between the hours of 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM could be a life-changing gift for a child. Please call Betsy Hines at 354.8957 to find out how you can be a L.O.V.E. Mentor.

Mission Teams- Throughout the year we send mission teams to various places both in the United States and internationally. These teams can be construction, medical, relief, VBS, or even a combination. Volunteers of all skill levels are needed.

Make a Difference Day- On October 24, 2009, IOHUMC participates in Make a Difference Day. Many service projects are provided for you or your family to get involved in helping our community.

Christmas Focus- During the Advent season we offer an alternative to buying gifts for your loved ones and instead, you can make a difference in someone’s life in honor/memory of your loved ones. Just stop by the Missions/Outreach table on the designated Sundays.

Heifer International- Once again this summer we will offer students K-5th grade the opportunity to read to feed others. Starting May 31st, students ask sponsors to pledge money for each book the student reads. At the end of the summer, students collect their donations which are sent to Heifer International. The donations purchase gifts of livestock to provide food and income for families living in poverty around the world.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Julie Vann, Director of Missions & Outreach, at 912.355.8527 or at jvann@iohumc.com