2022 Alternative Gift Options
Alternative giving is a form of gift giving in which the giver makes a donation to a charitable organization on the gift recipient’s behalf, rather than giving them an item. Each year Old First provides an Alternative Gift option for those who may be searching for a special way to acknowledge someone in their life. This year we have two alternative gift options.
Option 1: New Amsterdam Boys and Girls Choir (NABGC)
The New Amsterdam Boys and Girls Choir was established in 1986 as the New Amsterdam Boys Choir. In 2008, it broadened its mission to serve girls. The choir annually gives 10 – 15 local performances. The venues for concerts away from New York City have been Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Vermont, and Nebraska. Old First has been hosting the choir for the past 9 years and our congregation loves the music they share with us and the fellowship.
The New Amsterdam Boys and Girls Choir (NABGC) has provided a comprehensive choral music program for East Harlem young people. Along with learning how to be dynamic performers, NABGC members learn life skills from time management, to working together, and developing leadership. Our Alternative Gift fundraising will help the choir’s goals for the 2022-2023 season. They aim to build a concert choir of 20 elementary, middle and high school students who will give 10-15 performances, including trips out of town.
To donate to this organization, make your Alternative Gift donation to Old First and indicate it is for “choir.”
Old First will accept payment through Breeze, cash, and checks. Please contact me if you need a card for your recipient.
Option 2: Ajyal Program in Palestine
The UCC Global Ministries is currently supporting Elders at the Ajyal Senior Care Program (Bethlehem, Palestine). The Senior Care Program is hosted by an organization called Diyar which means “home” or “homeland” in Arabic. This program supports older adults to live fuller lives. With no social security or health insurance for those who are above 65 years old, Ajyal Program is a comprehensive elderly care program that offers basic services, spiritual fellowship, social support system, and opportunities for continuous education and growth.
In the last fifteen years, the Ajyal program has expanded from a group of 14 to a group of over 400, with members from Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour, and care recipients in 8 villages in the Bethlehem governorate. Diyar is a Lutheran-based, ecumenically-oriented organization serving the whole Palestinian community, with emphasis on children, youth, women and the elderly through unique programs that are contextual and holistic in nature. Founded in 1995 as the International Center of Bethlehem, Diyar Consortium serves several thousands of members and reaches more than 60,000 people annually.
You can read more about the program here:
https://www.diyar.ps/en/page/ajyal-program
Diyar’s Vision: That We Might Have Life AND Have It Abundantly
Diyar’s Mission: To build a country; stone by stone
To empower a community; person by person
To create institutions that give life in abundance
There are several ways to donate to this organization.
(1) You can write a check to Old First or give online through Breeze.
(2) You can make a one-time gift to UCC Global Ministries in tribute or honor of your loved one. In the space that says “specific designation” you need to write Ajyal Senior Care Program.
https://www.globalministries.org/donation_page/
(3) You can sign up for a $35 monthly sponsorship for Ajyal Senior Care Program..
https://www.ucc.org/global-ministries-child-and-elder-sponsorship-program/
Now is the time to start thinking about that gift that will impact your loved ones and the organization you give to.
Old First will accept payment through Breeze, cash, and checks. Please contact me if you need a card for your recipient.
Please make checks payable to Old First with Alternative Gift in the memo. If giving online, write “Ajyal” or “choir” in the Breeze note.
Please contact me with any questions: Billi’s e-mail is b.amoscharron@gmail.com
BELOW IS A COPY OF THE ORDER FORM WE ARE USING AT CHURCH.
You can print it out and send it to us, or just indicate on your payment where you want your Alternative Gift contribution to go.
ALTERNATIVE GIFT
This year we supporting the New Amsterdam Boys and Girls Choir (East Harlem) and the Ajyal Senior Care Program (Palestine).
ORDER TODAY:
Name: ____________________________________
Amount enclosed: ________
I need a card for a recipient ___ YES ___NO
______ $15 for New Amsterdam Boys and Girls Choir, NYC
______ $25 for New Amsterdam Boys and Girls Choir, NYC
______ $50 for New Amsterdam Boys and Girls Choir, NYC
______ other amount for New Amsterdam Boys and Girls Choir
______ $15 for Ajyal Senior Care Program, Palestine
______ $25 for Ajyal Senior Care Program, Palestine
______ $50 for Ajyal Senior Care Program, Palestine
______ other amount for Ajyal Senior Care Program
Put your check in the collection plate with Alternative Gift written in the Memo Line. Billi will get in touch with you. Online giving is available on Breeze! Write “Ajyal” or “choir” in the note.
