Jared Box Project

 Update:

Due to an uprising in Covid cases we have decided to extend our Jared Box mission through the month of February. We will be collecting items through the month of February for a packing party on Sunday, March 6th after worship in Kingsley Hall. You can find a list of items in Thoburn lobby and in the sanctuary or check out our Amazon idea list for ideas on what to purchase for the boxes. Be sure to keep in mind when purchasing items that we are using shoebox size boxes. Donations can be dropped off to the table in the lobby or the table in the back of the sanctuary. After our packing party, the boxes will be delivered to Meadville Medical Center to bring joy to children in the hospital! 

What’s a “Jared Box”??

The Jared Box Project was started in 2001 by the children of Our Lady of Victory School in State College, Pennsylvania, to honor their classmate and friend, Jared. He was a brave little boy who battled cancer with a courage and faith that continues to inspire us all. Since then, more than 900,000 Jared Boxes have been delivered across the United States. Boxes filled with the “gift of play” are given to young patients in emergency rooms, hospital rooms, surgical centers and clinics. Children and their parents are so thankful for these boxes that showcase the importance of play and are filled with well wishes, hope and love.

The mission of the Jared Box Project is to entertain and put a smile on the faces of children in the hospital. Each box contains small gifts, toys, games, crayons, coloring books and fun activities selected for a specific age and gender made by individuals or groups.

Stone UMC wants to help support this mission by collecting items and assembling boxes for Meadville Medical Center during the month of January. A suggested toy list is available in the church office, sanctuary and for download on our website! You can choose to shop for one individual box OR donate any item/items you feel led to purchase. If you choose to put together your own box, please use the labels and materials found in the church lobby/office to label your box according to age appropriateness and whether is it for a male or female. No food items are accepted and please stay away from anything that may break such as glass or other fragile items.

There are a lot of downloadable resources on the Jared Box Website as well including activity pages and note card suggestions. If you have questions, please contact Cyndi Bland or Marian Beckman. Thank you! 

For information on putting together a Jared Box please visit: https://thejaredbox.org/make-a-jared-box/ 

To purchase items from our Amazon Wish List CLICK HERE!