Children on a mission

A hula-hoop fund-raiser also has raised the fun level for Verdigris UMC Children’s Ministry. The children love to hula-hoop and take part in an annual contest. This summer they chose to spin for donations and pledges rather than twirl for trophies. They raised $1,857 for young fire victims to attend Oklahoma Firefighter’s Burn Camp—and plastered Pastor Mark Whitley with pie as their reward!

Becca Worthington, eating her lunch while she spins, hula-hooped for three hours without stopping, reported Ellen Wehn.

Missions are a big part of the Children’s Ministry, Director Wehn said. The children have made toy animals for Haitian children and blankets for Joplin, Mo., tornado victims, and have collected items for Emergency Infant Services in Claremore.

Verdigris UMC provides care for children, ages 5-12, before and after school and all day during summers, through CAPE (Children’s After-School Program Enrichment). Between 30 and 40 children take part. They learned about the burn camp from Safari Joe, who operates a wildlife sanctuary in Adair and frequently makes presentations at CAPE.