In cooperation with the international mission "Christ is the Answer", the Slavic community in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, organized a charity event, "Secret Friend", for underprivileged children in Ukraine. About 200 gifts were given to children aged 3 to 17.
This was reported by Slovo pro Slovo, citing the press center of the Christ is the Answer mission.
The Slavic community in the United States initiated this campaign and, having received lists of gifts from CITA missionaries, collected a parcel for each child, according to their wishes, remaining a "secret friend" for their little Ukrainian friends.
The children ordered toys, coloring books and pencil albums, "dolls with big eyes," sneakers, backpacks, sports equipment, jackets, perfumes and cosmetics, construction sets and game consoles. Power banks were often on the lists.
According to the missionaries, children in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Rivne, and Ternopil regions received gifts.
"Sometimes we think, 'What can I do? I don't have the income to do great things and cover the needs of others." Nevertheless, when we open our hearts to care and show love to our neighbor, there is power in it. It is then that God makes it something more. That is exactly what happened this time. With a great desire and an open heart, the Slavic community of Christians in Knoxville, Tennessee, brought joy to children in such a difficult time in Ukraine. I believe that each of us can be the answer to someone's pain," said Antonina Zelenko, CITA's Operations Manager.
The international mission of CITA was established to spread the Gospel using various tools for evangelism and service to people.