Each Christmas season, United Methodists from across the Dakotas Conference and beyond bring the gifts of Jesus in a shoebox.  Shoebox Christmas gifts are distributed to over 6,000 children across five Native American reservations in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.

Mike and Libby Flowers, co-directors at Spirit Lake Ministry Center in Sheyenne, ND coordinate the collection and distribution of the shoebox Christmas gifts. “We will be collecting gifts from churches around the middle of November,” said Mike Flowers.

Photos from video by Kent Taylor, Dakotas UMC.

Several years ago, after working in retail careers, Mike and Libby Flowers answered God's call to ministry at the Spirit Lake Ministry Center in Sheyenne, N.D., and latched onto their predecessor's Shoebox Christmas idea.

On the reservation, up to 70 percent of the children would not get a Christmas gift if not for the Shoebox Christmas Gift program and the generosity of the people that donate to this wonderful ministry.

"The typical recipient of a Shoebox Christmas gift lives below the poverty line. This year, Pine Ridge, Rosebud, Standing Rock, and Enemy Swim School in South Dakota; Spirit Lake and Turtle Mountain reservations in North Dakota and the Red Lake reservation in Minnesota, will receive Shoebox Christmas gifts,” Mike Flowers said.

What is in a Shoebox Christmas gift? To start, wrap the bottom and top of a shoebox separately with Christmas gift wrapping paper.  Add items that you purchase into the box. If you have children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, ask them what they would like for Christmas. Add that, a few more smaller gifts, some candy, a winter hat, mittens or gloves, place a rubber band around the box and then the top. Label the box with the age group and gender of the child on top of the box. Use the following age groups when you create your label:  infant, toddler, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, 13 and up. Please only add new toys and please do not put any clothing except the hats, gloves or mittens in the boxes.

Arrangements have been made to pick up Shoebox Christmas gifts at the sites and churches listed below. Please be sure and contact the drop-off site closest to you before you go to make sure the church is open and there is someone ready to receive your gifts.

Nov. 13— The Celebration at Brandon, SD
Nov 13—Conference Office, Mitchell, SD
Nov 13 or 14—McCabe UMC Bismarck, ND
Nov. 22—First UMC Pierre, SD*                                                                            Nov. 22—North Highland UMC Aberdeen, SD**               
Nov. 22—Canyon Lake UMC Rapid City, SD*                                                              Nov 27—First UMC Fargo, ND.
Nov. 29— Vincent UMC Minot, ND
Nov. 30—Wesley UMC Grand Forks ND

*Gifts delivered to these sites will go to Tree of Life in Mission, SD.  ** Gifts will be delivered to Enemy Swim Day School.

Warmth of the Spirit from Dakotas UMC on Vimeo.