Solar Oven Partners (SOP) offers alternatives to the give-and-get craziness of Christmas commercialization.

According to Heifer International’s 2023 Gift Catalog, nearly six in ten Americans say they would rather have a donation made on their behalf to their favorite charity than receive a gift for themselves this year.

Give the gift or ask for the gift that delivers sustainable physical, economic and environmental well-being in a practical package. Solar Oven Partners is an UMCOR Advance project and a mission project of Dakotas Conference. There are two ways to donate:

• Make check to Solar Oven Partners. Memo line: Dakotas UMC Advance #637. Mail to Solar Oven Partners, 1331 W. University Ave., PO Box 460, Mitchell, SD 57301
• Give online on our UMCOR/Advance link. 

Here are the “tools” you need to promote SOP’s alternative gift giving:

1. Pastors, please use these three slides at announcement time and in social media.
   
2. Please download and print the 2023 SOP trifold brochure showing how to give and what your gift to Solar Oven Partners will do. Tuck brochures in worship bulletins or include this pdf with your weekly e-newsletter. Give a brochure to family members—ask for a donation to SOP in your honor when they ask what you want for Christmas.
   
3. Invite your faith community to follow SOP on Facebook where we feature the brochure, gift cards plus lots of news from the November trip to Sierra Leone.
   
4. To notify recipients about your SOP donation on their behalf, download an honor card or a memorial card to print on 8.5x11 paper. You can fold, personalize and mail to the recipient in a standard business envelope.

Reflect God’s Light with love —give an “alternative gift” this year.

1) Make check to Solar Oven Partners. Memo line: Dakotas UMC Advance #637. Mail to: Solar Oven Partners, 1331 W. University Ave., PO Box 460, Mitchell, S.D., 57301.

2) Or give online on our UMCOR/Advance link.