Destination Known Mission Team of EUM Church Donates to Give Kids The World

Cliff Rapier, Mission Coordinator at EUM Church; Chasity Shumaker,
and Leslie Sisco, GKTW Manager on Duty

Members of Destination Known Mission Team of EUM Church in Greenville, Ohio recently traveled to Florida to present a $1,300 check to Give Kids The World. Cliff Rapier, Missions Coordinator at EUM Church, and Chasity Shumaker had the privilege of presenting the check to Give Kids The World Manager on Duty, Leslie Sisco.

Give Kids the World is a non-profit organization that exists only to fulfill the wishes of children that are terminally ill or facing a life-threatening illness and their families from around the world. They rely solely on volunteers and donations to operate. Over 115,000 children have had their dreams come true; no child in need has ever been turned away. Give Kids the World Village is a place where families find joy, laughter, serenity, and a lifetime of memories.

Mission teams from EUM Church have been going to Give Kids the World for the past five years where they serve these families by scooping ice cream, painting fingernails, delivering pizzas, giving train rides, dancing with the kids at the Christmas parade, and many other ways. This is a time when the child is the center of attention without it being medically related. “It’s very rewarding to serve these families who are constantly battling a medical situation. If I can ease their burden and bring joy to their faces, even if it’s just for a few minutes, it’s worth it!” says Karen Brooks, an EUM Church three-time team member.

The EUM Mission Team started serving at Give Kids The World after Chasity’s daughter, Katelyn, was granted her wish and spent a week at the Village in 2006. Katelyn’s dream of seeing Cinderella was realized with the help of the Make A Wish Foundation and Give Kids The World. Katelyn passed away the following year, but her parents will always remember the smiles on their daughter’s face and the magical memories they made during this time. “Give Kids The World gave my daughter and my family a sense of peace and reminded us what life was supposed to be about,” says Chasity. “This was our time to escape reality and just enjoy each other. That magical week renewed my faith and gave us all hope and strength. It reminded me that dreams CAN become a reality. All of our frowns and tears were turned into joy and laughter. We came back from that cherished week with a refreshed spirit, ready to again face Katelyn’s horrific disease head on. The compassion, love, and generosity we received at Give Kids The World will never be forgotten and treasured beyond words!”

Destination Known Mission Team goes to Give Kids The World each year in May. This year an additional trip is being planned for October. If you would like more information about this mission trip, contact Cliff Rapier at 937-548-3211 ext 212 or crapier@eumchurch.org.

Destination Known is a ministry of EUM Church. Our worship services are Saturday at 6:30 pm and Sunday at 8:15, 9:45, and 11:15 am at our Worship Center located at 1451 Sater Street (corner of Sater and Sebring-Warner Road) in Greenville, OH. The Downtown Campus, 111 Devor Street, houses our offices and preschool. For more information, go to www.eumchurch.org or call 548-3211.