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Christmas in July: New Image Ministries trying to give kids some holiday cheer this summer

By Staff | Jul 8, 2015

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Some of the people planning a special Christmas in July for special needs children of Lehigh. Shown from left to right are Diane McClelland, Helen Monroe, Pastor Michael Porzio, Autumn Johnson, Patrick Decker, Jeffrey Johnson and Barbara Johnson.

The temperatures may be in the 90s in July in Southwest Florida, but that’s just fine with the pastor and congregation of New Image Ministries who plan to celebrate Christmas in July on the 25th, a Saturday.

New Image Ministries Church is located at 29 Homestead Rd. S., next door to the VFW Post. On July 25, exactly four months from the actual Christmas Day, Pastor Mike Porzio and two of his teachers and others in a program to help the special needs children of Lehigh, are looking for Christmas gifts and they need your help to make it all happen.

Pastor Porzio and church member Helen Monroe began working on this project in January.

“Our pastor wanted us to do something big so the special needs children that we administer to here would have a big time, so we came up with the Christmas in July idea,” said Monroe, who is a teacher in the program.

Today, in addition to Monroe, Barbara Johnson is also a teacher and both works with physically and mentally challenged children in a program at the church. Parents and relatives of these disabled children of all ages, are invited to become a part of the program each Wednesday.

Pastor Mike Porzio

“We have Bible study and we do a lot of things to help the children with special needs,” said Barbara Johnson, who has a child with special needs.

While there are only a few special needs children so far enrolled at the church program, the pastor, Monroe and Johnson are trying to get the word out in the community that there is such a program at their church and disabled children, including those with disabilities and learning disorders, are welcome to attend.

They are working to get the word out in the community that the big special event in the program is the Christmas in July celebration where they say there will be a Santa Claus, all decked out in red with his white whiskers and his wife.

The fellowship room at the church will be decked all out with Christmas decorations. There will be a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and plenty of treats.

And with the help of the public, the trio is hoping there will be gifts to hand out to the special needs children.

The church is rarely closed, according to Helen Monroe, who said for years the church is open to anyone who wants to come during the morning hours just to pray and/or socialize, to talk to someone, and to talk about any problems they may have.

“We are here every morning from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s a gathering place for anyone who wants to come and even pray with us and talk about anything on their minds in a peaceful setting,” said Monroe. “There is no cost and it is a blessing for all who may want to slow down and give some time to themselves by talking with the friendly people at the church who volunteer their time each day.”

The church has worship serves every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. And before that they offer a continental breakfast and this month on the 26th, they will offer a family dinner at 3 p.m.

But today, the trio and their church congregation which has consists of around 80 to 100 members, are getting excited about Christmas in July on the last Saturday of the month.

“We are asking for community support to help us have gifts for the special needs children in the community. We ask that they be brought to the church unwrapped. We will wrap them and put holiday ribbons on the packages. They can be toys for a certain age group and also gift cards perhaps for the older ones.”

Pastor Porzio, who has been with the church for more than two decades, along with his members, are putting an invitation out there to invite the parents and families of special needs children to the Christmas in July event.

“We would love to see a big group of families and their special needs children, those who have never heard of our program here at the church, to join us,” said Monroe.

Johnson, whose son is a special needs youngster, is looking forward to the celebration.

“We need gifts and gift cards and we need to get the word out for everyone who has a child who is disabled mentally or physically, to join us. We are also planning a special Christmas dinner with turkey and ham and all the trimmings, just like the real Christmas in December,” Johnson added.

They believe there may be as many as 100 and 150 special needs kids in Lehigh Acres. They do ask that folks preregister for the Christmas in July program by calling with Barbara Johnson at 239-878-9264 or Helen Monroe at 239-410-5284. They will make a list and offer suggestions for an age-related gifts. They ask that the gifts cost between $10 and $20, and for older children, perhaps a $20 gift card.

Along with the gifts for the special needs kids, the three running the program now are asking the community to help them spread the word so any family with a special needs child comes to the event. They suggest that folks can call them at the numbers listed above for more information.

“We just want everyone to have a great time and to see the kids’ eyes brighten up and enjoy the day, and for everyone who attends to enjoy a Christmas Dinner in July. We want to do this for the special needs children who are living in Lehigh and be here for their parents,” Johnson said.

Christmas in July: New Image Ministries trying to give kids some holiday cheer this summer

By Staff | Jul 8, 2015

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Some of the people planning a special Christmas in July for special needs children of Lehigh. Shown from left to right are Diane McClelland, Helen Monroe, Pastor Michael Porzio, Autumn Johnson, Patrick Decker, Jeffrey Johnson and Barbara Johnson.

The temperatures may be in the 90s in July in Southwest Florida, but that’s just fine with the pastor and congregation of New Image Ministries who plan to celebrate Christmas in July on the 25th, a Saturday.

New Image Ministries Church is located at 29 Homestead Rd. S., next door to the VFW Post. On July 25, exactly four months from the actual Christmas Day, Pastor Mike Porzio and two of his teachers and others in a program to help the special needs children of Lehigh, are looking for Christmas gifts and they need your help to make it all happen.

Pastor Porzio and church member Helen Monroe began working on this project in January.

“Our pastor wanted us to do something big so the special needs children that we administer to here would have a big time, so we came up with the Christmas in July idea,” said Monroe, who is a teacher in the program.

Today, in addition to Monroe, Barbara Johnson is also a teacher and both works with physically and mentally challenged children in a program at the church. Parents and relatives of these disabled children of all ages, are invited to become a part of the program each Wednesday.

Pastor Mike Porzio

“We have Bible study and we do a lot of things to help the children with special needs,” said Barbara Johnson, who has a child with special needs.

While there are only a few special needs children so far enrolled at the church program, the pastor, Monroe and Johnson are trying to get the word out in the community that there is such a program at their church and disabled children, including those with disabilities and learning disorders, are welcome to attend.

They are working to get the word out in the community that the big special event in the program is the Christmas in July celebration where they say there will be a Santa Claus, all decked out in red with his white whiskers and his wife.

The fellowship room at the church will be decked all out with Christmas decorations. There will be a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and plenty of treats.

And with the help of the public, the trio is hoping there will be gifts to hand out to the special needs children.

The church is rarely closed, according to Helen Monroe, who said for years the church is open to anyone who wants to come during the morning hours just to pray and/or socialize, to talk to someone, and to talk about any problems they may have.

“We are here every morning from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s a gathering place for anyone who wants to come and even pray with us and talk about anything on their minds in a peaceful setting,” said Monroe. “There is no cost and it is a blessing for all who may want to slow down and give some time to themselves by talking with the friendly people at the church who volunteer their time each day.”

The church has worship serves every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. And before that they offer a continental breakfast and this month on the 26th, they will offer a family dinner at 3 p.m.

But today, the trio and their church congregation which has consists of around 80 to 100 members, are getting excited about Christmas in July on the last Saturday of the month.

“We are asking for community support to help us have gifts for the special needs children in the community. We ask that they be brought to the church unwrapped. We will wrap them and put holiday ribbons on the packages. They can be toys for a certain age group and also gift cards perhaps for the older ones.”

Pastor Porzio, who has been with the church for more than two decades, along with his members, are putting an invitation out there to invite the parents and families of special needs children to the Christmas in July event.

“We would love to see a big group of families and their special needs children, those who have never heard of our program here at the church, to join us,” said Monroe.

Johnson, whose son is a special needs youngster, is looking forward to the celebration.

“We need gifts and gift cards and we need to get the word out for everyone who has a child who is disabled mentally or physically, to join us. We are also planning a special Christmas dinner with turkey and ham and all the trimmings, just like the real Christmas in December,” Johnson added.

They believe there may be as many as 100 and 150 special needs kids in Lehigh Acres. They do ask that folks preregister for the Christmas in July program by calling with Barbara Johnson at 239-878-9264 or Helen Monroe at 239-410-5284. They will make a list and offer suggestions for an age-related gifts. They ask that the gifts cost between $10 and $20, and for older children, perhaps a $20 gift card.

Along with the gifts for the special needs kids, the three running the program now are asking the community to help them spread the word so any family with a special needs child comes to the event. They suggest that folks can call them at the numbers listed above for more information.

“We just want everyone to have a great time and to see the kids’ eyes brighten up and enjoy the day, and for everyone who attends to enjoy a Christmas Dinner in July. We want to do this for the special needs children who are living in Lehigh and be here for their parents,” Johnson said.

Christmas in July: New Image Ministries trying to give kids some holiday cheer this summer

By Staff | Jul 8, 2015

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Some of the people planning a special Christmas in July for special needs children of Lehigh. Shown from left to right are Diane McClelland, Helen Monroe, Pastor Michael Porzio, Autumn Johnson, Patrick Decker, Jeffrey Johnson and Barbara Johnson.

The temperatures may be in the 90s in July in Southwest Florida, but that’s just fine with the pastor and congregation of New Image Ministries who plan to celebrate Christmas in July on the 25th, a Saturday.

New Image Ministries Church is located at 29 Homestead Rd. S., next door to the VFW Post. On July 25, exactly four months from the actual Christmas Day, Pastor Mike Porzio and two of his teachers and others in a program to help the special needs children of Lehigh, are looking for Christmas gifts and they need your help to make it all happen.

Pastor Porzio and church member Helen Monroe began working on this project in January.

“Our pastor wanted us to do something big so the special needs children that we administer to here would have a big time, so we came up with the Christmas in July idea,” said Monroe, who is a teacher in the program.

Today, in addition to Monroe, Barbara Johnson is also a teacher and both works with physically and mentally challenged children in a program at the church. Parents and relatives of these disabled children of all ages, are invited to become a part of the program each Wednesday.

Pastor Mike Porzio

“We have Bible study and we do a lot of things to help the children with special needs,” said Barbara Johnson, who has a child with special needs.

While there are only a few special needs children so far enrolled at the church program, the pastor, Monroe and Johnson are trying to get the word out in the community that there is such a program at their church and disabled children, including those with disabilities and learning disorders, are welcome to attend.

They are working to get the word out in the community that the big special event in the program is the Christmas in July celebration where they say there will be a Santa Claus, all decked out in red with his white whiskers and his wife.

The fellowship room at the church will be decked all out with Christmas decorations. There will be a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and plenty of treats.

And with the help of the public, the trio is hoping there will be gifts to hand out to the special needs children.

The church is rarely closed, according to Helen Monroe, who said for years the church is open to anyone who wants to come during the morning hours just to pray and/or socialize, to talk to someone, and to talk about any problems they may have.

“We are here every morning from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s a gathering place for anyone who wants to come and even pray with us and talk about anything on their minds in a peaceful setting,” said Monroe. “There is no cost and it is a blessing for all who may want to slow down and give some time to themselves by talking with the friendly people at the church who volunteer their time each day.”

The church has worship serves every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. And before that they offer a continental breakfast and this month on the 26th, they will offer a family dinner at 3 p.m.

But today, the trio and their church congregation which has consists of around 80 to 100 members, are getting excited about Christmas in July on the last Saturday of the month.

“We are asking for community support to help us have gifts for the special needs children in the community. We ask that they be brought to the church unwrapped. We will wrap them and put holiday ribbons on the packages. They can be toys for a certain age group and also gift cards perhaps for the older ones.”

Pastor Porzio, who has been with the church for more than two decades, along with his members, are putting an invitation out there to invite the parents and families of special needs children to the Christmas in July event.

“We would love to see a big group of families and their special needs children, those who have never heard of our program here at the church, to join us,” said Monroe.

Johnson, whose son is a special needs youngster, is looking forward to the celebration.

“We need gifts and gift cards and we need to get the word out for everyone who has a child who is disabled mentally or physically, to join us. We are also planning a special Christmas dinner with turkey and ham and all the trimmings, just like the real Christmas in December,” Johnson added.

They believe there may be as many as 100 and 150 special needs kids in Lehigh Acres. They do ask that folks preregister for the Christmas in July program by calling with Barbara Johnson at 239-878-9264 or Helen Monroe at 239-410-5284. They will make a list and offer suggestions for an age-related gifts. They ask that the gifts cost between $10 and $20, and for older children, perhaps a $20 gift card.

Along with the gifts for the special needs kids, the three running the program now are asking the community to help them spread the word so any family with a special needs child comes to the event. They suggest that folks can call them at the numbers listed above for more information.

“We just want everyone to have a great time and to see the kids’ eyes brighten up and enjoy the day, and for everyone who attends to enjoy a Christmas Dinner in July. We want to do this for the special needs children who are living in Lehigh and be here for their parents,” Johnson said.