January, 2017 -

The people of Visions United Church are getting ready early for the big "150 Canada"celebration by planting 1500 tulips throughout our communities. The plan is a tulip planting week this September as we prepare for a beautiful spring. The bulbs will be distributed at church as soon as they are available.

These are very special tulips developed in The Netherlands (Holland) over the past two years. The tulip is white on the outside and red on the inside thus looking like a maple leaf flag. It is a gift of gratitude and friendship from the people of Holland for Canada's part in liberating their country in World War 2.

Whenever our Visions Ambassador Pam Harrison meets someone from Holland this year, she is making an effort to thank them for the special CANADA 150 tulips. "As well, I listen to their 'thank you ' to us." (Pam)

In the fall of 2015 we launched a test project to address the issue of poverty. We had heard the stories of those living on the streets and unable to obtain winter shelter due to mental illness. Our generous congregation supported our cause, along with many others and it was determined we would place 5 coats (sleeping bags) in each of the seven Maritime cities. We followed up in the spring and winter of 2016.

It would appear that we had a mild winter and the coats were not all given out. We were also testing our distribution contacts and have made a few changes in 2017. The following list is an update by Provence .

New Brunswick - St John (Ramero House) gave out all the coats and requested more / Fredericton (Wilmet United Church ) gave out all the coats and requested more / Moncton ( Reconnect) gave out three and still have two, will contact Visions when more are needed.

Nova Scotia - Sydney ( United Protestant Church) gave out all the coats and requested many more, the need is tragic, / Halifax ( Brunswick Street Mission) gave out three and still have two, so they suggested MOSH which is street nursing and the nurses really want to use them so we sent 6 as a trail.

Prince Edward Island - Summerside ( Summerside United Church) they received three and still have one left/ Charlottetown (Salvation Army) they did not use them so we collected 4 of the 5 and have them in Moncton.

We recently ordered another 10 coats to start the second year (2017 winter). Again we will monitor this and report in the spring. We still have money in the Coats of Care account.

Our supplier is The Empowerment Plan in Detroit, they are great to work with and we continue to enjoy this partnership. You many be interested to know they have provided 23 jobs for homeless women and their families, all now are able to provide housing and food for their children.

Thank you for your continued support, this is an important project for those in need.