“When I joined Westwood UMC over 30 years ago, I wasn’t able to participate much in the whole church activities, because I had two young children. As they grew and became more of a part of the church, so did I. I honestly don’t remember when I started helping at Scattered for Service. I know that once I joined the planning group, I was hooked. It would give me my need for community and let me have fun as well. Of course, Ellen Evans Agee would never have let me stop once I started! This activity deepened our friendship and I thank God for that. I don’t think I even understood what Fair Trade means — that the artisans are making a fair wage and have a say in their work. I also had not ever participated in an alternative giving experience. It was just so satisfying to be able to spread the news about alternative giving. I know that my family were a bit surprised to find a gift wrapped from Doug and I, that enclosed a card telling them of the gift someone else was getting in their name. They did learn to love it though, and wondered which organization was receiving their gift this year. It has been a blessing.”