2. Christmas in August Helping Missionaries Reach Out to Their Communities

3. The first Christmas in August ® was a project of the Sunbeam Band of the First Baptist Church of Charlottesville, Virginia. The year: 1927!

4. The first gifts were sent to missionaries in China.

5. In 1937 the gifts were lost in the mail. So, it was decided to send the gifts to missionaries in the US, instead.

6. Your church can participate, too. Here’s how!

7. Choose a missionary from the list provided by the North American Mission Board and WMU ®. (Visit namb.net/christmas for a complete list.)

8. Share the needs of the missionary with your church. Collect the needed items throughout the month of August.

9. At the end of the month, sort and pack the gifts. DO NOT WRAP THE GIFTS! Send only the items requested.

10. Mail the boxes to the missionary. Include a self- addressed, stamped postcard. The missionary will return the card to let you know your gift was received.

11. Make a difference! Participate in Christmas in August!