Coggin Avenue Baptist Church’s Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) made a very unusual donation to The ARK on Wednesday, July 13th.  The children each brought a birthday party gift bag. Inside the bags were all the ingredients for a wonderful birthday party, including a cake mix, frosting, a cake pan, balloons, candles, wrapping paper, matching novelty paper plates and cups and napkins, bubbles, and little gifts. The birthday-in-a-gift bags are meant to be given to the parent or an advocate of a child of a victim of domestic violence that might have a birthday during the time that they were staying at the ARK.

MOPS is an organization that encourages, equips, and develops mothers of preschoolers (Birth – Kindergarten) to realize her potential as a woman, mother, and leader. MOPS is about celebrating motherhood, meeting needs, making connections, experiencing God’s love, and establishing relationships.

The kids filled the lobby of the administration office, gladly handing over the bags.  They all agreed that every child should have a party on their birthday.  The kids didn’t go home empty handed, though.  Each child was given a bracelet from the ARK that said “Stop Bullying!” and some small tops and toys from The ARK’s closet of give-a-ways.

The ARK Domestic Violence Shelter (The ARK) provides a safe place for victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and their families from three counties: Brown, Coleman and Comanche. For more information about The ARK or the services provided by The ARK, please contact the ARK at 325-643-2699 or visit www.arkshelter.org.

Pictured above:   Coggin Avenue Baptist Church’s MOPS’ kids and their moms present Executive Director Terri Densman with a dozen “Party in a Bag” gift bags for kids living at The ARK Domestic Violence Shelter.