By Nicola Porto
Collaboration Project Director of Engagement

For weeks this past fall, I walked past a small bin in the lobby of Redeemer City church where warm winter clothing items were being collected. I thought that was the extent church donations to the Verona Area School District (VASD) Warm Winters event.

I had recently started serving as the Community Partnerships volunteer for Redeemer City, but as time went on, I realized how little I knew about this annual event. And when I arrived on Nov. 8 to help load in donations, I found out that this was being done in partnership with another local church—Sugar River United Methodist Church in Verona.

I felt like I had just walked into a Collaboration Project story. 

The number of bags filled with jackets, boots, snow pants, and more blew me away. That morning, I worked alongside a few rockstar volunteers from Sugar River as we sorted through donations. It was an honor to hear about the volunteers’ lives and learn different ways their church serves Verona with compassion and generosity. 

For example, Sugar River hosts and maintains a community closet that is always open to VASD social workers and families. I had no idea this program existed and was so encouraged by the work of this congregation!

Over the course of the week, hundreds of donations were sorted to make it possible for 154 Verona Area families to pick up warm winter clothing. During pick-up, several VASD Social Workers were present to welcome families and guide them through the donations. These social workers knew their students’ families well and treated them like family. It was a privilege to set up the space and then step back to allow for this good work to take place.

I look forward to continuing to build relationships with Sugar River and VASD, because I know the work we can do together is so much greater. I’m grateful to have walked into a Collaboration Project story, showcasing a story of collaboration to celebrate and accelerate further good in Dane County.

In the news

Verona Press
Time of giving: Four collection drives around Verona served community

We invite you to partner with us in telling stories that highlight how God is working in and through the local church by supporting Collaboration Project today.