ach year, since 2008, a “heart-working” team of volunteers has worked to prepare an Advent/Christmas “shopping list” of well-vetted charitable organizations whose work provides hope by meeting practical needs to neighbors near and far away, often in places where meeting basic human needs cannot be taken for granted. You may remember the tagline of this year’s effort: From Help Comes Hope. It is with joy and gratitude that we share here the great good news that responses to the 2023 Alternative Christmas Shop (ACS) giving totaled over $24,000. Beneficiaries include every one of the 21 charities offered. To all who have contributed, to all who shared this opportunity with friends and family, to the spirited volunteers that comprise the ACS planning team, and those that volunteered in the shop on Sunday mornings, our heartfelt thanks.