There is a very special homeless shelter in Jackson called the Wingard Home.

A couple, Roy and Charlotte Wingard started it years ago in downtown Jackson. They have literally opened their home to house homeless families, single mothers with kids, and people who need a helping hand.

The house has an industrial kitchen, and dormitory-style bedrooms, and is a safe haven for those who need a second chance at life.

Charlotte was recently widowed after her husband got sick. She is still an angel and an answer to prayer for many families in the metro.

How You Can Help:

Wingard Home has a little lamb Christmas tree set up at the Madison Walmart with children that they are sponsoring for Christmas.

The tree is sitting at the grocery entrance of Walmart.

The children range from ages 0-15 years old. Their parent or guardian must be working, going to school while working, or retired or disabled grandparents for them to qualify.

The ministry interviews each family who applies for help and prayerfully considers each circumstance. Often circumstances are like a spouse leaving or going to prison, abandonment, fire, loss of job, or medical emergencies.k

After interviewing, the ministry visits each child and caregiver in their home to determine their needs and gather their wishes. The wishes and needs are written on the lamb-shaped cards placed on the Christmas tree at the Madison Walmart.

Without the community stepping up to buy gifts for these children, many of them may not receive any gifts at all.

Please consider stopping by the Walmart in Madison and adopting a lamb off the tree by the entrance! You could change someone’s life just by doing this small kind act.

If you are out of town and want to donate money to sponsor a child, you can contact Charlotte at 601-906-1976.

The deadline to get gifts to Wingard Home is December 15th. Just ten days away!

The gifts will be given to the children at the Happy Birthday, Jesus Festival that the ministry holds each year. This will be the 33rd year holding this festival for the community.

Consider being a blessing, and remember the reason for the season this year at Christmas! This ministry does so much for the community.

33rd Annual Happy Birthday Jesus, Festival:

WHEN? Saturday December 17th 3-5 p.m

WHERE? Mississippi Trade Mart in Jackson

The ministry holds this yearly festival to distribute the lamb gifts collected for each sponsored child.

The festival is a tool for the ministry to share Jesus and evangelize. They give out gifts to the children and families and share the gospel of Jesus with the families and children.

How you can help:

If you are interested in setting up a booth at the festival, please contact Charlotte! The ministry is in need of a few more booths with fun activities such as face painting, ring toss, animal petting area, live nativity scene, etc.

Volunteers are also needed to set up game booths on the morning of December 17th. All booths must be set up by 1:00 p.m.

You can read more about the festival and how you can serve by clicking the link below!