LifeMoves Backpack Drive
In 2022 Foothills participated in LifeMoves Mountain View’s back-to-school backpack drive, assembling 20 backpacks and helping to set up children and youth for success in the new school year. Foothills is proud of our long affiliation with LifeMoves and the innovative facility they have recently constructed in Mountain View. This facility provides approximately 125 people with stable housing, including units designed especially for families. LifeMoves won the Urban Land Institute’s 2022 America’s Award for Excellence, considered one of the real estate industry’s most competitive and prestigious award programs. LifeMoves Mountain View was praised by Governor Gavin Newsom, emphasizing the development as one that needs to be replicated for solving homelessness in California.
Saturday of Service
In 2018, we held our first Saturday of Service. Some 90 church members of all ages gathered their energies, talents and love of people, animals and plants, even for our very first organized day of service. Following a rallying breakfast and benediction in the Parish Hall, volunteers from the church volunteered at seven sites, including Collective Roots, Deer Hollow Farm, Pandemonium and Haven House. A large lively and dedicated crowd based in the Parish Hall assembled bags for female veterans through Operation Care & Comfort, created exquisite cards for shut-ins and our troops overseas, and made cozy fleece blankets for shelter animals.
Youth Service Trip
Every year youth and adults from Foothills go on a Service Trip. Recently our youth have chosen to focus on two main justice issues, housing and the environment. Recent trips have included building housing for the Navajo Nation and community building projects in Smith River, CA. Read more about the Service Trip and see photos from recent years here.
Justice Issues Study Group
The Justice Issues Study Group was formed several years ago to examine the UCC tradition of working for Justice in our society. As a group we aim to become more informed and to act on issues of injustice in our community. Recently forums have been held on Justice issues in the Santa Clara County Courts, laws around the LGBTQ community, homelessness and affordable housing. At present we are delving further into the latter two areas. We plan on developing more Days of Service to provide church members and friends with the chance to better understand the human cost and the human face of unaddressed Justice issues so that they, too, may feel inspired to help solve local problems.
Relay for Life
Foothills joins Relay For Life each year to raise funds for the American Cancer Society (ACS) to support the fight against cancer. We make luminaria – simple white paper bags, decorated and dedicated in memory of someone who has had cancer. In 2022, Foothills Congregational Church raised $7500 for the ACS.
Operation Care & Comfort
Operation Care and Comfort (OCC) is an all volunteer 501(c) (3) organization that provides support and comfort to units of deployed U.S. military service members, serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and other conflict regions. Periodically, Foothills members and friends collect items including hygiene supplies, food, flip flops, holiday cards, newspapers and Halloween candy and then participate in packing the items together to be sent to our troops abroad. Many hands make quick work and you can be sure that our troops appreciate every item they receive.
Day of Donation
From 1962 to 2018 Foothills held an annual rummage sale. Read more about the sale and its many benefits to the community in the Los Altos Town Crier. In 2019, in lieu of the rummage sale, the church held a Day of Donation. Over 11,640 pounds of goods were donated by Foothills members, raising over $1600 for the Mentor Tutoring Connection.
School and Water project in Eregi, Kenya
The Foothills congregation has helped raise and provide funds for efforts in Eregi, Kenya — the birthplace of church member Stanley Imbali. Projects include the purchase of books and educational materials for the Ikhulili Primary School, and the laying of pipe to provide potable water to the village. Click here for more information on these projects.