Natalie's Everyday Heroes: Kenosha church donates gifts to celebrate 100th birthday

KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The First Presbyterian Church of Kenosha is marking a major milestone this year. 

The church turned 100 back in March.

To celebrate that big birthday, the congregation is giving gifts to the Kenosha community. 

Each month, they're collecting 100 items for different local nonprofits.

"It almost becomes a little bit of a competition," explained Becky Henn, church member and volunteer.

Since this past April, members of the church have been aiming to collect 100 items each month. 

"We're not saying no when we hit 100," said Shari Infante, who along with Henn, is heading up the project.

They are then donating everything that's collected to local nonprofits. 

"I think it's just created an enthusiasm and a sense of togetherness," Henn said.

Infante and Henn are organizing what they're calling "Gifts of 100" as a way to celebrate the church's 100th anniversary.

"What could we do? Could we give to something? And this other idea came out of that," Infante said.

They started in April, with pillows for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization providing beds for kids that don't have one. 

"So, we put a call out for, you know, can we get 100 pillows? And they just started coming," Infante said.

"Mmmhmm, they sure did," Henn emphasized.

They gathered shower supplies for the Shalom Center. 

"Shower caddy, some flip-flops, and new towels," Infante recalled.

And spaghetti dinners for Kenosha Welcome Center.

"Including sauce, pasta, cheese, breadsticks," said Henn.

August's drive collected feminine products to fight period poverty, which affects girls and women who can't afford them.

"People have to miss school," Infante said. "They have to miss work because of this."

So far, each month has exceeded their goal. 

"They've stepped up every time. We've far exceeded 100 every time," Infante said of the generosity of the congregation.

Pastor Lance Loveall says the church has always been mission oriented. And the Gifts of 100 are no exception. 

"I learned about it like I learn most things in this church. Somebody told me, this is what we're going to do. And I said, 'Great! Let's do that,'" Loveall said, with a smile.

Henn says the organizations are grateful for the gifts. 

"They're just thrilled! They just, you know, usually takes two vehicles to haul everything," she said.

The Gifts of 100 project is giving something to the members, too.

"It's a great opportunity for people in the church to learn about things in our own community we don't know anything about," Loveall said.

They're aiming for items that cost between $5 and $20. They also donated memberships to the Boys and Girls Club. 

The next two months are service oriented. Church members are volunteering hours to beautify Kenosha. And they're also working to donate 100 pints of blood.

For more information on the First Presbyterian Church of Kenosha, click here. 

If you'd like to nominate an Everyday Hero, send Natalie a message at [email protected].