Community
Serving our Neighbors
The "ABC's" of Serve at Suntree
We have so many different community partners that we work with! Use the button to access a comprehensive list of all of our partners, a short description of each organization, and how you can get involved.
Our Mission Partner of the Month is:
Youth Missions
The Mission of the Month for March is our very own Youth Missions! This year, students can go on two mission trips to serve in Key West, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia. Suntree Youth will also serve alongside other youth ministry groups to serve our community during Brevard Mission Week. Your support for Youth Missions enables these students to transform their lives by seeing God at work in the world through acts of service. You can support the work of Suntree’s Youth Ministry by attending the Fun ‘N The Sun Dinner on Friday, March 29, making a gift through the Mission Boxes in our worship spaces, or by giving online at SuntreeUMC.org/Give and choosing “Youth Missions” from the dropdown menu.
Family Promise of Brevard
We are hosting families from Family Promise of Brevard in March! Between Sunday, April 6 and April 13, families will stay overnight on our campus, and we need wonderful servants to help make this week a success. If you would like to support these families in need by serving dinner or staying overnight, please sign up using the button below!
BRIGHT
Shine Bright for Justice!
Suntree is a proud partner of the BRIGHT (Brevard Righteously Igniting Good Hope Today) Network!
BRIGHT is a 501(c)3 community organization made up of congregations across Brevard County. While our congregations differ in terms of theology, race, socio-economic status, and location, we are united in our Biblical call to do justice. Unlike direct service agencies or mercy ministries, BRIGHT does not work to address the immediate needs of individuals. Instead, BRIGHT is a direct action organization made up of justice ministries that work together to address the root cause of community problems by using the power of organized people to hold public leaders accountable for fair and just policy.
The two current areas of focus for this year are: Affordable Housing and Increasing Reading Achievement.
Upcoming BRIGHT Events:
- Nehemiah Action Assembly | Tuesday, April 1st | 6pm | Suntree UMC's Sanctuary. At this Assembly, justice ministries from across Brevard County will gather at Suntree UMC to challenge our elected officials to make needed policy changes. We'll hear personal testimonies and research about the lack of affordable housing, and we'll ask our elected officials to take common sense steps toward addressing this critical issue. Additionally, we'll hear important updates on our progress improving reading achievement in Brevard Public Schools. Bring your friends and neighbors! We need people power to show our leaders that addressing these issues is critical for a just and thriving community in Brevard County!
You can learn more about BRIGHT by visiting: BrightBrevard.com
Our Community Partner Organizations
Blue Sky Community Garden
Blue Sky Community Garden grows food to be shared with the community. Produce is given to local soup kitchens. For the fall growing season, we need volunteers on Saturdays from 8:30 AM- 12:00 PM.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueskycommunitygarden/
More Info Contact: Karen Shea < >
Family Partnerships of Central Florida (foster care)
We really need your help to keep our closet full of diapers of all sizes, wipes, and duffel bags. Some popular sizes of diapers requested are “Goodnites” (Small, Medium, and Large) and “Pull-ups” in all of the toddler sizes. Newborn, sizes 1, 2, 3, and 4 are also needed.
We offer (new or like new) duffel bags to foster parents so that when their foster child(ren) is being reunited with their family, the child has a bag to pack all of their belongings to take home.
Donations are accepted in the front office.
Website: https://fpocf.org/
More Info Contact: Jenny Murdock ( )
Brevard Rescue Mission
Website: brevardrescuemission.org
More Info Contact:
Cocoa Champions
Interested in serving and mentoring the next generation? The Cocoa Champion is an Elevate Brevard pilot program at Cocoa High School, developed in partnership with Brevard Public Schools and other community leaders, to mentor and incentivize seniors to pursue a postsecondary credential after graduation. The project seeks to increase career aspirations and college enrollment rates for Cocoa High seniors. The vision is to create a future where all youth have access to an educational pathway beyond high school.
Commitment & Requirements for Mentors:
- 2 - 4 hours per month
- BPS Fingerprinting and background check.
- Short Training
Daily Bread
We serve on the first Wednesday of every month (adults 18 and up only, please). Sign up to serve meals!
Website: www.dailybreadinc.org
More Info Contact:
Devereux
Website: www.devereux.org
More Info Contact:
Family Promise of Brevard
The goal of Family Promise of Brevard is to address homelessness in our community with the goal of making family homelessness brief, rare and non-recurring. SUMC welcomes families quarterly for a week, with food, lodging, conversation and fellowship.
The “Family Promise” is to empower families experiencing a housing emergency to create a path toward stable, long-term housing and provide peace and security along the journey.
More Info Contact: Chris Yarbrough ( )
Gifts from the Heart
This is the Christmas outreach of several nonprofit care organizations in Brevard County. Families affected by poverty can select brand new, quality gifts for their children at greatly reduced prices. This process restores some dignity and gives parents agency to thoughtfully provide a Christmas experience for their children. You can bring your unwrapped, brand new children's gifts to Suntree on November 21 and November 28. Here are registries for gifts that can be sent straight to their facility: Amazon, Walmart and Target . (If you shop online for GFTH, please let us know!)
Website: http://www.giftsfromtheheartshop.org/
More Info Contact:
Harbor City Elementary School
Through our Church/School Partnership with Harbor City Elementary School, volunteers work with the school administration to provide support, supplies and assistance to teachers.
Website: https://www.brevardschools.org/HarborCityES
You can also help by signing up to decorate the Harbor City Elementary's Teacher Lounge the first week of the month.
More Info contact:
Hope Builders
Provides support to raise single parents out of the poverty cycle through long-term mentorship and help through spiritual, emotional, physical, educational and financial challenges.
Habitat for Humanity
Website: www.brevardhabitat.com
More Info Contact:
Hymnstirs
More Info Contact: Brad Shea ( )
Injoy Thrift Store
Website: injoythrift.com
More Info Contact:
Neighbor Up Brevard
Website: www.neighborupbrevard.org
More Info Contact:
One Blood
One Blood conducts regular blood drives on our campus throughout the year.
Sign up here to make a donation appointment
All donors will receive a OneBlood long sleeve T-shirt and a $20 eGift Card! Plus, a wellness checkup including blood pressure, temperature, iron count, pulse and cholesterol screening!
Website: https://www.oneblood.org/
More info contact:
Salvation Army Women's Domestic Violence Center
Website: https://thesalvationarmymelbourne.wordpress.com/locations/
Small Beginning Ministry
https://www.facebook.com/smallbeginningsfeedingministry/
More Info Contact:
Suntree Stars & Stripes
Our annual cookout and music celebration of the Independence Day holiday. Free food and children’s activities in the afternoon; musical concerts in the evening.
Thanksgiving Missions Baskets
Each Thanksgiving, Suntree UMC provides all the items for Thanksgiving Dinner for deserving families in our area.
This is an extraordinary opportunity for the entire SUMC family to help our neighbors! We are asking for food and cash donations at the beginning of November.
You can donate to this by typing "Thanksgiving basket" in the memo line of your online giving.
Sign up here to serve throughout November with this ministry!