Milandila, a local nonprofit headquartered in Elizabethtown, will host a Christmas Fundraising Party on Thursday, Dec. 19, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Ironstone Ranch at Stone Gables Estate, 1 Hollinger Lane, Elizabethtown. The event is free of charge.

Attendees may enjoy Christmas cookies and hot chocolate, a Christmas carol sing-along, and a Christmas photo opportunity. Pulled pork or pulled chicken sandwiches, a side dish, chips, and a drink will be available to purchase, as well as chances to win giveaway drawing baskets and handcrafted Ugandan items. All proceeds will directly benefit the event's designated mission. To make reservations for dinner items, contact Stephanie at 717-602-7061.

At 6:30 p.m., missionaries James and Morgan Tumwesiigye will speak about the work of the Milandila Family Center in Uganda. Milandila was established as a nonprofit in 2019 and gained nongovernmental organization status in 2021. Morgan's time as a labor and delivery nurse in Uganda enabled her to witness firsthand the lack of resources and poor education that resulted in poor outcomes for mothers and infants. The Family Center was opened to bridge the gap and meet the needs of pregnant women living in the Luwero District. The Family Center's aim is to offer compassionate care and community-building to pregnant and postpartum mothers through medical, lactation, and life-skills educational classes; prenatal and postnatal care; and free resources.

The Family Center staff walks closely with each Ugandan woman throughout her pregnancy and postpartum period. The majority of women who attend the Family Center programs are teenage girls, Muslim women, or single mothers.

Milandila is a word adopted from the Baganda tribe in Uganda. It means root, foundation, or the beginning of something. Milandila Community Missions is rooted in the Gospel of Jesus. Through relational evangelism and discipleship, Milandila presents the Gospel through conversation, counseling, and discussion-based Bible teaching.

The pregnancy program currently serves more than 100 mothers. One example of a life changed by Christ is Johanna. Abandoned by her baby's father, without work or resources, she chose to have her baby. Through Milandila, she received assistance with her pregnancy and learned about Jesus.

Pastor Dave Havener from Elizabethtown Alliance Church will challenge attendees to engage in Milandila's Great Commission efforts by giving toward a $120,000 expansion that will enable the organization to reach hundreds more Ugandan families. Pastor Don Hunt of Community Bible Church in Marietta will share his firsthand experience traveling on one of the many mission trips offered through Milandila each year.

A holiday dessert auction, hosted by auctioneer Dave Conley of Rentzel's Auctions in Mount Wolf, will be held at 7 p.m. Attendees may bid on dozens of assorted pies, cakes, cookie platters, pumpkin rolls, cinnamon buns, and cheesecakes to benefit the organization's expansion efforts.

Due to multiple events being hosted at Stone Gables Estate, attendees must follow special arrival times and parking instructions. Those arriving before 5 p.m. may enter at 1 Hollinger Lane and park in the red stone lot at the top of the Ironstone Ranch. Those planning to arrive after 5 p.m. must enter the property at 1160 N. Market St., Elizabethtown, and leave extra time to drive through the Christmas light show. Guests are encouraged to arrive before 6 p.m. to enjoy the Family Center presentation and auction events.

Readers can learn more about Milandila's efforts at http://www.milandila.org or contact Shannon Medich, Milandila's director of partnership development, at smedich@milandila.org or 717-514-4356. Those who cannot attend but would like to donate to Milandila may do so at https://onrealm.org/cbcpa/-/form/give/now and select "Tumwesiigye, Family Center" from the dropdown menu.