Christmas Blessings

A week of Christmas events is now behind us; hundreds of men, women, and children have been blessed with meals and gifts . . . and the smiles and a touch from our donors and volunteers. It’s amazing how Christmas provides impetus for people to give, and give, and give . . .

As co-sponsor of the Christmas Gift Store at the 1st Congregational Church, the Mission joined forces with Better Balance for Long Beach, Long Beach First Lady Nancy Foster, and a band of volunteer elves in providing 500 families an opportunity to “buy” gifts for their kids, siblings, and parents.

Two years ago we separated the Mission’s Stocking Gift program from the meal event as both the growing number of people volunteering and those coming for meals and gifts were too much to handle at one time. We then split our Thanksgiving and Christmas meals into two-day events (mostly to accommodate more opportunities for our growing number of volunteers) which bless hundreds more people. We even have to employ a volunteer coordinator to facilitate the hundreds of people who desire to help at each event. She has a tough time getting volunteers to come for just a one-hour shift, as their heart’s desire is to spend all day at the Mission.

Local companies and community leaders call, seeking an opportunity to volunteer at our gift and meal events – to give to the less fortunate, the disadvantaged, and the homeless. It is a bit stressful to attempt to accommodate every request, and my mind was tired as I tried to think of how to honor a request from our local bank CEO. We had already filled all the volunteer shifts at our Stocking Giveaway, our two-day meal events, had each family covered in our Lydia House shelter for women and children . . . what else could we offer? I thought of someone who had recently asked about how we measure success and remembered that we DO have success stories – those who we are able to help reconcile back into society. We were able to contact six single mother families – alumnae of Lydia House – and have them come and receive gifts and dinner that were supplied by the CEO’s children. It was nice to see such leadership in a bank executive with his children as he helped them see what giving back really means – up close and personal.

We were in the midst of our Christmas Eve-eve dinner meal Tuesday when a 27 foot U-Haul drove up to our rear gate. It was loaded with pallets of turkeys, meats, and dry goods. I was almost speechless. Our food service director wasn’t though – he said that this was the largest single donation in his 22 years at the Mission. A company executive had heard about the Mission from his attorney and he rented the truck to fill it with needed items that will serve us well into 2009. This was like the proverbial “icing on the cake” to a holiday season full of giving and blessings from our supporters.

With all that now finished, at my dining room table over some oatmeal this morning I was watching the waves splashing over the breakwater and saw how that controversial wall of rocks provides a calm harbor for cargo ships, sailboats, oil islands, and protects our shoreline from the often tumultuous waves. That's a good picture of what we provide to the street weary men and women and at-risk families through our facilities, services and programs. That is what all those volunteers and donors provide to those coming through our doors . . . a safe harbor to rest and refresh from the cold, wet, and sometimes harsh human element of the street-life; a calm environment in which to consider the possibility and gift of a changed life.

Amanda (my eldest daughter), who helps run the Winter Shelter just called asking if she can order a bunch of pizzas for the 75 or so homeless taking refuge there during this rainy Christmas day. She's like that – wanting to give a little more than expected. My youngest daughter, Molly, interrupted my blogging to ask if we can light up the fireplace. I think a fire and a warm cup of cocoa would be nice right now.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and those least among us.
God Bless you & Merry Christmas!