Spreading Holiday Cheer

Sure, I have donated multiple times to shelters and organizations for the holidays but never have I ever had the opportunity to deliver the gifts and see the faces of the recipients… until this year. It was the most heartwarming experience- to see a group of people bringing together their resources (which aren’t plentiful to begin with) so that strangers can have something to open on Christmas morning.

For the holidays, the AmeriCorps Partnership to End Homelessness adopted a family. The family we adopted was a friend of one of our members- the mother has lupus, cancer, and an aneurism. While struggling with her health concerns, she also has a large family including twin 4 year old boys, an 8 year old girl, and an 18 year old daughter who has a 2 year old of her own. They have been in a shelter the past year until two weeks before Christmas - Greensboro Urban Ministry's Pathways shelter helped them get permanent housing just in time for the holidays.

AmeriCorps members and staff, from l to r: Ime, Amber, Jonathan, Ruth, Juanita, Nardya, Malisha, Holly, and Todd

When the three carloads of gifts arrived at the family’s home, everyone’s mouth dropped. The children gave each of us a hug before we even brought in the first gift because they knew what we were there for. The appreciation on the mother’s face was so apparent and beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes multiple times. The kids were obviously excited, and like I said knew what we were there for, but they did not know the extent of just what was going on. The feeling of doing something for someone you have never met before and they can never repay you is the most amazing feeling.

Neighbors came out to see what was going on and I honestly started to feel a little uncomfortable. Here we are showering this one family with an abundant amount of gifts yet every other person around the neighborhood was in some sort of need of assistance too. That was by far the hardest part for me but just because you can’t help everyone, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t help anyone. I think we as people forget that sometimes. Every little bit helps, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, and even if you don’t get thanked for it… it helped!​

WOW!

We didn't do this alone. It wasn't just our AmeriCorps program that brought tears to the mother's eyes, or made the 8 year old (Miracle) give out hugs. The employees of Kohl's on Wendover, Central Carolina Air Conditioning, the Pavilion Restaurant, and many individual friends and family members connected to our group donated to help "our" family. It made this experience even more meaningful knowing that this family was loved and supported by those in our community they would never even meet.

 

One donor in particular stands out. Hunter is the son of Nikki, an employee of Central Carolina Air Conditioning. When he heard about the family, he wanted to make a donation of his own. He gave his game system and all of his games to them. He also included his own money and a really sweet card. We made sure to put his gift aside to show the family at the end, so they knew who is was from. They agreed that Hunter must be an awesome kid to care so much and be willing to give up his own stuff for another kid's happiness.

Thank you to everyone who contributed and continues to support the work we do! We love our community!