By Florence O’Neill
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
The planning for our St. Vincent de Paul Christmas basket program began early in October. All of the families and individuals were interviewed by our members. The families were chosen because of their needs. Many had family members with handicaps or severe medical problems. One hundred and fifty-four families received food, clothing and special gifts for the children. Our “Be An Angel” program saw five schools adopt 70 families. St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Mary’s, St. Dominic and Pope John Paul II schools once more were involved. This year I.E. Weldon Secondary School joined in our program providing Christmas for 26 families. It was a joy to see these wonderful students from all five schools sharing what they had with other families. A perfect example that there are so many great young people in our community. It is a shame we don’t see more positive things about our youth in the media.
One hundred thirty-eight gifts were purchased for our families through the “Giving Tree”. As many of our little ones were in need of snow suits, coats, boots, and warm clothing, I wondered if we were asking for too much from our tree. The weekend of December 18 saw the angel gifts returned, bags filled with all the clothing that we had requested. There are so many little ones going to school this month warm because of your warm generosity.
As we delivered the car loads of food, clothing and gifts, we were greeted with parents who were so grateful for the help and so delighted to know that their families would have a good Christmas. We heard comments that they had never had so much food in their cupboards; that it was the best Christmas ever. Over one-third of our families this year were the working poor.
As always, there are some families that touch you more than words can describe. This year was no different. One home where we delivered Christmas things has a very ill single mom. She had just been discharged from the hospital, was laying on the couch so ill that she had to struggle to sit up. Her little pre-schooler was playing with his toys, very excited that parcels were being brought into their home. Thank God he wasn’t old enough to realize that his mother may not be there for many more Christmases. The look on the face of her pre teen daughter that had been kept home from school to help care for her mother told me she understood. Please pray for this family. Another mom was so delighted that the toy her child received was so bright, for her little one has diabetes and is nearly blind. He isn’t even old enough to go to school yet. All three of her children have health problems. It makes us stop and realize how fortunate we are. The number of our parishioners that gave us donations or adopted a family was amazing. We didn’t have to disappoint any of our families because of the outpouring of Christian love that we witnessed this Christmas.
Volunteers from Bethel Missionary and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian churches helped on packing and delivery day while other non-parishioners were involved by donating and/or adopting families. We also received help with our deliveries from four off-duty paramedics who came with out-of-service ambulances to help with the heavy loads. Thanks to Sarah, Greg, Len and Roger for their help and also to Keith for arranging this.
To all our members, families, friends who offered us so much help, we thank you.
More about St. Vincent de Paul Society here…