Our Christmas Blessing

A few years ago, Nate was invited to bring our family to serve at the St. Vincent de Paul's Homeless Shelter on Christmas day.  Each year, the LDS church has donated steaks for Christmas dinner and Little America graciously prepares them for the Christmas feast (that's how we got in on the party).  Initially, I was hesitant.  Christmas day had always been a protected, private family day.  My littlest was (and still is) very shy and some of the chicks were still quite young and I wasn't sure how they would react to this new environment.  After discussing the pros and cons, we decided to embark on this new Christmas adventure, and it really has become a highlight for our family (except for the shy youngest).  Depending on the year, we set tables, clear tables, and give out donations such as hygiene kits, socks, blankets, clothing, and a few toys.  St. Vincent's mostly serves men, but a few families join in when word gets out that steaks are being served. :)

We love starting out the afternoon being welcomed by our friend, Pamela Atkinson, a wonderful advocate for needy friends in the valley.  A gracious and kind woman, Pamela works tirelessly to provide for countless strangers day after day.

Pamela calls on a volunteer to offer a prayer.  These are some of the good people we pray with:

News cameras like to come because 1. There's not a lot of news on Christmas day and 2. John Huntsman shows up with his family.  They are always looking stylish.  We've loved working with the Larkin family at the bottom.  Spencer is a nephew of our brother-in-law, George, and he and Twig are so awesome with their kids and gather tons of donations.

So here comes the plug!  If you live in south Davis County and are looking for a way to serve your community this Christmas, please consider donating.  I leave a bucket on my front porch through December and you can swing by and drop anything in it.

 If you run to the store and have a couple of extra dollars to spare, the needed items are new warm socks (not cotton), new dark ski hats, new gloves, and especially thermal underwear.  Every year, the thermal underwear is the first to go!  In Utah this December we have already had 2 casualties from hypothermia in Salt Lake City.  Each of these items will help shield a homeless friend from the bitter cold. 

 

This package of socks sells at Walmart for $9.00.

 

These thermal pants sell at Walmart for $8.96.

 

 

This hat is priced between $2.99-$9.00 on Amazon.

 

These insulated gloves are $7.99 online at Cabela's.

 

 

If everyone contributed an item or two, we could make a lot of good folks warm this Christmas! 

Comment with your email address if you need my address for donations.  We will accept donations until Christmas afternoon when we head in to see Pamela and company, but if you live south of Salt Lake City, you can drop off donations to the shelter anytime up until Christmas at 427 W 200 S, SLC(across the way from the Gateway Mall). 

 

 

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

 

I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity to step out of our cozy home and show the true Christmas spirit of giving each year.  Thank you for this blessing, Pamela!

 

 

 

Merry Christmas!