Lets do something more for Christmas

[Grace Eitzenberger]

So, Christmas time is just around the corner. I know for my family, things get started the day after Thanksgiving - we go out to get a tree, start decorating the house, play some old fashioned Christmas music, etc. I really love this season for so many reasons, as I'm sure you all do too! I love the sense of family, friendship, joy, thankfulness, and the reminder that "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son." (John 3:16)

Everyone's seen "A Charlie Brown Christmas," right? Well, we all know the scene where Linus tells Charlie Brown what Christmas is all about, but a less noticed scene is when Charlie Brown checks his mailbox, only to find that no one has sent him anything.
"Rats. Nobody sent me a Christmas card today. I almost wish there weren't a holiday season. I know nobody likes me. Why do we have to have a holiday season to emphasize it?"


So, I have an idea. I think that Christmas can be a kind of distracting season. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in what's under the tree, what we're getting who, big family dinners, Christmas cookies, music, etc. that we forget about those who have no one. The ones that seem to really get forgotten are the homeless in our country. It seems that people will give up any other time to go and feed the homeless or visit with them, but won't give up "their Christmas."
I think this year, and hopefully many years after, we should give up some of "our Christmas" to go and visit. For when you have no one, the holidays are good at emphasizing it. So lets take some time out of our day, just a few hours, to bring those who are cold and alone downtown a hot meal and a good dose of love.

I know that a lot of you live outside of the Jacksonville area and won't be here for Christmas, but that doesn't mean you can't help! We could use donations of any kind. What we'll really need is funds for food and coffee to start. I would really also like to be able to give them blankets, because they are sleeping outside, and even though we live in Florida, it gets cold at night.

Please let me know what you think, and if you can help!!

If anyone wants to get together and talk about it with me, send me an email and we'll figure out a time!

[Geri]

Great idea. One thought- a lot of organizations reach out and help the homeless and other marginalized groups at Christmas. But then they are largely forgotten the rest of the year. What could we do to be the church to them all year long?
Also a question - Are you partnering with another organization to do this?

[Grace Eitzenberger]

Geri, this is just the beginning. I would really like to make this a year round homeless ministry.
And, no I'm not partnering with any organization - I just thought of this during midnight bible study last night. So I thought I'd share!

[Nick Baker]

I agree with Geri, and think we should find some information on those groups to make this idea so much easier to happen. Giving an idea on where to start will help get rid of some of the excuses people can have for not helping. I have come to dislike the mentality that surrounds the Christmas holiday and always wanted to make it into something better, something more celebratory of Christ, and I think this is a great place to start. Let's talk and see what we can do to help to the those who have very little if anything this year.

[Grace Eitzenberger]

Awesome! Thank you for your eagerness to help!! We'll definitely need to talk.

[Nick Baker]

I will probably talk to you next access but I got together a list of homeless shelters and stuff like the in town.

[Kelsey Linduff]

Grace is this going to be your cause for 2009? Either way, I'm excited to see what God is doing in you!

[Geoff W]

You already know that I'm gonna try and fund raise for you a bit this weekend, so yeah... I hope I can make a decent amount off of this one GA player who's stopping by. XD

[Joey Rodil]

Grace! That's awesome.

[Michael Anderson]

i am going to talk to the homeless shelter down town tomorow for some thing else that i am doing. illl ask..


and also for some of the kids who aree living inside these shelters if they are living in there. On the friday after thanksgiving. people are going to be out side town center waiting to buy cheap stuff for christmas.... on sales... could we maybe get a group together and wait inthe lines and maybe buy some stuff for them? kids electronic games? anyways

[Geri]

Hey what about Trinity Rescue Mission? My friend is in there right now, so she might be able to connect us with some of the needs from the inside perspective....I know I have seen the food thing first hand, and the quality definitely leaves something to be desired, from what I have seen. But they work off of food donations, and people do not donate expensive, quality/healthy foods.

[Kyle Lane]

Great idea Grace!

[Jackie Tatje]

Grace, I love your heart! I want to help too. There are some homeless people who live outside of my apartment complex and it really bothers me. I want to do something for them, but I feel like I can't because it wouldn't be safe. I want to take them blankets and food, and maybe take them to a healthy restraunt for a hot meal. You know those fleece blankets that are really easy to make? We could do maybe put together some of those. I am excited to see so many other people interested too. Together, we can make this happen!