From the Desk of Dan Doty
The vast majority of those reading this issue of The Light always look forward with great excitement to the holidays (except for possibly the crowds, the commercialism, etc.). Or, if you've suffered the loss of a family member, this season may be very difficult or painful.
"Painful" may be a good word to describe how many of the homeless and poor feel during Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. Let me try to describe a few scenarios we see each year.
- A poor family with only one wage earner (who is usually not earning a livable wage) often can’t have a real Thanksgiving or Christmas. There just isn't enough money to do anything extra.
- Other families will do without some essential (like heat or a car repair) to find the money to make the holidays special.
- Families in our shelter feel very mixed emotions. They are so thankful to have a safe and warm place for their family, but they long to be in their own apartment or home and have a "normal" life.
- Many of the homeless men in our shelter are husbands and dads. Though they may have made some really bad choices in the past, many long to be the husbands and fathers God created them to be. The holidays are very difficult for them, yet they have renewed hope that with God's help, they can see their lives restored.
What an opportunity we have during the holiday time to tell these men and women about God's greatest gift: Jesus! You, too, can help bless them by selecting a gift of two from our Christmas Gift Book (see page 9).
I also want to encourage you to participate with us in our Celebrate Hope campaign. This past fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, was financially difficult. Please help us make our budget, which began on Oct. 1 of this year, so we have the resources we need to do what God has called us to do. Thank you and God bless you during this wonderful time of the year.
Merry Christmas,
Rev. Daniel J. Doty
Executive Director
