In Charles Dickens’ classic, “A Christmas Carol,” he describes the holiday as “a time, of all the others, when want is keenly felt, and abundance rejoices.” Ebenezer Scrooge, of course, rejects the idea of giving – but Tallahassee is seeing quite a lot of it.
“We partner in helping our families in the community,” said Elder Ivy of the Sowing Seeds – Sewing Comfort Ministry. “And this morning Sister Bevis is bringing over –
“– all the gifts that our members donated,” said Pat Bevis of Trinity United Methodist Church. “So, Elder Ivy put together a list for us of people in her community that needed a little help to have Christmas presents for young people this year.”
Bevis is unloading a vanload of wrapped gifts from her congregation for Elder Ivy. “They brought all these pretty gifts you’re seeing, ready to be distributed back through Elder Ivy’s organization,” she said.
“And we will be distributing these gifts to the Congolese families that live in the community,” said Elder Ivy.
A partnership of long standing is the Catholic Charities’ Christmas Connection, now in its 44th year. The program serves people who are referred by the 40 social service agencies who work with them. Last year they served 700 families in six counties across the Big Bend.
Florida State University lent the Christmas Connection its building on South Bronough, and the City of Tallahassee blocked off a lane so cars could pull up with donations.
“Not too long ago, you saw somebody roll in here with about 10 bicycles,” said Coordinator Pattie Malarney, who loves to talk about the community’s generosity. “We actually have a group from Florida State University, and it is our Panhellenic Society or Panhellenic group. It is fraternities and sororities. And each year, they provide a substantial amount of donations so we can purchase about 30 bikes.”
At Florida A&M University, the Tallahassee-based business Indelible Solutions recently held “Holiday on the Hill” – with live music, photos with Santa, and free toys and clothing. They also had a resource fair with more than 2 dozen human services booths, where you could get a free haircut or a free health screening.
FAMU Alum Mikhail Scott is the president of Indelible Solutions' charitable foundation.
"I think what makes us so special is the fact that we have an understanding of these communities,” he said. “A lot of times, government initiatives are for the underserved or communities that have been devastated after disasters. And so, since we have a lot of lived experience and experts that come from that field, and also a lot of individuals that might not be that far removed from those circumstances, it really helps to better understand and connect and understand the culture of the people that we're trying to help."
At the Kearney Center, the emergency homeless shelter for six counties of the Big Bend, Executive Director Sonya Wilson says they’re doing their best to celebrate the season.
“We’re trying to make it a little bit more uplifting,” she said. “So, we’re doing things in the dining room, incorporating a little more music and flowers on the table to help uplift the clients.”
Wilson says right now, there are just under 400 people at the shelter each night, with the recent cold weather.
“And we are in desperate need of just basic hygiene items – sheets, towels, blankets, deodorant, toothpaste – just the basic necessities,” she said. “And not only do we serve our clients here; we have a shuttle, so we also have an outreach team that goes into the camps.”
Almost all non-profits will say they need donations, volunteers and cash all year round, not just at Thanksgiving and Christmas. And that’s true. But during the holidays, people are far less apt to reply, “Bah! Humbug!”
