Christmas 2022:
Gifts for those in Transitional Housing.
In 2022, as we looked forward to the birth of Christ, we were also preparing to celebrate this wonderful season with family and friends.
Have you ever thought about what it like for those who are homeless? Thanks to SsAM’s affiliation with Friendship House (FH), we are able to provide support to those in Wilmington who have found transitional housing through FH and through its daytime centers.
During November, 2022, the Community Advocacy Committee organized our annual Undee Sunday. Eudel Drain and Dariel Janerette worked with Foreman Mills to obtain over $1,000 worth of long underwear and socks. These were given to the Delaware Clothing Bank, another FH project.
In preparation for Christmas, members of SsAM donated gift cards and monetary contributions so we were able to give $75 gift cards and pairs of cheery Christmas socks to the 24 women who live in the five transitional housing units. In additional, individual church members adopted eight children, who each received 3-4 gifts.
Shawn Helmick, the coordinator of women’s transitional housing, said, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. There are a least two of my women who have never ever had a Christmas or a present. One lady’s mother was so abusive, she would wrap empty boxes and make her daughter open them to be cruel. This stops this year thanks to kind people like you and your Parish!!”
On behalf the Community Advocacy Committee (which is always looking for new members), thank you for your continued support.
—Alice Smith, Committee Chair
A Christmas Story from 2021
In 2021, a member of SsAM was inspired by Canon Casson’s sermon and adopted a Friendship House family. Here is what the SsAM member wrote.
“I want to thank all of you for connecting me with the family. I reached the mother this morning and she said that she and her grandchild cried all through the night because they wouldn’t have a Christmas. I assured them that I would help change that. This afternoon I delivered ShopRite and Target gift cards to her. She was so grateful. The family should have a very good Christmas.”
We are sure you will agree with Friendship House’s Tim Keeler’s response, “What a great story! That’s what Christmas is all about!!”
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