A Bit of History:
The Jewish Community began this tradition many years ago, the thought being that our Christian brothers and sisters were thoroughly engaged with their families on this traditionally family-oriented, gift-giving, feast-full day. It was an easy, natural, joyous gift on the part of our community to provide for those with the greatest need on Christmas Day, since this is not a day that is part of the Jewish tradition. A home-cooked turkey dinner, with all the fixings, was where it all began.
Thirteen years ago, Naomi Blakely and Sheri Eibschutz took over the responsibility for this event as co-chairs, and decided to increase the bounty, from a simple home-cooked meal to a dinner where our guests would leave with gifts, having enjoyed a bit of entertainment, as well. The Grange Hall served us adequately for 5 or 6 years, until their requirement for hall rental exceeded our budget, which was zero. The OddFellows stepped right up and offered the use of their hall, which is our current location, and one for which we are extremely grateful.
The meal is still home-cooked by various members of the community at large, in no way limited to any one religious persuasion. It is now augmented with bread from San Luis Sourdough, pies from Apple Farm and Marie Callender’s, egg nog from Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab, and transportation is provided to the event from the homeless shelter courtesy of Ride-On’s van. The trash and recycles are picked up through the additional support of San Luis Garbage.
Once there, our guests are entertained by Billy Foppiano and his pick-up group of local, fabulous musicians. They are then treated to world class Irish dancing, by performers from the Claddagh School of Irish Dance.
They are then led outside, to a covered tent (through the kindness of Sierra Vista Hospital) to receive their gifts: a sleeping bag, a warm, heavy duty jacket, tee-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, underwear, and a personal kit of toiletries. We have also been able to gift them with rain ponchos and umbrellas, through the generosity of the community and by word of mouth. San Luis Camp n Pack has been our angel, giving us prices that make these gifts affordable.
The coats are surplus, when possible, and newly purchased when surplus is not available. They are heavy duty, mid-thigh length warm, ruck-sack like jackets. Last year, one of our guests was overcome with the delicious meal and generosity, and lay down, under the overhang behind the hall, to cuddle up in his jacket and sleeping bag, happier than he could remember being.
Several years back, Stephan Lamb, Cal Poly’s Associate Director of Student Life and Leadership, encouraged us to involve the younger generation in this endeavor. The AmeriCorps volunteers now assist us with organizing, making phone calls, and assisting with logistics, such as contacting businesses for donations and encouraging student involvement, in addition to whatever other tasks we think of, which they undertake happily and willingly.
We are blessed beyond measure to live in such a warm and giving community, and are filled with pride and gratitude to be a part of this very special event!
EMAIL NAOMI BLAKELY IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE A COAT: dn@dbnb.us
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