Sharing Our Strengths

The recent holidays exemplified both the critical needs in our community, and the willingness of so many people to help St. John of God Health Care Services provide for those in need. Because of such an increasing demand for food at our program, Samaritan’s Helping Hand, the food pantry was nearly empty at the beginning of November. With a desperate call to the community for assistance in restocking, many individuals, school groups, churches, and other organizations donated food, money, and other supplies to Samaritan’s. So many wanted to make sure that others less fortunate were taken care of, particularly for the holidays.
Turkeys, hams, and all the fixings for traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners were distributed to families, and given to many churches and other service organizations that prepared meals for shut-ins, seniors, and the very poor. The smell of baking turkeys brought many people to two locations in Phelan and El Mirage, where a group of volunteers served hundreds of adults and children Thanksgiving dinner. It was a rare time for many to sit in fellowship, laugh, and have a time to forget their extreme living conditions or other personal crises. Dinner lasted several hours as people lingered savoring the food and friends.
Thanks to the many who donated to Samaritan’s, the Phelan and El Mirage volunteers again grabbed the turkey basters and cooked up Christmas dinner for over one hundred people. Decorations and the smells of turkeys and pumpkin pies greeted everyone as they drifted in throughout the evening. Impromptu Christmas carols were heard, stories were shared over dressing and mashed potatoes, and children were running around too excited to sit. It was Christmas at it’s most basic, the sharing of blessings and thankfulness for this time together. The children received a wrapped toy and a stuffed animal, which were opened with lots of jumping and squealing. For most these were their only Christmas gifts.
Samaritan’s Helping Hand provides emergency services for those in need all year long. But it is with the holidays that everyone puts forth that extra effort to make sure that needs and wishes are met, especially for the children. We are honored to be the face of help and hope.

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