RickinNYC
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2003
- Messages
- 7,870
Our organization operates 25 programs throughout the city, almost all of which are 24/7 homeless shelters. We usually try to put aside a few dollars each year so that we can put together small gift bags of personal items and fun things for our clients on Christmas Day. This year, unfortunately, a couple of our shelters just couldn't afford it. I honestly love my job but sometimes it just breaks my heart to see so much pain every day. It's one of the reasons why I keep the DIS up on my desktop; it's a great escape from reality, even if for just a few minutes here and there.
Nevertheless, when I found out which programs were coming up short and weren't able to buy even small items as gifts, I called a couple of my old contacts from my corporate days. Tough economic times or not, boy did they come through in spades! We received two pallets worth of product from Estee Lauder/Aveda this morning, that contained hundreds and hundreds of make-up kits for our ladies. There were boxes of shampoos, lotions, hair care products. It was pretty amazing just unpacking everything! Another donor came through just a moment ago with an entire TRUCKLOAD of brand new coats, gloves and hats. Not a pick-up truck. A MASSIVE true blue big honkin' freight truck. It's parked outside right now, being unloaded. Hundreds of jackets, tons of really amazing, high quality, warm clothes.
Just seeing my co-workers whooping it up outside, goofing off, having a great time loading everything into their shelter vans really made the season hit home. If you haven't seen a teeny tiny social worker struggling under a mountain of jackets, grinning ear to ear like a crazed loon, you're missing something pretty special.
All that notwithstanding, Christmas is particularly difficult for a large number of our clients. They may be homeless and are living with us, but they do have children, most of whom are in the foster care system. Most of them do stay in touch and see their kids, they even try to scrape what money they do have to buy them Christmas presents. Not all of them can do that and their kids either go without, or their foster families come through for them. I'm not a parent, but I can imagine what it must be like to not be able to give your child one simple Christmas present from Santa.
I had spoken about this with a volunteer that had helped paint a shelter at the beginning of this year. Apparently, he had taken that conversation to heart. He just called me. Without my knowledge, his department had started collecting toys and children's clothing, all brand new, this past October. He had even expanded it to include other departments in the firm in which he works and his own clients. We're getting a delivery this Friday! ALL of which is for our clients at one particular program so that they will have presents to give their children!!
I can honestly and truly say that I love my job. Can be tough, sure. I've actually gotten on the subway headed home, feeling pretty down at times. So many thousands of people out there that are homeless, addicted to drugs, so many with mental illness that goes untreated. So much sadness and anger. And in there, amongst all the bad, are so many amazing little stories, so many incredibly generous people who give of their time, so many people who just want to make a difference for someone else. All that good far outweighs any of the bad, bar none.
Have an awesome Christmas and a great holiday folks!
Nevertheless, when I found out which programs were coming up short and weren't able to buy even small items as gifts, I called a couple of my old contacts from my corporate days. Tough economic times or not, boy did they come through in spades! We received two pallets worth of product from Estee Lauder/Aveda this morning, that contained hundreds and hundreds of make-up kits for our ladies. There were boxes of shampoos, lotions, hair care products. It was pretty amazing just unpacking everything! Another donor came through just a moment ago with an entire TRUCKLOAD of brand new coats, gloves and hats. Not a pick-up truck. A MASSIVE true blue big honkin' freight truck. It's parked outside right now, being unloaded. Hundreds of jackets, tons of really amazing, high quality, warm clothes.
Just seeing my co-workers whooping it up outside, goofing off, having a great time loading everything into their shelter vans really made the season hit home. If you haven't seen a teeny tiny social worker struggling under a mountain of jackets, grinning ear to ear like a crazed loon, you're missing something pretty special.
All that notwithstanding, Christmas is particularly difficult for a large number of our clients. They may be homeless and are living with us, but they do have children, most of whom are in the foster care system. Most of them do stay in touch and see their kids, they even try to scrape what money they do have to buy them Christmas presents. Not all of them can do that and their kids either go without, or their foster families come through for them. I'm not a parent, but I can imagine what it must be like to not be able to give your child one simple Christmas present from Santa.
I had spoken about this with a volunteer that had helped paint a shelter at the beginning of this year. Apparently, he had taken that conversation to heart. He just called me. Without my knowledge, his department had started collecting toys and children's clothing, all brand new, this past October. He had even expanded it to include other departments in the firm in which he works and his own clients. We're getting a delivery this Friday! ALL of which is for our clients at one particular program so that they will have presents to give their children!!
I can honestly and truly say that I love my job. Can be tough, sure. I've actually gotten on the subway headed home, feeling pretty down at times. So many thousands of people out there that are homeless, addicted to drugs, so many with mental illness that goes untreated. So much sadness and anger. And in there, amongst all the bad, are so many amazing little stories, so many incredibly generous people who give of their time, so many people who just want to make a difference for someone else. All that good far outweighs any of the bad, bar none.
Have an awesome Christmas and a great holiday folks!
. I am so glad these companies and individuals could come thry for your clients!
Thanks.
Mimi
