by Melanie JongsmaDirector of Communications
The two ladies in the photo at left — Mary and Helen — understand a few things about life and death. One of them suffered at the hands of the Nazis during World War II. The other just recently received news about some serious health challenges she will be facing.
You might think these experiences would cast a shadow on their Christmas spirit. In truth, however, these ladies seem ever more determined to share peace, joy, hope, and love with the world.
Throughout November, Mary and Helen and a few other residents of Saratoga Grove Christian Retirement Community collected new and gently-used gloves, hats, scarves, and coats. Last week, they delivered these gifts to a P.A.D.S. site in DuPage County, an organization that provides homeless people with meals and places to stay overnight. The gifts were delivered just in time for a December drop in temperature and a prediction of snowfall. "It warms our hearts to know they will be warmer!" said Joan Lawson, the Life Enrichment Director at Saratoga Grove who organized the gift drive.
Joan added, "Mary and Helen were most compassionate. And they were hesitant to be photographed because they didn’t want credit and they said they don’t look pretty. I told them they were beautiful!"
When Jesus came to earth that first Christmas, He too was homeless and poor. In reaching out to the homeless of DuPage County, Mary and Helen are honoring the King whose birth we commemorate each December. I can't think of any better way to celebrate Christmas!
