Dear Santa:
You must be so tired getting ready for all those boys and girls.
I'm tired too, but it's a good tired. Sometimes it's easy for me to get frustrated this time of year, especially not getting to have our regular weekly program with kids at The Salvation Army because of the crazy busyness of signing up people for the holiday assistance they need for their families at this special time of the year and everything else that is going on.
But I have realized that I can still be a blessing in a different sort of way.
A majority of our volunteers need transportation to help us ring bells at the kettles.
Being with them in the vehicle gives me special opportunities and extra time to spend with them.
I listen, I laugh and sometimes I cry with them. Most importantly, I also can spend time in prayer with them.
I meet so many new folks that I otherwise would not have met and so I see it as a unique kind of seasonal ministry.
In between dropping volunteers at kettles, I also drop in to do home and hospital visitation.
Just yesterday I received a call from the hospital that there was a gentleman who wanted someone from the Salvation Army to come by and visit with him.
He is 81 years old but it turned out that he went to church at The Salvation Army when he was a young boy in another town.
I am guessing that at this time when he was not feeling so great, he reflected on some memories of comfort from his time at The Salvation Army.
I can't wait to see what this week will bring!
Thanks for listening Santa.
Your friend,
Captain Debbie
Please help by giving generously to the Sun-Gazette and the Salvation Army Santa Fund.
You can help make this a brighter holiday season for local families by making a contribution in person to any branch of M&T Bank or by mail to M&T Bank at 405 River Ave.; at the Salvation Army, 457 Market St.; or the Sun-Gazette office, 252 W. Fourth St., Williamsport, PA 17701.
The Santa Fund is a fundraiser organized by the Sun-Gazette and the Salvation Army to help local families in need.
