Seniors

Week 49. Salvation Army Red Kettle

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December 3, 2018

I love the story behind the familiar Salvation Army Red Kettle at the holidays. According to The Salvation Army’s website, the kettle originated back in 1891, when Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee was distraught because so many poor individuals in San Francisco were going hungry. During the holiday season, he resolved to provide a free Christmas dinner for the destitute and poverty-stricken. He faced a major obstacle, however, in funding the project.

As he pondered how to find the funds to fulfill his commitment of feeding 1,000 of the city’s poorest individuals on Christmas Day, he thought back to his sailor days in Liverpool, England. He remembered a large, iron kettle called “Simpson’s Pot,” located at Stage Landing, where the boats came in, where passersby could toss in their coins to help the poor.

The next day, Captain McFee placed a similar pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing at the foot of Market Street. Beside the pot, he placed a sign that read, “Keep the Pot Boiling.” He soon had the money he needed to feed the poor at Christmas.

Six years later, the kettle idea spread from the West Coast to the Boston area. That year, the combined effort nationwide resulted in 150,000 Christmas dinners for the needy. In 1901, kettle contributions in New York City provided funds for the first mammoth sit-down dinner in Madison Square Garden, a custom that continued for many years. Today in the U.S., The Salvation Army assists millions of people during the Thanksgiving and Christmas time periods.

Captain McFee’s kettle idea launched a tradition that has spread not only throughout the United States, but all across the world. Public contributions to Salvation Army kettles enable the organization to continue its year-round efforts to help those who would otherwise be forgotten.

Every December for many years, I have had the opportunity to ring the bell for the Salvation Army. A friend from the photography department at The Dallas Morning News sponsors the kettle at NorthPark Mall on Mondays throughout the holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and he always invites us to participate. We fill several slots with faculty, staff, and students at Lakehill Preparatory School, and my family and I always volunteer for a shift together.

Celebrating more than 125 years, the Salvation Army’s traditional red kettle is an integral part of the holidays, with millions of dollars donated each year to aid needy families, seniors, and the homeless, in keeping with the spirit of the season. Donating to a red kettle is easy – spare change helps change lives.

Volunteer groups are needed to staff red kettle sites for a minimum of a full day. This is a great way for organizations to help raise important funds that make an immediate difference in the community. It is a fun activity for any age, and even more enjoyable when done with friends or family. The day can be divided into multiple shifts, to make it easy for volunteers to get involved. Find out more.

Week 47. Holiday Luncheon

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November 20, 2018
with updates on December 14, 2018

For 40 years, on a special Friday in December, Lakehill Preparatory School continued a holiday tradition that remains in the hearts of attendees long after the pumpkin pie is finished.

This year’s Holiday Luncheon, held on December 14, brought 150 elderly residents from around east Dallas to the school’s main campus to share the spirit of the season with the Lakehill family.

The entire Upper School assisted in welcoming the seniors to the school. Each grade has progressively more complex responsibilities. Members of Lakehill’s senior class, along with their parents and class sponsors, joined forces with the entire Upper School to provide a memorable holiday experience for senior citizens. The senior class, along with their parents, hosted the luncheon feeding over 700 people throughout the day. While the senior citizens were eating, they were joined by Lower and Middle school students and entertained with various performances.

Juniors, dressed as elves, reindeer, and Santa and Mrs. Claus, visited with guests and posed for pictures. Sophomores served as photographers, giving guests a framed photo as they left the luncheon. Freshman decorated the Commons and hosted the guests for refreshments after their meal.

Students in all grade levels helped by donating the items that were used to fill the stockings that our Lower and Middle School Community Connections club members prepared for each guest. We spent several days organizing all the donations, sorting into categories, such as tissues, stationary, shampoo, and lotion, followed by several days stuffing each stocking with goodies. As each guest left the Luncheon, they received a poinsettia, the picture frame with their picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a stocking full of goodies.

The Holiday Luncheon is a wonderful tradition that truly reinforces the meaning of the holidays. Many of these guests are regular attendees who look forward to the luncheon every year. Tasty food, good music, and enjoyable conversations with the students seemed to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

Week 26: Network of Community Ministries

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June 15, 2018

This week marks the halfway point in my 52 Weeks of Service. I have enjoyed getting to work with so many wonderful organizations, and am amazed at how quickly these 26 weeks have flown by.

I first read about Network of Community Ministries (Network) in The Dallas Morning News, and decided to find out more.

Founded in 1985, Network was formed during an economic downturn, when hundreds of well-established families in the Richardson area were struggling. Several churches and community organizations came together to assist these families and the “Network” of Community Ministries was formed.

Based in Richardson, Network serves fourteen zip codes in Dallas County, with over 70% of those served coming from Lake Highlands and Garland. A non-denominational, community-based organization, Network offers three core programs: Emergency Services, providing food, clothing, and utility services to children, adults, and seniors; the Adolescent and Children’s Clinic, meeting the acute medical care and dental needs of uninsured children; and Seniors’ Net, dedicated to providing those ages 60 and above with the resources to live independently in their own homes.

Last year, Network assisted more than 38,000 individuals, children, and seniors. Since its founding, Network has impacted the lives of more than 300,000 individuals.

I attend Network’s Volunteer Orientation, held every Thursday at 4:00 p.m. for interested individual volunteers. Orientation typically lasts around one hour and no appointments are required. We received a tour of the facilities, and an overview of volunteer positions and responsibilities. I completed of an application, and, as a “non-regular” volunteer, paid $10 to have a background check. (Individuals who volunteer on a regular schedule do not need to pay). Once these steps were completed, I was able to sign up for my first volunteer shift!

Network supports their eight paid employees with 215 regular volunteers, but they still need more. Opportunities are available in the following areas: Food Pantry, Clothing Closet, Reception, Drivers, Interviewers, Seniors’ Net, and Handy Men. Volunteers must be 14 years of age or older. Groups of up to 15 volunteers can be accommodated.

I found Network to be a positive place with a mission of self-empowerment for the neighbors they serve. I look forward to returning on my own and to bringing groups to volunteer.

Find out more about volunteering at Network.

Week 7: Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas

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February 16, 2018

I love volunteering with my family. We try to volunteer together whenever possible, and have several special service projects we look forward to every year. With a long weekend for Winter Break, my 16-year-old son and I signed up for a shift in the Food Pantry at Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas. We enjoyed a tour of the facility and a visit with the volunteer coordinator. We spent the next two hours stocking shelves with staples, trying not to get in the way of the shoppers and volunteer assistants. We were amazed at the variety of items in the small grocery store and storage area above, and in the efficiency of the operation.

Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas (JFS) is a nonsectarian mental health and social services agency that impacts more than 13,000 lives a year. For more than 65 years, JFS has welcomed those in need regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or the ability to pay. Their mission is to provide professional, effective, and affordable mental health and social services that promote lifelong self-sufficiency and well-being for anyone in need.

The Jewish Family Service Food Pantry is an affiliate of the North Texas Food Bank, providing food for qualified families and individuals in 20 North Dallas and Carrollton zip codes.

The Food Pantry is open by appointment on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Individuals are able to choose food items just as they would in a grocery store. Home delivery for the home-bound or disabled individuals is also available.

Volunteers are asked to first fill out an application. One person may complete the application for all members in a group. Volunteers may work in the Food Pantry, or in a variety of other roles. Individuals and groups are also needed for one-time special events. Students 16 years and older are encouraged to apply for the Internship Program.