Love and Care Holiday
By: Big Country Homepage Staff
Updated: December 25, 2012
It's a safe place that many consider home.
David Wallace said "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, what they got up here on the wall, they mean that."
David Wallace is no stranger to the streets, and says he relies on Love and Care Ministries to get through day.
"I'm homeless, they give me a sleeping bag, they give me clothes, and I get to come take a shower...if it wasn't for them, I'd be dead, or i wouldn't know what to do" said Wallace.
Around the holidays, when many are out buying new clothes, homeless people, like Wallace seek any extra warmth, especially when temperatures continue to drop.
"We'll have 120 to 150 come in a day just for clothing." Said Mark Hewitt.
Ministry founder Mark Hewitt knows Christmas time can be more of a stress than that of a celebration for the less fortunate.
Hewitt said "The holiday season is not easy for them, so it's good to have a volunteer they can give their heart to, just by talking to them. Sometimes it's not just about giving away food or clothing, it's about building relationship with someone."
Relationships with volunteers, like Stephanie Sparks, who's new to Abilene and to volunteering, but saw this festive time of year as the perfect time to start with a pay-it-forward attitude.
"I was having a really rough time and I was really down, and it just seemed to help when I was helping others" said Sparks.
With every prepped meal, box of food, and bag of clothes, volunteers at Love and Care Ministries have folks like David Wallace in mind, hoping to wrap up the gift of relationship this holiday season.
David Wallace said "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, what they got up here on the wall, they mean that."
David Wallace is no stranger to the streets, and says he relies on Love and Care Ministries to get through day.
"I'm homeless, they give me a sleeping bag, they give me clothes, and I get to come take a shower...if it wasn't for them, I'd be dead, or i wouldn't know what to do" said Wallace.
Around the holidays, when many are out buying new clothes, homeless people, like Wallace seek any extra warmth, especially when temperatures continue to drop.
"We'll have 120 to 150 come in a day just for clothing." Said Mark Hewitt.
Ministry founder Mark Hewitt knows Christmas time can be more of a stress than that of a celebration for the less fortunate.
Hewitt said "The holiday season is not easy for them, so it's good to have a volunteer they can give their heart to, just by talking to them. Sometimes it's not just about giving away food or clothing, it's about building relationship with someone."
Relationships with volunteers, like Stephanie Sparks, who's new to Abilene and to volunteering, but saw this festive time of year as the perfect time to start with a pay-it-forward attitude.
"I was having a really rough time and I was really down, and it just seemed to help when I was helping others" said Sparks.
With every prepped meal, box of food, and bag of clothes, volunteers at Love and Care Ministries have folks like David Wallace in mind, hoping to wrap up the gift of relationship this holiday season.
