Operation Merry Christmas

Imagine your hands and feet numbed by the freezing cold; trying to find a place to sleep for the night and wondering if you might get to eat today–and even if you did have food, it would be hard to eat because the chronic tooth pain makes it difficult.

Life seems pretty bleak, doesn’t it? Can any of you imagine living this way? I for one can’t…I’ve had hard times in my life, but never anything like this.

In 2009, my sister established a wonderful tradition of giving backpacks, full of every day necessities to the homeless of Detroit on Christmas Day.

The inaugural year produced 7 back packs, teeming with supplies to make life more comfortable.

Things we take for granted, like toothpaste.  Tylenol.  Gloves.

My sister, my niece and my nephew distributed them personally on Christmas Day.  This experience was profoundly humbling for them, and for everyone involved.

Operation Merry Christmas is going on again this year, and once again, Stephanie is accepting donations to fill the back packs.  This year, her goal is 12–10 for men and two for women.

She is looking for donations of goods or cash to purchase goods; she is also looking for gently used backpacks.

Items needed are:

 Medicated Chapstick or Blistex

toothpaste/toothbrushes & holders They currently have enough of these items.

aspirin, tums/rolaids

Vitamin C tablets

Q-tips,hand sanitizer, nail clippers

tweezers

reusable food containers

hand warmers

wet wipes

waterproof gloves, hats, mittens, neck warmers, socks

deodorant,moisturizing lotions, Ambisol(toothache gel), band-aids/triple antibiotic cream

granola bars/individual wrapped snacks(peanut butter&crackers, etc)

plastic ponchos

toilet paper, bars of soap & travelling soap containers, travel size kleenex packs ,feminine hygiene products(panty liners/tampons/pads)

 gallon size plastic bags

If you would like to make a cash donation toward the purchase of supplies, you can send one via PayPal to operationmerrychristmas@yahoo.com .  If you live in the Detroit metro or surrounding area and would like information about dropping off items to donate, please click on the email me button to the right and I will supply you with contact information.  Also, if you live in the Cheboygan/Mackinaw City or surrounding area and would like to donate items, please click on the “Email Me” button to the right for more information.

Every donation makes a difference in the life of someone less fortunate than ourselves, so anything you can do would be a blessing.  This project is so much bigger than any one person; it’s about human kindness and that’s what the spirit of Christmas is. 

Let’s share our abundance with those who have nothing.

Your love and support is deeply appreciated.

S.