November 27, 2007
We can do no great things --only small things with great love.
-Mother Teresa-
Good Morning,
Thanksgiving with The Salvation Army is always exciting. This year, throughout the Islands The Salvation Army served almost 5,000 meals. I am not sure about you; however, when I used to think about the people who attend such dinners I thought they were all homeless. While it is true that many homeless do attend the dinner, most are coming for other reasons. I would like to share some of my experiences from our dinner at the Blaisdell Center:
- I met a family that recently immigrated to the United States, they had no idea what Thanksgiving was about, however, they loved meeting their "new family" around the table. I got a thrill watching the children marvel at all their surroundings.
- I was able to sit with a couple of senior citizens and talk story. I found out that this is one of the highlights of their year and look forward to it each year. I asked them why they enjoy attending, and they one said, "I feel like I belong here."
- One gentleman just happened to be walking past the Blaisdell, so he came in. He told me that he had recently moved to Hawaii, his family was still on the mainland. He had no where else to go.
- A woman, who had her 6 year old son with her, said that it meant so much for her to be with other people on Thanksgiving.
- An elderly gentleman called me over to his table. He handed me a dollar bill. I told him that he did not have to give anything; the meal was our gift to him. With tears in his eyes, he put the dollar into my hand and said, "thank you, Salvation Army."
- I spoke with a volunteer who said her Thanksgiving would not be the same without a day at the Blaisdell.
- One of the dignitaries for the day, when they saw the way each person was treated as an individual and the way the volunteers cared for the guests, told me, "God is here."
- A police officer told me that this one of the few opportunities he can sit with the homeless and just talk. He said, "This gives us an opportunity to show them that we care."
- The most impactful moment for me was when a woman came up, hugged me and told me that this was the first Thanksgiving since losing her husband to cancer. She tried to say thank you, but could not. My heart ached for her loss. I was humbled and honored at the same time.
Each dinner across the Islands has similar stories. I think we provide much more than a meal at Thanksgiving. Maybe more than anything, the dinners provide a place where people can go and know they matter.
We came close to running out of food this year at the Blaisdell Center, when we reached record numbers of over 2500 guests. However, one thing we did not run out of was care. I am so grateful for the over 1000 volunteers state-wide who demonstrated that care.
"…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40
Blessings,
d
