LSF Clients' Holiday Brightened

by Caring Donors and Staff

8 January 2009

By Thomas L. Weitzel
LSF Communications

Even in the midst of a troubled economy, many of the clients served by Lutheran Services Florida -- from youth in shelters, to children in foster care, to the homeless and the elderly in guardianship care -- were treated to caring generosity that helped to brighten their holidays during Christmas of 2008.

PARTY FOR HOUSING PROGRAM FAMILIES

Families in LSF's CHANCE housing program in the Miami area were invited to a Christmas party sponsored by members of St. Thomas by the Bay Lutheran Church and their pastor, the Rev. Daniel Coy. The party included singing Christmas Carols, outdoor play and games for the children, and a barbeque meal. Each child in the program received a beautifully wrapped Christmas gift presented from church members.

"It’s a wonderful feeling to know that people do care for others even during these difficult economic times," said Linda Ellis, CHANCE Case Manager for LSF. "Generosity continues."

PUNCHING BAGS FOR BOYS

In Pensacola, boys at the Safe Have Youth Shelter were delighted with the Christmas gift of two punching bags, gloves and hand made stands given by Danny Rollin, "a local wrestler who has been a guardian angel for our clients for the past couple of years," according to LSF Shelter Manager Myra Gamblin.

"Danny has made it his goal to teach the boys to take out their frustrations in a productive way, one that will allow them to build their body and mind with discipline versus destructive behaviors," Gamblin said. "Not only does he do motivational talks for the boys, but he has donated his time, money and energy to helping our shelter."

In addition, Rollin enlisted the help of the National Guard Armory of Alabama and other professional wrestlers to visit Safe Haven and speak to the boys and make donations of towels, briefs, socks and other athletic apparel.

"Thank God for the guardian angels that He has chosen to walk this earth with us," Gamblin added, "whose wings we may not see but know that they are indeed there."

REPORTER TURNED CHRISTMAS ANGEL

A local television reporter in Fort Myers on assignment to get an interview on holiday stress from LSF Regional Director Patricia Leonard wound up becoming a Christmas angel for a little girl in LSF's foster care program.

Following the interview, Kevin Ozebek, a reporter with WBBH-TV (NBC-2 news), "asked if there was a child that he could help by giving some gifts," said Leonard. "We found a five-year-old child in foster care whose foster mother was in the hospital at the time and who had requested 'anything Dora the Explorer.'"

The next day, Ozebek came back "with arm loads of presents for this child," reported Leonard. "He also engaged the Fort Myers Police Department to give as well."

GIFTS FOR CAREGIVERS TOO

"One of our caregivers for the Family Safety program heard that some children placed with relatives needed gifts and food for the holidays," reported Patricia Montalverne of LSF's Case Management Organization for foster care in Lee and Charlotte Counties. "This aunt brought gifts and food for the grandparents of the other two children who would not have had much for Christmas."

The LSF case manager who helped the aunt to arrange for the gifts is Sharon Burke, who "needs to be commended for making sure that those caring for the children of relatives had a holy and bountiful Christmas," said Montalverne.  "Grandparents on fixed incomes have a difficult time raising children.  God bless them for being there for our children in need."

LSF STAFF GOING THE EXTRA MILE

In Tampa, LSF staff members at Central Services bought gifts for 13 elderly and handicapped clients in LSF's Guardianship care.

"The gifts ranged from clothing, mostly sweaters, to costume jewelry," said Danielle Kearney, LSF Director for Community and Church Relations. These were combined with another 25 gifts from St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Tampa and another nine gifts from the Florida-Georgia District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in Orlando, so that every person in Guardianship care received a gift.

Kearney praised LSF staff members for "your kind and sharing spirit" in a note of thanks just prior to Christmas.

Similarly, LSF Southwest Regional Director Patricia Leonard noted "the sacrifice that many of our employees make to work on Christmas Day." Round the clock care is required at LSF's five youth shelters and four Guardianship care facilities across the state.

Staff at Lippman Youth Shelter in Oakland Park Staff had "a 'family' Christmas dinner," according to LSF Southeast Regional Director Beth Von Werne. "The kids have been decorating and putting colored drawings on the walls," she said before Christmas.

Similarly, the staff at the Oasis Youth Shelter in Fort Myers "purchased Christmas trees for the facility to ensure a family environment for them," said Rafael Olivares, LSF Residential Services Manager in Fort Myers.

LSF staff members who work on Christmas and other holidays "make sure that our residents feel safe, loved and cared for even though they are not at home," said Olivares. "The work done here at the Oasis Youth Shelter, whether it is by staff, volunteers or people who just want to help, is really a labor of love for the kids that need us."

RED HAT LADIES MODEL INDEPENDENCE

Also in Fort Myers, 25 ladies in the Queen Palm Chapter of the Red Hat Club from Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club visited Oasis Youth Shelter to help decorate their Christmas tree and share over 30 gifts for the youth.

"The youth met ladies who share the philosophy of the Red Hatters, whom, as you know, feel they have earned the right to be themselves and not worry about 'peer pressure,'" said Cheryl Dolenc, Senior Administrative Assistant for LSF's Southwest Region. "This was demonstrated with a brief, spur of the moment rendition of Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer!"

In addition, youth heard stories of one Burmese lady who had volunteer experience with a refugee resettlement program in Detroit and another lady who previously worked with an employment and social services agency working with needy families in the north.

"It was heart-warming to see these ladies interact with the youth and demonstrate that caring for others does not end after retirement," said Dolenc, who added that as the ladies left, "they were overheard excitedly discussing other ways they could help, including cooking a meal, having a cookie baking and decorating day, and sorting donated clothing."

GIVING BY CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, OTHERS

Many of LSF's clients were recipients of gifts and special efforts over the holidays across the state. Among those donating to Oasis Youth Shelter and elsewhere were:

• Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, who donated a large amount of entertainment supplies for our facility such as arts and crafts materials, board games as well as books and food.

• Fort Myers Middle Academy principal Brian Botts donated Christmas dinner, which included a turkey, ham, cereal and other ingredients for home-cooked meal.

• Gateway Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Myers and Pastor Kent Lee donated $500 of gifts on Christmas Eve, including clothes, athletic equipment, videogames and coupons for meals that will last beyond the holiday season.

• Zion Lutheran Church, Fort Myers, donated books, food and entertainment supplies such as arts and crafts materials and board games.

• Messiah Lutheran Church, Cape Coral, sponsored a Christmas Eve dinner for shelter youth and gave presents and gift cards, including over 20 quilts.

• The Fort Myers Sewing Group donated hand sewn blankets and pajamas.

• Grace Lutheran Church in Tampa gave 69 gifts to clients in LSF's refugee settlement program as part of their annual ongoing tradition.

"Despite the difficult economic climate faced by everyone this year, the children residing at the Oasis Youth Shelter were able to see that there are still people willing to give to those who are in need, despite whatever hardship they may be facing," commented Residential Services Manager Rafael Olivares. "It is encouraging for me to see that no matter what the situation is, there are people who selflessly do God’s work here on earth and give the greatest gift of all to youth in need, love and caring."
 

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