Christmas for Everyone

Once again, the holidays are upon us. It's that time of year when we unpack our boxes of decorations, dust off the holiday CDs, decorate the house with lights and dread venturing downtown to brave the crowds.

This is also the time when we are inundated with requests for donations to charities. I wanted to bring to your attention a very worthwhile organization that I have been a part of for the past 6 years.

For 23 years, Christmas for Everyone has provided Christmas Day services (Food, Clothing, Gifts & Household items) to the working poor, homeless and lonely seniors in Contra Costa County. Last year, we provided services to over 2,700 people!

Personally, this will be Wendy's and my 6th year involved with this worthwhile charity. Wendy is responsible for leading the volunteer recruitment effort and I am responsible for the kitchen output (did I mention 2,700 people?!?) on Christmas Day.

I was personally introduced to this organization through a colleague and after serving my first Christmas and seeing the need, along with the heartfelt warmth and appreciation of the less-fortunate in our own backyard, can tell you that this is where I will be on Christmas for as long as they continue to operate.

The services are provided at The Full Gospel Church 2120 Olivera Road (off Hwy 242) in Concord. Each year, we begin to set up the church in the 1st week of December (Dec 6 this year). We receive donations of gently used clothing, gifts, money & other household items. Volunteers who come and go according to their schedule help us sort and display the items that will be given away on Christmas morning.

If anyone in our neighborhood is interested in participating in this event, please send Wendy an email and we will schedule you. If you are interested in donating either money or items of gently used clothing, toys or household items, please visit the CFE website for dropoff hours and information.

Have a warm and safe Thanksgiving!