We have just completed our largest project of the year – Christmas Dreams. Certainly, the student members of Echoes of Hope have been a big part of the project, from planning to completion. The student’s Echoes were asked to bring one or more of each of the packs: snack pack, toiletry pack and winter pack, to my home where they were packed in backpacks along with a blanket. We did end up having to purchase several items from JD funds, but the items brought by the Echoes members as well as by friends of JD truly made a difference. One grandmother heard about our work and decided it was a good project for her grandchildren. She took them shopping for items to go into a snack pack, and then they packed the items into bags. They enjoyed it so much that they continued the project for several weeks and made a very meaningful contribution to the need.
We had massive shut downs in Tennessee with groups of more than 8 not allowed. We chose to pack the backpacks on December 3 in my garage using two groups of students working 2 hours each, and luckily no one called the police on us because of the size of our groups.
In spite of the delays and uncertainties caused by Covid, we had a very successful event, held over two days. On a brisk day in December we headed to Nashville to hand out 50 backpacks to the people living in tents under the Jefferson Street Bridge or under tarps on the ground. In the past we were able to have close contact with these homeless, but that was not the case this time. We had to follow all Covid protocol in order to stay safe. The folks who received the backpacks were very grateful, several asking if we had any clothes or shoes, which we did not. However, we do plan to go back in January with those items donated by the students in my club. It’s good for the students to see the homeless and hear their expressions of gratitude and to know their additional need. This knowledge makes the work more personal and keeps the interest of the students in completing the project.
On Monday night we returned to Nashville, but this time to a different area. The people served that night live on the streets. They have no tent or tarp. On extremely cold nights they try to find room in one of the several shelters in the area, but that is not always possible because the shelters fill up quickly. They must spend the night on the sidewalk, in an alley, or wherever they can find a safe place that is protected from the elements. They carry with them all of their belongings, which are not many. Again, it is good to talk with these homeless. Many have only been on the streets a few days or a few weeks, but most have hope to return to a better life.
The student volunteers were very humbled by the whole experience. We learned many lessons beginning with one must be flexible in planning an event. While I hope that nothing like the Covid pandemic will interfere with future events, there must be a degree of flexibility in planning. We hoped that by December Covid would be on the downturn. While that was not the case, we were able to complete the project as scheduled. Many adjustments had to be made in how we did the packing and distribution such as social distancing, face masks, sanitizer after each contact, etc. The student volunteers were humbled and learned how rewarding it is to serve others. Several asked at the end of the event, “When can we have another event”? They enjoyed talking with the homeless and realized that the homeless are people just like them, many of whom are on a temporary path of misfortune.
In total we had around 40 students participate in the project and 100 backpacks were distributed. Each backpack contained a hand written note of encouragement written by one of the students. We have around 50 backpacks remaining in my garage which will be distributed to the needy and homeless over the next few weeks from my car and the cars of several members as they drive around town and see those in need. The recipients always seem so grateful for the help.
I felt sad to see people living on the streets, in tents under a bridge, under a tarp on the ground, etc. We do not realize how fortunate we are until we see those in real need. And yet, these homeless do not feel sorry for themselves; they are happy to receive the assistance. Most are people just like you and me who have simply lost their way be it due to drugs, alcohol, unemployment, divorce, etc., and many are willing to share their story with you. When they get near the end of what happened to bring them to where they are, they put on a smile and tell you of their hope for the future. In all my contact over the last three years with the homeless, I have met only one person who had no hope to ever leave the streets. That was a sad conversation; one I hope I do not hear again.
I always leave with a multitude of feelings, but the one that prevails over all is that we are making a difference. I will continue helping others for as long as I am able.