The primary annual Christmas Eve social gathering organized by a small church for homeless households and others struggling financially was held 11 years in the past at a Spotsylvania County skating rink.
On Saturday, the small, home-based Hope Christian Fellowship church held one other of its Christmas Eve events, at a unique spot, and drew its greatest crowd but.
Round 130 individuals, principally kids, confirmed up on the Area Home, an indoor sports activities advanced in Spotsylvania the place the events have been held since 2016.
“We anticipated extra this time,” stated Coston Cheatham, a church member who helps manage the occasions.
Maureen Hayes, one other church member who helps manage the events, stated extra individuals might have come from Fredericksburg as a result of they unfold the phrase extra this yr within the metropolis.
She added that the toys and meals for the gathering value about twice as a lot as prior to now, one thing that additionally impacts the individuals who attended Saturday. A lot of those that confirmed up stay in space motels.
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On Saturday these attendees had been served a meal (turkey, potatoes, pies and different treats) cooked by volunteers with the Area Home. Youngsters additionally got toys and present playing cards and the households took dwelling a bag of groceries.
Timothy and Angela Darr confirmed as much as the Area Home with six godchildren in tow. They’ve been caring for kids, starting from ages 2–10, for years rather than their mother and father, who’re pals that fell on exhausting instances.
The couple lives in a basement house in Spotsylvania and has no automotive. Volunteers made two journeys to drive the household to the Area Home.
“It’s a blessing,” stated Timothy, a cook dinner at an area restaurant. He figured they in any other case would have stayed at dwelling Saturday.
Together with the items the kids obtained Saturday, Angela stated they had been additionally in a position to get some toys donated by Arduous Time Café.
The Area Home events used to serve pizza together with the items, however Area Home proprietor John Wack stated they modified that final yr by providing a full meal.
He stated they confirmed up on the Area Home at 6 a.m. to start out organising and cooking all the meals, which included 16 turkeys.
“We needed to make this extra of a household, Christmas really feel,” he stated.
Scott Shenk: 540/374-5436
sshenk@freelancestar.com