Christmas for the homeless in Austin can be a special time as well.  Many people and organizations do even more nice things to try and help during the Holiday Season.  Last Sunday a group pulled into the parking lot across from the Sally(Salvation Army) and ARCH(Austin Resource Center for the Homeless) with things to give to the homeless.  You could get a hat, gloves, toiletries, socks, some clothes and even some fruit.  The blankets and sleeping bags went quick as always.  Other groups kept coming by through out the week with food- everything from turkey dinners to sandwiches and even Christmas stockings full of candy.  

Food was abundant and Holiday Cheer was easy to find as United Methodist and Caritas served a Christmas Brunch on Christmas Eve.  The volunteers were there to sing Christmas carols, serve food and even offered hugs to those who need a little special care.  I found myself crying several times as I thanked the volunteers for being there and sharing their Holidays with us.  

I was one of the lucky ones on Christmas Eve.  I spent the majority of the day at a dear friend's home.  I was allowed free reign in the kitchen and cooked Christmas Eve dinner for a few people and then spent an evening chatting and laughing with friends.  Once I arrived back at Sally, I realized how blessed I was to have a roof over my head and a bed to sleep in as I saw people sleeping on the sidewalk and still leaning on buildings downtown.

Santa did not arrive with a sleigh full of gifts but everyone downtown tried to make Christmas as special as they could for everyone.  Most people walked around wishing each other Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas.  Breakfast at the Sally was a continental breakfast as they had been cooking the Holiday Lunch for everyone.  The Holiday Lunch started at 11:45 for families and was opened for the public at 12:15.  The many volunteers and the kitchen staff served over 1,100 people on Christmas Day.  We had ham, sweet potatoes, green beans and pie.  You could get as many plates as you wanted and it was all brought to your table by a smiling volunteer.  The volunteers felt they needed to spend part of their holidays at the shelter helping the less fortunate.  I know I thanked as many as I could and wished them all Merry Christmas but I wonder if they will ever know how much it meant to me and many others to see people from all walks of life willing to help and try and spread Holiday Cheer.  The employees and volunteers of all the churches and organizations downtown brought joy to an otherwise depressing holiday season.  The warm wishes, kindness, gifts, food, and decorations helped soften the depression of not being able to do the things I have always done for the holidays.