SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – The Union Gospel Mission is preparing for a busy Christmas Day of giving back to the community. Monday, they had some volunteers lending a helping hand.
Members of the South Dakota Air National Guard are on a special assignment at the Union Gospel Mission — set up toys and fold clothes.
“You know, just to give back to the community feels great,” volunteer Sean Fantroy said. “We’re all blessed with so much so just to be able to get out and give back is, it just means a lot.”
The items they are setting up will go out to people in need of some help this holiday season.
“On Christmas Day, every year, we have been known to do big giveaways just to make sure that everybody who didn’t have the ability to afford a Christmas can have one,” Ann Lenars, Community Care Coordinator at the Union Gospel Mission, said. “So every year on Christmas we do three chapel services at 11, 1 and 2 p.m. followed by a meal service and then they can come through to our giveaway. This year we focused primarily on toys but we do also have these really filled out like lush hygiene bags.”
Between these men and women of the Air Guard and so many more who are set to help out this week, Ann Lenars with the Union Gospel Mission says they have been blessed with volunteers.
“Man, I actually had to start turning a couple people away and I hate to do it because normally we have so much volunteer need but I think on Christmas Day people just get really excited to help out,” Lenars said. “We do have a full list of people available to help this Christmas.”
People coming together to give out not only toys, but love.
“There are so many people this time of year who just really struggle with maybe not having family, maybe not having friends, not having what they need to provide a Christmas,” Lenars said. “It can be really just heavy sometimes and we want to make sure that nobody has to struggle with that.”
The services, meals and giveaways will take place in the men’s center of the Union Gospel Mission, which is located at 220 North Weber Avenue in downtown Sioux Falls.
As for volunteers, the Union Gospel Mission isn’t in need of any help this week, but if you’re looking to extend the holiday cheer into January, you can reach out for opportunities in the New Year.
