Dec. 24, 2007

 

Congregation Havurat Tikvah serves on Christmas Eve 

Christmas Eve on Distribution Street...

In one sense, it was a normal day.

Folks from all walks of life pitching in to help their neighbors with the basics.

But, yes, it was the day before Christmas. And many regular volunteers were out of town visiting relatives.

So members of Charlotte's Havurat Tikvah Jewish congregation came out in force to prepare food for delivery. Then many of them drove routes to some of the hundreds of homebound, ailing or elderly residents that Friendship Trays volunteers serve every day.

All of that is the magic that animates this place every day and has helped Friendship Trays serve the community for more than 30 years.

But then the extra magic began. Colchester Landscape and Design called, saying if only Friendship Trays could send a truck out toward Matthews, they would donate a truckload of poinsettias. So Otis Hemphill took the refrigerated truck, and came back from Colchester with the poinsettias.

And of course within minutes of the poinsettias coming in from the loading dock, volunteers were scooping them up to deliver them with the food to Friendship Trays recipients.

Two of the last people out the door were volunteer driver Madie Smith and her fast friend Natasha. About their delivery chores, Smith said, "We wouldn't miss it for the world."

And then they sprang into their car. They fastened their seat belts -- a clear sign that there would be no greeting of,  "Happy Christmas and to all a good night."

But we heard her exclaim, ere they drove out of sight:

"Let's roll."

It was all a bit of magic for a magical holiday.

Pictures from the day are below.