THE LOS ANGELES MISSION JOINS SANTA TO MAKE CHRISTMAS ON SKID ROW BRIGHT FOR HOMELESS

3000 Holiday Meals and Gifts for 600 Children on Christmas Eve

Los Angeles, California --- (December 24, 2007) --- Christmas Eve was warmer in Los Angeles than in other parts of the country, but even on Skid Row there were decorations and a big helping of Christmas Cheer at the annual Los Angeles Mission Event. Children by the hundreds lined up to visit Santa, and receive gifts from the Mission staff and volunteer “elves.”

Host Jennifer Love Hewitt served food along with other celebrities and elected officials to the thousands who came for the annual event. “I have made it a point to come to the Los Angeles Mission at Christmas,” said the star of TV’s “Ghost Whisperer.” “There are so many hurting people on the streets of our city, but when I’m here I get to see the smiles of the children and the great food for everyone. I think they are getting real help from the staff and volunteers. I come to give something back, but invariably I get more blessing than I give.”

Nearly 3,000 meals were served to the men, women and children who call the Skid Row area home. Monday’s menu included hot and tasty rotisserie chicken breast, glazed ham, 3-cheese macaroni, mixed vegetables, cranberry relish, dinner rolls, butter and jelly and chocolate cake for dessert.

Mission President Herbert L. Smith thanked all the donors and businesses that made the event possible. “We are so dependent on our generous supporters who give their time to help serve the meal, as well as the funding necessary to pay for it,” Smith said. “This event is a labor of love for hundreds of people who donate gifts, others who wrap them, and still others who have worked tirelessly to get everything ready for this day. More than 400 volunteers helped out today, and many hundreds more in the weeks leading up to the event.”

“We are also grateful to SYSCO for the donation of many of the food items we are serving to our guests today,” said Smith.

Preparations for Christmas started months ago. Christmas Eve morning started early for the staff and volunteers and the Mission. Fifth Street from Wall Street to San Pedro was closed to vehicular traffic, tents were set up, chairs and tables prepared, and the entire scene was decorated for the festivities. Santa also volunteered to come and visit with the children, and to ensure special memories.

Many who came to Monday’s event live in temporary housing in the Skid Row area, others in shelters, and many from the streets. All are greeted by staff and volunteers with respect and served a hearty meal and given holiday treats. As they waited to be seated and served, the guests enjoyed holiday music from a number of local musical groups. Singers from Resurrection Life Fellowship Church, the Lowell Edwards Band, National In Choir, Women of Faith Choir from First Inner City Assembly of God, the Ministry Llamada Final Outreach Team, and the Inglesia Adoradores in Hollywood performed.

Smith talked about how difficult Christmas is for the guests the Mission serves. “Imagine being alone, and having nothing but the clothes on your back or what you could carry,” Smith said. “We try to put on a party that gives everyone a chance to feel involved, and at the same time, urge our guests to find out about the many services that the Los Angeles Mission offers the help them turn their lives around. The best gift for Christmas this year is the realization of the dream to be permanently off the street next year.”

“Skid Row children are the most poignant to see at this time of year,” Smith said. The Mission has been collecting and wrapping gifts for the children for weeks. First gifts are gender and age sorted, wrapped, and then marked so they can be given appropriately. “We want each child to receive a gift they will like,” Smith added, “and this year we are also giving robes and some other clothing items.”

The Mission received a large donation of bathrobes, in a variety of colors and sizes from Plus Necessities in Rolling Hills Estates. Most guests took one home. Many of the guests also received a poncho donated by Pacific Teaze in Chattsworth. Adult guests are also getting gifts of hygiene kits, with essential every day items like toothbrushes and shampoo. The hygiene kits were prepared and donated by Atherton Baptist Church in Hawthorne. No one goes away empty handed.

For more than 70 years, the Los Angeles Mission has served the people of Skid Row, providing emergency services such as shelter, food, clothing, as well as professional medical and dental services. In addition, the Los Angeles Mission also offers long-term residential rehabilitation programs including education, job training/placement, transitional housing and counseling.