As you all know Christmas is a time for giving, but I wanted to take it to another level. Preparing for the Christmas giveaway event was a major deal for me! I organized everything so perfectly and here is how.
The Miles of Smiles Christmas Journey begins like this!
Firstly, we raised $130 by selling $1 raffle tickets and they were a hit! With that money I bought 100 Aldis bags, and from the Dollar Tree and 99 cent store I shopped for Christmas bows and gift bags, deodorants, hand sanitizers, gloves, tooth brushes, combs, body shower scrubs, socks, Santa hats, body spray, candy canes, razors, Christmas suckers, and granola bars. I then made many gift bags! You can see some of them in the above photo. In each bag was blue for men and pink for women.
Donations donations donations! Boy did we get donations! Even small biz donated! One, named Highstrung Designs donated crochet hats made from her heart! Fourteen of them! They turned out to be quite popular!
We received donations from all over! Yes, even out of Texas. Now listen to this short story! You will be questioning "just coinsidence" after reading this. I had a woman comment on a photo on my fan facebook page. She stated that she has a ton of donations and was going to take them to Goodwill and after seeing what we do she decided she wants to hand them out to the homeless. I told her to go for it! She then explained to me that she doesn't have a vehicle or she would. So, I asked her where she is at and she told me. Now, before I continue to this next part here is what I want you to keep in mind. I am from Texas, born and raised and currently living there. I was actually in the midst of packing to take a trip to Charrolett NC to visit my brothers when she makes the comment that she is located in Charolett NC! I was in shock and excited! So, needless to say, when I made my trip to see my brothers I picked up six big hefty bags full of donations and in great shape too!
One top of all that we had more bags of donations! My future mother in law even bought nearly $60 worth of food.
My fiance and I stayed up making sandwiches and labeling each with "white, wheat, ham, turkey" Because we don't want to just give, we want to give them a choice too!
I organized all bags by seasons, tops, bottoms, size, and gender. I then put two shirts to each bag and labeled those as size and gender. And to top it off I put a big Christmas bow on each bag.
We had coats, blankets, tops, bottoms, shoes, socks, underwear, even bras!
Below is not even close to half of it!
After a hours and days of organizing, sorting, bagging, and wrapping I was ready to make my journey with my co leader, her sister, and the most loving and supportive fiance!
We first drove on 635 and made the exits under bridges and holding up signs. Not only did we give but conversated as well. Here are their stories.
Kirk is in previous posts. He is patiently waiting for his Christmas gift. Love his smile! Spreading Miles of Smiles in DFW! I love seeing clothing and items I have and we have given being used! Kirk is directing Amber and Casey to where Carol is while he's wearing the big warm coat we gave to him last month. When we pulled up he was all snuggled up in the blanket Steven and I had given him during the ice storm. He's got a cold and we really hope he feels better soon.
Greet yourself to Braxton. Casey and I ran from one cross street to another to get to him. While Amber and Steven stayed in the car and watched over us. We both felt so good giving him food and a Christmas gift. He was explaining to us that he had just gotten shewd off by a cop. It felt good to build him up after that. He got a little emotional by telling us that his situation is so sad and that he never thought he would be in it. He mentioned that what we gave him is what he needs. He says "A lot of people think we just want money but things like this is what we need"
This is Keith. I had given to him before. In fact, he's wearing a Campbell Indians hoodie under his coat, the one that was donated that I gave him nearly 2 months ago! Keith told Casey and I some sad stories of the way he has been treated by drivers and authority. These are people and they should be treated like people. Keith is looking for a job and wants to work. We all talked for a long time. I think he needed that more than anything. While we were on the side of the road talking to him, we noticed a man in a car watching for a while, he then rolled his window down and gave him money. Merry Christmas to him!
This is Shannon in both photos. He plays music for money. One day, I'm gonna go back to this area and listen to him play.
"Never thought I'd have to do this but God humbles everyone." That's what his sign says. He told us he had prayed for this. We gave him food and a Christmas gift.
We had just given Pearl a Christmas present and food. She was really weary of us at first and then once I told her we have Christmas for her she came up to us with a little smile. A hidden one. Looks like Pearl has gathered up wood to make a fire some where tonight. Sweet timid lady.
Say hello to Richard! We met him while he was up on that hill behind him. He was searching for things on the ground . After we gave him a Christmas bag and food he stopped searching the ground and went under a bridge to check out his gift and eat his lunch.
Me, Amber, Casey, and Kenny. Look at Kenny with his new Christmas gift. I always have a good time talking with Kenny. Now I'm so glad that Amber and Casey have had the pleasure to meet him!
After we gave to them we stopped and ate Cici's! I mean, who doesn't love pizza on a day of giving? :P
Then it was off to the downtown park. As soon as we parked we began to set up for the event. This time we did it smart. We set up a table next to our vehicles and put everything in order on it. Every one of us had a special job to do for everyone! As the homeless people in downtown waited patiently and offering to help us we made each one feel important the entire time! Read below.
Stephanie- leader of MOS holding a sign for everyone to know that each one is important. Good way to start off the event! Everyone did feel important and look how happy people are. We all had a lot of fun!
Amber- co leader is giving out of the trunk of her car. She's giving him items to keep warm during the cold nights.
We had a line form. When they went through the line Amber had passed sandwiches out to everyone to eat while waiting. They went through the line and got men's jeans and bagged shirts from Steven, Christmas bags of hats, gloves, and hygiene products from me, soup and coffee from Amber, and then girl's jeans and clothes from Casey. Really had this organized so well!
Casey is making miles of smiles by giving clothes and coats to keep this man warm!
I found this shirt for the man Tim, sitting in that wheel chair beside me. He explained to me that at the church/shelter he left his little belongings there that he had and they thew it away. They told him it will happen again if he leaves his stuff again. His exact words "Stephanie, just because they're church people doesn't mean they're nice people because they're not, but all of you over here are." Firstly, this is heart breaking but I know we can build them up and repair the damage that's been done. We hooked him up with some good clothes of all kinds and boxers!
Amber is giving a helping hand to a hungry homeless man. All though this is sad, we all feel so humbled to give. And this is beautiful.
Look at the smile on Steven and her face as he's handing her clothes. A smile goes a long way with people! This picture says a lot!
Look at all of those women's clothes! Casey is helping her find her size and style. Looks like she's having luck!
Here I am handing a Christmas gift to Casey. He has a lot of character. He was actually sitting on the side watching everyone get gifts and not joining. I noticed him and brought this to him. He made everyone laugh after this and began dancing and singing a lot for the rest of the day. Haha!
Action shot of Casey and Amber giving out goodies!
Steven directing the line of our buddies and handing out Aldis bags with Christmas bows the front full of donations from all of you!
Me and Rudy just hanging out! He's gotta make sure he's in all pictures. Love this man's character and aura! He loves to be in pictures and take pictures with me! I think he has a photographers heart. He just touches my heart so much. And I've only met him twice, two months in a row. I'll never forget this man. Ever! He is one of the many brave former vets who live on the streets.
They are having a good time in line!
Casey sure looks happy to be giving a helping hand! Look at the people in the back ground. They are eating sandwiches we gave them as they are waiting in line to get their presents and clothes
He's styling the scarf that Cheryle, Amber's mom crocheted! Beautiful on him!
Our helper Rudy is handing out coffee and soup to one our other buddies out there. His settle smile right here makes my heart feel happy. This picture and moment makes my heart happy. What a beautiful moment!
He's wearing his new wear along with his new crocheted hat by Highstrung Designs. Look at how happy he is! I let him pick which hat he wanted and he picked the most colorful one to match his personality.
Steven handing out nice good looking pairs of jeans that was donated. My gosh you all who donated really helped so many! Look at our buddies eating the sandwiches we made them, as they wait so patiently to get all hooked up for Christmas! We these people!
Eating the sandwiches we made for them as they are waiting in line to get Christmas. Look at how patiently they are waiting. Love them.
I love this shot! While Rudy on the left, our homeless buddy is handing soup and coffee to another you can see another in the background walking with items we have given.
The leader and co leader together. Read our sign, I love the message!
Tim and I. This man will forever have my love. I'm hoping that the church that "helps" them will be nicer to him and all the rest. I've got his bag of donated items in my hand for him to take the load off him for a little while. He's the one who told me about his clothes being stolen but remember, we hooked up and will again next month with all of your kind and generous donations!
My buddy Tim and I. I had just put down his new shirt and then picked them up and started folding all of his clothes and bagging it for him. I hate that he has to keep all of his belongings with him at all times. I'm sure that's very hard for him as he is in a wheel chair. He is such a sweet man.
Steven is helping many with giving warm clothes and blankets. He is even learning names and bonding with people. It was very neat thing to watch.
Hey everyone check this out! This homeless man, with not a lot to his name had a sandwich we gave him. When he first got it, I caught this picture of him trying to give it to one of his friends! Now this is something else! We should all be like this!
He had us all laughing! Can't you tell, he's for sure got personality! He's sporting some nice donations he got from us the we picked up from you!
These two are just hanging out with us in their new clothes we gave them. One is waiting for us to get the shoes out and the other is SO excited about his new hat from Highstrung Designs that he prayed and thanked God afterwards. How sweet.
This woman would not speak up or talk to anyone. She simply stayed in the back and wouldn't accept donations. As we were all busy handing out items, gifts, and hugs her friend stood inline and when it was his turn I handed him a gift bag. He asked for pink socks and I said sure and gave him some. Then I saw and heard him walk over to this lady and give it to her. Clearly she loves pink! I thought it was such a sweet gesture of him. I told him that and he blushed and smiled, and said thank you. She then felt a little more comfortable to get more donations. Hints all of the stuff in her hands
Rudy and our other buddy out at the park. Everything in hands are from us. No wonder he looks a little happy! We also treat them with love and respect. We talk to them and listen to their stories.
He's hooked up a meaty sandwich and an Aldis gift bag full of donations just for him and him only Then he doesn't even know it, and I've got another gift for him!
Shes getting the first pick of women's shoes. This lady was such a sweetie. I wanted to give her 2 Christmas gifts, but gotta remember their are many more in need!
Rudy, our helper who lives on the streets was our security guard for the day! He always makes us laugh! We just love him! Here he is holding up my sign guiding everyone and telling everyone we are here to bless everyone and he is with us and he giving out soup. He's always got a smile on his face! As you will see in the future pictures!
Steven is making sure they have a wonderful Christmas!
All he wanted was a coat and my sign. He really had a grip on my sign. I asked to read it and I gave it to him. He began to walk off and I was asked where he was going, he said he would be back. Then he came back after vanishing for a while. He had the sign and talked to me for a while. He then asked if he could keep it and I said sure I'll make another one! Shortly after that the owner from the 711 we were close to in Downtown came up to me all dressed up, shook my hand and said "what your doing is really great, good job and thank you" Him keeping the sign tells me that more of the homeless in this area will know about Miles of Smiles and they will know where to go next month too with spread of words!
Here is Rudy. Our big helper every month. He always helps us give to to others before he even asks for anything for himself. He's got such a big heart and a contagious smile. We look forward to seeing him monthly, all thought we hope he finds a place soon.
Today (same event just different day and by myself), on my journey to give the last of the gifts I've put together for the homeless I saw Terry. I have given to him 2 times before but today I think he needed it the most. This is where he was sitting. Not a very happy place to be at and alone. I pulled up and he knew it was me. So he was struggling to get up, I told him to just stay there I'm coming to you. I gave him that Santa hat for warmth and Christmas spirit filled with gifts just for him! He was grateful and thanked me. He's checking it all out. When I drove off I watched him smile and put his Santa hat on! It's truly a pleasant feeling seeing someone happy and using what I give and hope they enjoy.
This was taken after the event was over! We were truly happy to help so many people!
Everyone enjoyed themselves and they will next month too! So get your donations in and lets keep making these smiles go around!
Now that he's set up with a Christmas gift, Aldi's bag with clothes and food he is set for the road. Just watch him go!
