Patrice Davis chose a painting at the Spirit of Christmas Gift Giveaway
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without giving to others
Contributed By: The 411 News
Indiana State Rep. Vernon Smith and Williams Chapel COGIC celebrate Christ's birthday
For Patrice Davis, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without celebrating it with Indiana State Rep. Vernon Smith.
“I come all the time. I love what Vernon does for the community. It’s wonderful for the kids and the older people,” said Davis, who chose a framed 3x4 painting.
For 37 years, Smith’s invitation to join him at his annual Spirit of Christmas Dinner & Gift Giveaway has welcomed all to attend, even those who don’t live in his 14th Indiana House District.
All those years, he beckoned the community to come and have dinner, enjoy themselves with good company and get a gift, too. The traditional turkey dinner was served with all the trimmings and desserts.
Some years Smith provided transportation to those who needed it.
This year was different. Smith invited the community to his Spirit of Christmas Gift Giveaway. Dinner was not being served.
Still, the line was long at the Calumet Township Multipurpose Center on Monday.
“2023 was my last year of serving dinner,” Smith said. “The cooking and everything had gotten to be too much after 37 years. I tried to give it to the young people, but they couldn’t do anything with it. I had to do this instead.”
The Christmas Dinner doesn’t just happen overnight, planning and organizing take months, Smith said. “I’m not sure there will be a gift giveaway next year.”
Smith’s message this holiday season, “Jesus Christ was a gift to the world. Christmas Day was his birthday. So we are giving to celebrate his birthday. We celebrate God’s gift by giving to others.”
Williams Chapel Church of God in Christ, 2201 Tennessee Street in Gary, celebrated Christ’s birth with 2 days of giving. The church invited the entire community to join them at their December 18th Pre-Christmas Dinner. Helping to serve the food was Rep. Smith.
At Sunday’s service, Pastor Anthony Williams gave gifts to his entire congregation. There were gift cards in each bag.
“I have 12 bikes for kids who need them. Only come up if you need a bike,” Pastor Williams added as a reminder. It took about two minutes for the children and their families to make the decision.
Pastor Anthony Williams at Williams Chapel COGIC gave bikes to 12 children in his congregation
Story Posted:12/24/2024
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