ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Despite difficult times, generosity has kept a smile on the faces of the people at the Capital City Rescue Mission. NEWS10 ABC’s Carina Dominguez has heartwarming stories from the annual Christmas celebration.
Some said if it wasn’t for the shelter on Christmas day, they would likely be on the street.
“Probably panhandling in the cold,” said Susan Taylor. She’s learning how to ask for help, after her home burned down last year.
“I was looking for a home. It took almost a year. I had faith,” said Taylor.
She moved into her new home yesterday and called it a Christmas miracle. Although she’s been hungry at times, she’s kept her sense of humor through it all.
“I let other people know that you can also stay happy when you’re homeless. You don’t have to be miserable. You can go to the doctors and get a health check, do everything that you can for yourself to get yourself uplifted. You don’t need anyone to uplift you. You need Jesus and you need good people in your life and for that I’m grateful,” said Taylor.
Pastor and Executive Director Perry Jones said there’s been an unprecedented need this year.
“Right now we probably have a couple hundred volunteers and we’re figuring that we’re going to serve around 3,000. So there’s a lot of people but I think it’s gonna be above that. I haven’t seen it this busy and I’ve been here for 43 years,” said Jones.
Taylor, and many others, expressed gratitude for the generosity. Jones had a message for those who went to the birthday party and worship celebration for Jesus.
“God loves you but also you are worthy of our help. I want to bless you. I’m sorry that it’s tough but we also know that we want to give to you what will help you get better, will get you out of some of the stuff, so you’ll be able to help other people. But I’m just humbled that I could be in this mix,” said Jones.
After eating that hot meal on a cold day people walked up the block to the warehouse, where Santa’s helpers handed out gifts to all the good little girls and boys.
Volunteers, like Julie Demers, handed out thousands of gifts to people of all ages. They tailor Santa’s sack to the needs of each family.
“My mom started bringing us when my sister and I were young,” said Demers, who started volunteering at the mission as a teenager.
Demers has kept up that tradition through the years, and now?
“Now my girls are here with me too,” said Demers. “My daughter, actually, is the one who’s in charge of mostly running this now. She works so hard for months and months. It’s kind of exciting to see it all come together.”
Demers and Jones extended a big thank you to organizations, business owners and everyone else around the Capital Region who donated gifts.
“Everyone is extremely grateful. I’m always amazed at how appreciative people are. I think it’s good as a community if we can help each other out in any way that we can, when we can,” said Demers.
Jones said they have money to expand the mission – to create a bigger dining area, to get the more than 100 people who are sleeping on the floor into beds, and install steel lockers – but there’s been a hold up within City Hall.
“I think there’s just been a lot of misunderstanding about who we are and what we do, but we’re resilient cause we haven’t given up yet. And I think it’s gonna happen. The Lord is going to make it happen and so we’re giving him the praise,” said Jones.
