FORT LAUDERDALE — On Friday, Dec. 21, the Miami Rescue Mission/Broward Outreach Centers hosted three colossal holiday celebrations as more than 600 volunteers provided gifts, entertainment and a complete Christmas meal to more than 3,000 homeless and hungry individuals, spreading joy thanks to multiple donors and friends.
The festivities kicked off at 9:30 a.m. at the Miami Rescue Mission, 2020 N.W. First Ave., Miami, as groups and individual volunteers provided coffee, fruit and pastries for attendees. Among the organizers who helped supply and collect toys for the needy children of South Florida were ARAMARK, State Farm, The Hackett Group and other organizations.
The Christmas event lasted until around 1:00 p.m. and featured entertainment including the Regeneration Singers (a group of the formerly homeless) as well as performances from various local churches and entertainment groups. The Christmas meal was served at 11:00 a.m. and included all the trimmings. Metro Life Church Pastor Steve Alessi’s message was about love and joy. Sharing the love of God for those people who may not feel lovable is what Christmas is all about, Alessi said. “It’s really nice that we can talk about joy.”
At the Broward Outreach Center in Hollywood, the Christmas celebration began at 10 a.m. with dozens of volunteers helping celebrate with formerly homeless men, women and children. The Christmas meal was served beginning at 11:00 a.m., and Santa arrived around noon with special deliveries for everyone. CVS Pharmacy was the main sponsor, and some of the great giveaways included shoes donated by Running with Sole, cosmetics donated by Ofra Cosmetics and Sunday Riley Cosmetics, clothing donated by Justus Clothing and football tickets donated by the Miami Dolphins.
At the Broward Outreach Center in Pompano Beach the party got started at 3:00 p.m. as dozens of individual volunteers including the Broward College – Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society helped decorate and Santa Claus gave over 200 gifts to the needy children in attendance.
All adults were given a Hope Tote bag filled with hygiene products and clothes. A Christmas feast hosted by Whole Foods Market was served starting at 4:30 p.m., with wonderful music and entertainment.
Rev. Ronald Brummitt, President of the Miami Rescue Mission/ Broward Outreach Centers said, “It is a privilege and a blessing during the Holiday Season to be able to help provide meals and gifts to those in our community who need it the most.
We want our homeless and needy families to know that they are not forgotten and that we love them, as well as, [we] thank all of our donors and volunteers who help us make this wonderful day an awesome celebration for those that otherwise would have nothing, or very little for Christmas and the Holiday Season.
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