8WAYSTO
MULTIPLYYOURGIFT
This Christmas, Let’s Come Together To
Bless Thousands in Our Community
BY INEZ KIRCHNER
WRITER
The San Antonio Beacon shares
how a single donation can help eight
ministries bless thousands of families
throughout the city.
From waking up bright and early on
Christmas morning, to running out to
the tree to see what Santa delivered,
children personify the spirit of the
Christmas season: innocence, happiness
and miracles.
Your Christmas morning memory as
a child might have been similar.
However, this is a far cry from the
memories hundreds of thousands of
people in San Antonio will experience
this year. According to data in the 2017
American Community Survey, 1-Year
Estimates, of the 1.48 million people
living in San Antonio, 17.3 percent, or
more than 257,000 people, live below
the poverty level. Of that total, more
than 97,000 are children under the age
of 18!
Many of these children live in
single-parent households in impoverished
neighborhoods, surrounded by
violence and drugs. It’s difficult for
these families to afford to pay bills, put
food on the table, and meet basic
medical needs, and Christmas
shopping is often left out of the budget.
Adding to the daily stress of providing
for the family’s basic needs and safety,
these parents often feel shame and
deep disappointment, not being able to
give their own children the excitement
and joy so many other children experience
during Christmas.
We are fortunate to live in a
community that has countless events
Toys will be donated and purchased by these ministries to
bring smiles to the children attending.
“ I believe there is a large portion of our city that lives
paycheck to paycheck. Often times, these families
struggle to have enough to cover their basic necessities
and provide for their families. What I love about
Christian Assistance Ministry is that they provide the
support for these families who may not be completely
broke, but maybe just need some help that month.
They’re like the emergency room of social services. You
don’t always need one, but when you do, they’re there.
This organization is a blessing to our city.
Then include the other seven ministries
and we all have the opportunity to
touch our entire city! ”
Hunter Woolfolk,
Co-President DOCUmation
7 www.saBeacon.com November 2018
/www.saBeacon.com